What is Linux?

From smartphones to cars, supercomputers and home appliances, home desktops to enterprise servers, the Linux operating system is everywhere.

Linux has been around since the mid-1990s and has since reached a user-base that spans the globe. Linux is actually everywhere: It?s in your phones, your thermostats, in your cars, refrigerators, Roku devices, and televisions. It also runs most of the Internet, all of the world’s top 500 supercomputers, and the world’s stock exchanges.

But besides being the platform of choice to run desktops, servers, and embedded systems across the globe, Linux is one of the most reliable, secure and worry-free operating systems available.

Here is all the information you need to get up to speed on the Linux platform.

What is Linux?

Just like Windows, iOS, and Mac OS, Linux is an operating system. In fact, one of the most popular platforms on the planet, Android, is powered by the Linux operating system. An operating system is software that manages all of the hardware resources associated with your desktop or laptop. To put it simply, the operating system manages the communication between your software and your hardware. Without the operating system (OS), the software wouldn?t function.

The Linux operating system comprises several different pieces:

1. Bootloader – The software that manages the boot process of your computer. For most users, this will simply be a splash screen that pops up and eventually goes away to boot into the operating system.
2. Kernel – This is the one piece of the whole that is actually called ?Linux?. The kernel is the core of the system and manages the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. The kernel is the lowest level of the OS.
3. Init system – This is a sub-system that bootstraps the user space and is charged with controlling daemons. One of the most widely used init systems is systemd? which also happens to be one of the most controversial. It is the init system that manages the boot process, once the initial booting is handed over from the bootloader (i.e., GRUB or GRand Unified Bootloader).
4. Daemons – These are background services (printing, sound, scheduling, etc.) that either start up during boot or after you log into the desktop.
5. Graphical server – This is the sub-system that displays the graphics on your monitor. It is commonly referred to as the X server or just X.
6. Desktop environment – This is the piece that the users actually interact with. There are many desktop environments to choose from (GNOME, Cinnamon, Mate, Pantheon, Enlightenment, KDE, Xfce, etc.). Each desktop environment includes built-in applications (such as file managers, configuration tools, web browsers, and games).
7. Applications – Desktop environments do not offer the full array of apps. Just like Windows and macOS, Linux offers thousands upon thousands of high-quality software titles that can be easily found and installed. Most modern Linux distributions (more on this below) include App Store-like tools that centralize and simplify application installation. For example, Ubuntu Linux has the Ubuntu Software Center (a rebrand of GNOME Software? Figure 1) which allows you to quickly search among the thousands of apps and install them from one centralized location.

Why use Linux?

This is the one question that most people ask. Why bother learning a completely different computing environment, when the operating system that ships with most desktops, laptops, and servers works just fine?

To answer that question, I would pose another question. Does that operating system you?re currently using really work ?just fine?? Or, do you find yourself battling obstacles like viruses, malware, slow downs, crashes, costly repairs, and licensing fees?
If you struggle with the above, Linux might be the perfect platform for you. Linux has evolved into one of the most reliable computer ecosystems on the planet. Combine that reliability with zero cost of entry and you have the perfect solution for a desktop platform.

That’s right, zero cost of entry… as in free. You can install Linux on as many computers as you like without paying a cent for software or server licensing.

Let’s take a look at the cost of a Linux server in comparison to Windows Server 2016. The price of the Windows Server 2016 Standard edition is $882.00 USD (purchased directly from Microsoft). That doesn’t include Client Access License (CALs) and licenses for other software you may need to run (such as a database, a web server, mail server, etc.). For example, a single user CAL, for Windows Server 2016, costs $38.00. If you need to add 10 users, for example, that’s $388.00 more dollars for server software licensing. With the Linux server, it?s all free and easy to install. In fact, installing a full-blown web server (that includes a database server), is just a few clicks or commands away (take a look at ?Easy LAMP Server Installation? to get an idea how simple it can be).

If zero cost isn’t enough to win you over? what about having an operating system that will work, trouble free, for as long as you use it? I’ve used Linux for nearly 20 years (as both a desktop and server platform) and have not had any issues with ransomware, malware, or viruses. Linux is generally far less vulnerable to such attacks. As for server reboots, they’re only necessary if the kernel is updated. It is not out of the ordinary for a Linux server to go years without being rebooted. If you follow the regular recommended updates, stability and dependability are practically assured.

Open source

Linux is also distributed under an open source license. Open source follows these key tenants:

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
• The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish.
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
• The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others.

