Thalasar Ventures

Linux is an operating system like Microsoft Windows, MacOS or Unix. It was created as a hobby by Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland. What most people don t know about Linux is that the source is available to anyone. The Linux source code is called the kernel and is the basic Linux operating system. Because the source code or kernel is free, it has enabled hundreds of companies and individuals for their own operating systems based on the Linux operating system release. These operating systems or formats are often referred to as Linux distributions.

Each distribution has its own set of features and functionality that makes it unique. While Linux is generally regarded as free-ware and people associate that with no cost, that is not always the case. Some distributions are available for free download and others are available on CD or floppy and have a small fee associated with them.

Because if the adaptability of Linux has been embraced and supported by a number of operational systems and software programs. For example, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other giants of the computing world embraced Linux and support its ongoing development and openoffice.org and Mozilla run on Linux. U.S. retailer Wal-Mart began selling Linux systems in 2002 – Wal-Mart isn t mainstream, nothing.

What are the benefits of Linux?

Many people fear that Linux will be difficult to work or it will be difficult for software that runs on Linux however Linux is a very basic operating system, compatible with just about any software you need.

Then a standard Linux operating system supports open source software, making it a very economic system, especially if you have your own software. It offers many free or cheap applications including, standard desktop applications such as web browsers, email programs, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics programs, and file managers.

Linux can easily operate as a central server for your business. With Linux you can serve up your own web pages for public consumption and deal with your own email.

Linux doesn t require top of the line hardware, although many recommend at least 256 MB of RAM and at least 4 GB of space on your hard disk.

Linux is considered very stable and doesn t have to be started periodically to maintain performance. Think about the last time you sat at the computer and it froze. Not fun, right? That doesn t happen with Linux as it is properly configured.

Linux isn t always going to be replaced soon and when bugs are found in the system, a developer quickly on the job and often a solution is offered within a matter of hours, not months or years like many other operating systems.