Linux

The educational technology and digital learning wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Draft

Definition

“Linux (IPA pronunciation: /\u02c8l\u026an\u028aks/) is a Unix-like computer operating system family. Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free software and of open source development; its underlying source code is available for anyone to use, modify, and redistribute freely” ([1], retrieved 17:06, 2 April 2007 (MEST))

Distributions

  • Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
  • Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
  • Ubuntu, a newly popular desktop distribution maintained by Canonical that is derived from Debian
  • Red Hat, maintained by the American company of the same name, which also provides a community version in the form of Fedora Core
  • Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
  • SuSE, originally derived from Slackware with the system management software borrowed from Red Hat, maintained by the company Novell
  • Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
  • Knoppix, a LiveCD distribution that runs completely from removable media and without installation to a hard disk
  • Linspire, a commercial desktop distribution based on Debian, and once the defendant in the Microsoft vs. Lindows lawsuit over its former name.

Hints

Mandriva

Links