These points are crucial to understanding the community that works together to create the Linux platform. Without a doubt, Linux is an operating system that is ?by the people, for the people?. These tenants are also a main factor in why many people choose Linux. It?s about freedom and freedom of use and freedom of choice.

What is a “distribution?”

Linux has a number of different versions to suit any type of user. From new users to hard-core users, you’ll find a “flavor” of Linux to match your needs. These versions are called distributions (or, in the short form, “distros”). Nearly every distribution of Linux can be downloaded for free, burned onto disk (or USB thumb drive), and installed (on as many machines as you like).

Popular Linux distributions include:

• LINUX MINT
• MANJARO
• DEBIAN
• UBUNTU
• ANTERGOS
• SOLUS
• FEDORA
• ELEMENTARY OS
• OPENSUSE

Each distribution has a different take on the desktop. Some opt for very modern user interfaces (such as GNOME and Elementary OS’s Pantheon), whereas others stick with a more traditional desktop environment (openSUSE uses KDE).

You can check out the top 100 distributions on the Distrowatch.

And don’t think the server has been left behind. For this arena, you can turn to:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Server
• Centos
• SUSE Enterprise Linux

Some of the above server distributions are free (such as Ubuntu Server and CentOS) and some have an associated price (such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Enterprise Linux). Those with an associated price also include support.

Which distribution is right for you?

Which distribution you use will depend on the answer to three simple questions:

• How skilled of a computer user are you?
• Do you prefer a modern or a standard desktop interface?
• Server or desktop?

If your computer skills are fairly basic, you’ll want to stick with a newbie-friendly distribution such as Linux Mint, Ubuntu (Figure 3), Elementary OS or Deepin. If your skill set extends into the above-average range, you could go with a distribution like Debian or Fedora. If, however, you’ve pretty much mastered the craft of computer and system administration, use a distribution like Gentoo. If you really want a challenge, you can build your very own Linux distribution, with the help of Linux From Scratch.

If you’re looking for a server-only distribution, you will also want to decide if you need a desktop interface, or if you want to do this via command-line only. The Ubuntu Server does not install a GUI interface. This means two things your server won’t be bogged down loading graphics and you’ll need to have a solid understanding of the Linux command line. However, you can install a GUI package on top of the Ubuntu Server with a single command like sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop. System administrators will also want to view a distribution with regards to features. Do you want a server-specific distribution that will offer you, out of the box, everything you need for your server? If so, CentOS might be the best choice. Or, do you want to take a desktop distribution and add the pieces as you need them? If so, Debian or Ubuntu Linux might serve you well.

Installing Linux

For many people, the idea of installing an operating system might seem like a very daunting task. Believe it or not, Linux offers one of the easiest installations of all operating systems. In fact, most versions of Linux offer what is called a Live distribution ? which means you run the operating system from either a CD/DVD or USB flash drive without making any changes to your hard drive. You get the full functionality without having to commit to the installation. Once you’ve tried it out, and decided you wanted to use it, you simply double-click the “Install” icon and walk through the simple installation wizard.

Typically, the installation wizards walk you through the process with the following steps (We’ll illustrate the installation of Ubuntu Linux):

• Preparation: Make sure your machine meets the requirements for installation. This also may ask you if you want to install third-party software (such as plugins for MP3 playback, video codecs, and more).
• Wireless setup (if necessary): If you are using a laptop (or machine with wireless), you’ll need to connect to the network, in order to download third-party software and updates.
• Hard drive allocation (Figure 4): This step allows you to select how you want the operating system to be installed. Are you going to install Linux alongside another operating system (called “dual booting”), use the entire hard drive, upgrade an existing Linux installation, or install over an existing version of Linux.
• Location: Select your location from the map.
• Keyboard layout: Select the keyboard for your system.
• User setup: Set up your username and password.

That’s it. Once the system has completed the installation, reboot and you’re ready to go. For a more in-depth guide to installing Linux, take a look at “How to Install and Try Linux the Absolutely Easiest and Safest Way” or download the Linux Foundation’s PDF guide for Linux installation.

Installing software on Linux

Just as the operating system itself is easy to install, so too are applications. Most modern Linux distributions include what most would consider an app store. This is a centralized location where software can be searched and installed. Ubuntu Linux (and many other distributions) rely on GNOME Software, Elementary OS has the AppCenter, Deepin has the Deepin Software Center, openSUSE has their AppStore, and some distributions rely on Synaptic.

Regardless of the name, each of these tools do the same thing? a central place to search for and install Linux software. Of course, these pieces of software depend upon the presence of a GUI. For GUI-less servers, you will have to depend upon the command-line interface for installation.

