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1. General Information

1.1 What is Linux?

Linux is a Unix "Workalike" that is designed for Intel-based x86 machines. Being a work-alike, means that it responds to standard Unix commands and can execute Unix programs. It runs on PC-compatible systems and has become very popular over the past few years. It supports all of the standard Unix commands and the X-Windows GUI interface.

1.2 A Brief History of Linux

 1.2.1 History of Linux in General

Estimated to be running on between 5 and 6 million machines around the world, Linux (pronounced "Lih-nucks") is a freely available computer operating system. In late 1990 a student at Helsinki University, Linus Torvalds, had tried to get a version of UNIX for for his new Intel-based 386. What he found was an outragous cost for such systems. In the spring of 1991 he began writing software codes to handle specific actions on his 386: terminal emulation, a file system, hardware drivers, and more. This was starting to look like an operating system and ended up to be Linux, version 0.01.
By fall, 1991 he was posting information and request for help on his project to Usenet groups, specifically comp.os.minux. It was on this list that he explained his reasons for writing Linux and found a great deal of support (as well as a few detractors :) for his new OS. By 1994, with the release of version 1.0, networking had been added and the number of users was estimated at 100,000. Today, the version number is up to 2.0 and Linux is running on machines with Intel, DEC, and Motorola chipsets. Walk into any major bookstore and there will be a number of books on how to install and run Linux.

1.2.1 History of Linux at SNC

The first linux machines were installed in Cofrin 112 as part of an Operating Systems class. Bill Trost and Dawn Gibson installed linux on a few of the machines to do a project on Internet Radio. The permanent Linux network at St. Norbert College was installed during the spring semester of 1998 as part of the CS 370 Operating Systems class. The network was intended to give students an opportunity to work in a current and stable UNIX environment. The project was carried out by Computer Science students Bill Trost, Mark Meeker, and Libby Wiebel.

1.3 Why Use Linux?

1.3.1 It's Free!

All of the source code for Linux is free. Distributed under the GNU Public License Agreement (GNU stands for GNU is not UNIX) Linux and all of its source code can be freely studied, redistributed, and modified all free of cost. The only stipulation is that if one redistributes the code, it must remain free and under the GNU license (this practice has come to be known as being "copy-lefted"). It is available for download from many web sites around the world and can be purchased from a number of mail-order companies for a small handling fee. Also, support for Linux can be found at a number of web sites and from experienced veterans on a large number of listservs and Usenet groups. Some of the major distributions available include RedHat, Slackware, Debian, and SuSe. These are available both through ftp and through mail-order. A number of Linux installation books also come bundled with a copy.

1.3.2 Inexpensive Hardware

A popular .sig file for linux users is, "Linux: Always a good use for a 486". Linux does not need the fastest hardware available.

1.3.3 Wide Acceptance

With the high cost of UNIX hardware and software its no wonder that companies have looked towards Linux as a viable alternative. Since Linux itself is free and runs on inexpensive and widely avaliable computers, many companies have moved to this platform.
Another reason users have moved towards Linux is standardization. Currently, Linux is POSIX.1 certified and allow users to develop applications that can run on all conforming versions of Linux and UNIX.

1.3.4 Major Users

Aside from students, colleges and universities there are a number of comercial users of Linux. Due to the low cost and its ability to utilize pc hardware its no wonder its being choosen. A large number of companies are using Linux systems for email or web servers. Apache, the most widely used webserver has been ported to Linux and being widely used for that purpose. The United States Postal Service has deployed over 900 Linux based systems throughout the nation to help automatically recognize addresses on pieces of mail. On April 3, 1998 the Wall Street Journal published an article on Linux pointing out how its moving towards being a major operating system. The WSJ reported that it is being used by NASA to manipulate data gathered in space and that is was used by the makers of "Titantic" to render the films special effects.

1.4 Why is SNC Using Linux?

There are a number of reasons why the Computer Science department at St. Norbert is using Linux. Because of its ability to run on PC based hardware it has allowed students to have their "own" Linux box... something that could never be done with other Unix systems. This has allowed students to work with the OS without the lag of other users, and the freedom to tweak the system to their advantage. Along with that, students can do experiements implementing client/server with the number of systems present in the lab. Finally, it gives students access to all of the hardware of the system. They get direct acccess to the terminal and any hardware (like the soundcard) attached to it.

1.5 The Future of Linux

As with any operating system its hard to predict the future of Linux. But, things are looking good. There is an increased number of users and an interest by many to shy away from Microsoft based systems, but still use inexpensive hardware. Plus, with all of the source being freely available no one is dependent on any one company. These together could mean that Linux will be around for a while.

1.6 Creating your own Ubuntu LiveCD

A LiveCD is a special CD that allows you to run Ubuntu linux without having to install it on your hard drive. The operating system simply runs right off your CD! For complete instructions, go to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD.
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Last Revised:October, 2008 by Dawn Rohm