View Source: Linux - Waikato Linux Users Group

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Linux is a [Kernel] originally created and released as FreeSoftware by LinusTorvalds. It is also a registered trademark of LinusTorvalds.

Many people use the term "Linux" to refer to entire [LinuxDistribution]s, which include not only the [Kernel] but also the many programs such as the [GNU] shell, [C] [Library], and toolchain that are needed to create and run other programs. There are many (literally thousands of) different flavours of [LinuxDistribution]s. See Category:Distribution for a list of [LinuxDistribution]s we care about, or visit [http://www.distrowatch.com/]. The LinuxFaq might also be of help.

[RMS] insists that these be referred to as [GNU]/Linux distributions, on grounds that the [Kernel] is exchangeable. While these [GNU] systems run on top of the LinuxKernel, you might also use the [Hurd] [Kernel], which you should then refer to as a "[GNU]/[Hurd]" system. In practice, this terminology has not caught on much.

Check out the WellThoughtOutReasonsToRunLinux.

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Part of CategoryOperatingSystem

315 pages link to Linux:

Last edited on Sunday, June 19, 2005 9:13:31 pm by PeterHewett

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