Let’s look at two different tools to illustrate how easy even the command line installation can be. Our examples are for Debian-based distributions and Fedora-based distributions. The Debian-based distros will use the apt-get tool for installing software and Fedora-based distros will require the use of the yum tool. Both work very similarly. We’ll illustrate using the apt-get command. Let’s say you want to install the wget tool (which is a handy tool used to download files from the command line). To install this using apt-get, the command would like like this:

The sudo command is added because you need super user privileges in order to install software. Similarly, to install the same software on a Fedora-based distribution, you would first su to the super user (literally issue the command su and enter the root password), and issue this command:

That’s all there is to installing software on a Linux machine. It’s not nearly as challenging as you might think. Still in doubt? Recall the Easy Lamp Server Installation from earlier? With a single command:

You can install a complete LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP) server on either a server or desktop distribution. It really is that easy.

More resources

If you’re looking for one of the most reliable, secure, and dependable platforms for both the desktop and the server, look no further than one of the many Linux distributions. With Linux you can assure your desktops will be free of trouble, your servers up, and your support requests minimal.

For more information to help guide you through your lifetime with Linux, check out the following resources:

Windows vs. Linux: a comparison

The dispute over which operating system is the best is almost as old as computers themselves. One thing which should be clear before we get started: there’s not just one answer to that question. Furthermore, the old ‘Windows is for normal users, but pros use Linux’ saying is no longer quite as justified.

In this comparison we will only be looking at client versions of the operating systems. You can find out more about the differences between Linux and Windows in servers in our dedicated article.

Each operating system has its advantages and disadvantages. Our aim in this article is to compare the most significant aspects, so that each user can decide for themselves whether or not to switch or stick.

Windows

Microsoft Windows has been top dog in the world of operating systems for decades, only really suffering losses in recent years. In the mobile sector, Android has gained in popularity, and given the incredible speed at which the smartphone market is developing, Windows is no longer able to keep pace. But if you own a desktop PC or laptop, the chances are that you probably have Windows installed – unless of course you’re an Apple user. But that’s an entirely different, and even older, argument.

Windows has been around since 1985, and ever since its first release it has had a decisive influence on the functions and design of graphical operating systems. Indeed, one of the reasons for its popularity is that most people are familiar with using it. And at the same time, it is the user-oriented design of Windows which has made it so successful. However, Microsoft has also always been subject to a lot of criticism. Windows users all know, for example, that the system crashes from time to time, and the blue screen of death has become legendary.

On the other hand, the fact that Windows has been the market leader for so many years is what gives it one of its biggest advantages as far as users are concerned: the range of software available for Windows is unmatchable. Practically every program released today is compatible with Windows, whereas with other operating systems, it’s not uncommon for there to be no compatible version, because the development effort involved would be too great for too small a target audience. In addition, there are also Microsoft’s own products, primarily the Office Suite, which very few users are willing to do without.

But market leadership also has its disadvantages: Computers running Windows are more frequently subject to cyber attacks. On Windows systems, the favored method of attack is the introduction of viruses and malware. This is due to several factors, including the system’s widespread distribution, the type of users (in that the latter, unlike Linux users, tend to have little in-depth IT knowledge), and the complexity of the program structure, which makes it difficult to understand. Moreover, Microsoft is still somewhat reluctant about adopting the open-source mindset, even though the very fact of making source code visible means it can be more thoroughly checked for security flaws, because it is scrutinized by more people.

Advantages	Disadvantages
✔ Beginner-friendly	✘ Overly complex
✔ Large range of software	✘ More frequently targeted by malware
✔ Pre-installed on many devices	✘ Not open source
✔ Comprehensive driver support	✘ Cost of licenses

Linux

To be precise, ‘Linux’ as such does not actually exist. Its historical background lies in the 1960s, with the development of Unix. However, Unix is a proprietary operating system, which is why computer scientist Linus Torvalds developed an open-source alternative in the early 1990s: the Linux kernel. During the course of the following decades, various distributions were then developed based on this, for example Ubuntu. The kernel itself is only really operational when combined with one of these distributions.

Given that the various Linux distributions are mainly the result of community-driven projects, commercial interests are rarely the focus of further development and distribution. This means that none of the distributions can even hope to equal the marketing power behind Microsoft. It also explains why many end users are only vaguely aware of Linux.

Today, most of the distributions have an understandable graphical user interface (GUI). Nonetheless, newcomers to Linux are still faced with a number of hurdles. Whereas many Windows users never even come into contact with the system console, in many Linux distributions, some applications can only be installed via the terminal. Using console commands is therefore unavoidable in Linux.

