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Linux
is a system that was created as a hobby by a young student, Linus Torvalds,
at the University of Helsinki in Finland. The source code of Linux is freely
available to everyone. Apart from the fact that it's free, Linux functions really
well. More than a decade after its release, Linux has been been adopted worldwide.
Many people do not know the proper meaning of the word Linux. Although many
variations of the word exist, often due to different languages, it is normally
pronounced with a short 'i', like LIH-nucks!
When
Paul O'Malley visited us last week, he help us install the Linux version 'Ubuntu'
- he had loads of patience! He also installed lots of other bits of software
on the computer, such as 'Open Office' and tons of games - which we play when
we arrive in school!! We now know that there is an alternative to Microsoft.
Microsoft used to be perceived as a monopoly and
it was the largest company that made personal computer operating systems, dominating
the market place with over 90% occupation. As a result of this it cost a lot
to have 
computers
in schools because the schools would have to pay for the Windows Operating System
for every computer. However, because Linux was invented in 1991 and has developed
into the system it now is, it can be cheaper in particular, for education. Free
software and freedom to use that software for any legal purpose is fantastic.
It is possible that in the future, Free software and Open Source Software may
stop a single company becoming too powerful in the software market. Linux is
FREE. That means that you can download a full copy of Linux from the internet
and make as many copies as you want. You can give copies to other companies,
or friends without any license issues or worries about pirate software.
Linux is less likely to get viruses than Windows. Most viruses are designed to work on Microsoft Windows. As Linux is a completely different operating system, the best known viruses and email attachments such as .exe, .bat and .com mean nothing at all. Anyway most virus writers seem to use Linux rather than Windows! They do this so that they don't catch their own viruses and can take other virus writers' programmes apart to see how they work and because it is free!
Linux will run on just about any computer and workstation, even Sony Playstations. NASA uses Linux on one of the World's most powerful computers, but it will run just as easily on your pocket computer or laptop.