A brief history of Linux

Volumes of data have been written on Linux on the www. All you have to do is to search the net for keywords like, "Linux History", "Linux Story", "Linus Torvald" and there will be huge data on the requested query. Then what was the need to write this post! This post is written to make people aware of an operating system that is not owned by Microsoft or Apple Inc. The issues addressed in this post are related to Linux operating system; Firstly, what prompted Linus Torvald, the inventor of Linux kernel, to create this OS? Secondly, If Linux is free for distribution then why do only a minuscule percent of population use it? Thirdly, What will it take to make this OS really popular, in terms of usage? To answer all the Qs above, a brief story need to be told. First let me tell you something about UNIX. Before the invention of UNIX, Computers were meant for a single purpose. Computer systems didn't talk to each other in the early days of computing. Even the various computer lines made by the same company often needed interpreters. And forget any interoperability of systems by different vendors! In addition, operating systems very often performed only limited tasks, and only on the machines for which they were written. If a business upgraded to a bigger, more powerful computer, the old operating system probably wouldn't work on the new computer, and often the company's data had to be entered - again - into the new machine. So the scientists and engineers from Bell Labs and GE collaborated with the help of MIT to build a mainframe time sharing system called MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) But over the period the efforts to build an economically viable system failed! So some alternative had to be found out. Ken Thompson came up with a brilliant idea while playing a game "Space Travel" on the comp. He tinkered with the codes and unknowingly created the kernel (Heart of any operating system) for Unix. This laid the foundation for UNIX. In 1985, Professor Andy Tanenbaum wrote a Unix like operating system from scratch, and named it MINIX. A Finnish student named Linus Torvald first came into contact with Unix like systems through his use of this MINIX at the university of Helsinki Finland in Computer Science .Linus Torvald wanted to upgrade MINIX and put in features and improvements, but Andrew Tanenbaum wanted Minix the way it was and so Linus decided write his own kernel. That's why Linus Torvald created a kernel of his own; "Linux".He released Linux on the Internet as an Open Source product and under his own license and then later in 1991 under the GPL (General Public License) . Another Engineer, Richard Stallman, started the FSF (Free Software Foundation) as a development effort to promote the use of Free Software. Stallman recognized the need to write a free and open source Unix-like operating system so that people could have a Unix system under a non-propriety non-restrictive commercial license. The FSF started a project called GNU to fulfill this aim. GNU stands for "GNU is not Unix" (a recursive acronym). By 1991, GNU had already amassed a compiler (GCC- GNU C Compiler), a C library, both very critical components of an operating system, and all associated generic Unix base programs. But, they were missing a kernel, which was going to be called the GNU HURD.The FSF naturally adopted the Linux kernel to complete the GNU system to produce what is known as the GNU/Linux operating system, which is the correct term for all distributions of Linux like Red Hat Linux and SuSE Linux. Thus GNU Linux was born! Remember that Linux is just the Kernel or heart of Op. Sys. not the Op. Sys by it self! Now question #2, Why do a small percent of population uses GNU Linux? To probe this Q, let me make you aware of some facts! Did you know!

• That most of the Windows users never alter the settings/configurations of the system, except for changing wallpapers, screen savers, few peripherals and applications.

• Most PC users use their PC for defined work only. Eg., Gamers do not install office applications on their PC, generally.

• Most PC owners are not much interested in learning other operating systems (or at least having a look at Mac OS, GNU/Linux). They are very much contented with the system they have!

• Most PC users believe that you need to be a geek to tinker with codes, registry editor, jumper settings on motherboard etc etc. (Which is absolutely false!!!)

• Most PC users are unaware of the security issues with Windows. They prefer their "Crashed windows" rather than GNU?Linux or Mac OS. Some people still use Internet Explorer, very much oblivious of the potential threat looming on their desktop.

Although open source wants to replace Microsoft on the desktop, or at least make a serious dent in Microsoft's hegemony, to do that, the open source community must recognize that its primary goals: freedom of choice, freedom of source code, and freedom to alter applications, are not the goals of the average user! Most users of Microsoft products are content once they pay for the product. They are not bothered to change the codes (With Microsoft, that's impossible) even if they are given a chance! So when it comes to GNU/Linux, most people think that it's a geek's operating system and they cannot use it! That can be the valid reason as to why most people on the planet still prefer using Microsoft products and only few people are left using GNU/Linux. So if Linux has to be on every desktop, a strategic change would be needed! There are plenty of Linux Distributors like, Red Hat, SuSe, Vector, Mandrake, Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, Knoppix etc. etc. First of all, there needs to be a standardization in some aspects. So that if a person has to migrate from MS Windows to any of the linux distro, then the choice won't be difficult to make. As there will be some base standard. Also when Open source firmly believes in giving the end users freedom of choice to choose from a variety of Linux distro packs and customization of the system, it must also see to it that the interface of Linux is so easy to operate that there is no "freedom" of choice left but to continue using Linux! Linux can tie up with many computer training centers to teach the Linux operations. It's training must include setup of Linux on a new hard disk, Operation of the Root. Switching to the various GUI's like KDE, Gnome, ICEwm. Installing various application and adding peripherals, with their driver set. This can make a lots of people familiar with the Linux system. On the net, many people vouch that for starters, Ubuntu is the best Distro! That answers the final Question! I firmly believe that with a planned and strategic thinking, Linux will soon be seen on most desktops on the planet! And those who are thinking that why I am promoting Linux so much, well, I am a big fan of the Free Software Foundation and the Open Source! I am not at all a geek or tech nerd. But I would always love to customize the system I use! And more over, why pay and exorbitant amount to a company who gives you an operating system which you cannot customize it in the way you want? Moreover, the hassle does not end here! There are validation checks online, expiry of license over time period, calling off any technical and security support after few years and fines one has to pay for keeping any "pirated" copies. Trust me, you are free from all such headaches while using an open source op. sys.! So... When will you switch to Op. Sys. other than windows??? ;-) O.A.K.