Since none of the Linux distributions are as widely used as Windows, many software developers do not consider it worthwhile adapting their products for Linux. Consequently, in terms of compatible software, the choice is far more limited for Linux than for the Microsoft operating system. In the professional sector the difference is not quite so marked (for example, there are now Linux-compatible alternatives to the Office applications), but in the entertainment sector it’s a very different story – computer games for Linux are few and far between for instance.

But while it may be lacking in qualities as far as the entertainment sector goes, Linux has gained fans because it is considered to be particularly stable and adaptable. Whereas Windows attempts to hide as many system settings as possible, with Linux everything is accessible. Users with the right knowledge have much more freedom.

Advantages	Disadvantages
✔ Mostly free	✘ Limited range of software
✔ Mostly open source	✘ Significant barriers to entry for those with little IT knowledge
✔ Very stable
✔ Extensive configuration possibilities

Windows vs. Linux – a bumper comparison table

To help you decide which operating system is best for you, we have compiled the following table to compare the key points.

Windows	Linux
Cost	The latest Windows operating system has many different versions and pricing options.	Most Linux distributions are free of charge (at least for private users).
Licensing model	Proprietary software.	The Linux kernel and most of the distributions are open source and (often) available under a GNU General Public License (GPU).
User-friendliness	From the outset, Windows was designed to be as simple to use as possible, even for users with no IT knowledge.	While it’s true that Ubuntu in particular is relatively easy for Windows users to grasp, with most of the other Linux distributions, there are significant barriers to entry for newcomers.
Graphical user interface	Microsoft set standards with its Windows GUI.	Users of Linux distributions have many freedoms in designing the GUI and can even do away with it altogether.
Support	Windows offers a large range of support services, both within the system and online. There is also comprehensive specialist literature available aimed at users with various levels of knowledge.	Linux support comes from the extensive user community. You can find an answer to almost every problem in the online forums and Wikis.
Software	Most software released is compatible with Windows.	There are far fewer applications designed specifically for Linux, although some Windows programs can run on Linux.
Installing programs	Programs are installed by downloading them from websites or from physical storage media.	In Linux, the majority of programs, drivers and packages are supplied via fixed repositories.
Uninstalling programs	When programs are uninstalled, some components remain on the system.	In Linux, programs are always completely removed.
Hardware	Windows drivers are available for almost any hardware.	Hardware support is more limited. Some drivers are not available immediately.
Reliability	Although the stability of Windows has improved in recent years, most Linux distributions are still far superior in this respect.	Linux and its distributions are known for being very stable to run.
Security	Windows systems are regularly threatened by viruses and other malware.	Linux systems are only attacked very rarely.
Speed	Windows is known for slowing down the longer it is used.	Linux generally runs very quickly.
Updates	Users are sometimes forced to install updates. Most updates are stable.	Each user decides which updates they want to install. These are sometimes experimental and therefore not recommended for all users.
Trial version	You can download and install a trial version of Windows without paying for a license.	Since most of the distributions are free of charge, you can easily try them out. Many of them can even run off a USB flash drive, so you don’t even need to install them.
Types of user	Windows is targeted at all types of user, from occasional to expert. Due to the wide range of Windows-compatible software, the operating system is suitable for professional use as well as for entertainment purposes.	Using Linux requires a minimum level of specialist knowledge. Furthermore, since many computer games are only available in limited versions, Linux distributions tend to be more suited to professional IT users.

Conclusion: which operating system is right for you?

In many ways, Linux beats its competitor, Microsoft. The open-source solutions are known for their stability, security and speed. However, to benefit from these advantages, you have to take a closer look at the operating system. Getting started is not particularly easy with any of the current Linux distributions. To get the system set up perfectly, you will need to acquire quite a bit of knowledge and really get to grips with its subtleties. Without this, you won’t have much luck with Linux.

In contrast, Windows is designed to operate out of the box, and it achieves this somewhat better than its reputation might lead you to believe. In recent years, Microsoft has made significant improvements to its operating system. Users looking for a functional system, which does not require extensive configuration, are especially likely to be satisfied with Windows. Its ease of use combined with extensive compatibility makes Windows a good choice for most users.

However, to get a better idea of which operating system would suit you best, why not simply give Linux a try? Most of the distributions are available online free of charge, and you can even run the second operating system on a virtual machine without making changes to your current system. Another option is to use a bootable USB drive and take advantage of the fact that many Linux distributions do not need to be installed on a hard drive and can run directly off a USB stick. This way you can try out several Linux distributions, which is worth doing, because they can vary quite significantly from one another.