LinuxLinux

Not in textbookNot in textbook

Why Not Just Use Windows?Why Not Just Use Windows?

Windows costs money ($100 to $300, Windows costs money ($100 to $300, typically)typically)Windows is Windows is proprietaryproprietary::– The source code is a closely guarded secretThe source code is a closely guarded secret– You cannot know exactly how it works, or You cannot know exactly how it works, or

modify itmodify it– You can’t even control the security holesYou can’t even control the security holes– You are dependent on Microsoft to provide You are dependent on Microsoft to provide

updates and new versionsupdates and new versions

LinuxLinux

Linux is Linux is open sourceopen source– Everyone who distributes Linux must also Everyone who distributes Linux must also

distribute the source code (usually in C)distribute the source code (usually in C)– That way it can be customized and inspectedThat way it can be customized and inspected

Linux is also Linux is also freefree– Except for some proprietary distributions, Except for some proprietary distributions,

such as Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux, or such as Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux, or Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise

No viruses, no Spyware!No viruses, no Spyware!– Malware exists, but it is very rareMalware exists, but it is very rare

GNUGNU

In 1983, Richard In 1983, Richard StallmanStallman– Began the GNU Began the GNU

projectproject– GNU’s Not UNIXGNU’s Not UNIX– Contains only Contains only

completely free completely free softwaresoftware

LinuxLinux

Linus TorvaldsLinus Torvalds– Started out as a hobbyStarted out as a hobby– Used GNU componentsUsed GNU components– Many people contributeMany people contribute– Over 1 billion dollars’ Over 1 billion dollars’

worth of development worth of development time contributed to Linuxtime contributed to Linux

DistributionsDistributions

There are many versions of LinuxThere are many versions of Linux– See links Linux 1a, b, cSee links Linux 1a, b, c

Ubuntu LinuxUbuntu Linux

Extremely popularExtremely popular

Easy to useEasy to use

Led by Mark Led by Mark ShuttleworthShuttleworth– Was a developer of Was a developer of

Debian LinuxDebian Linux– Made $350 million from Made $350 million from

ThawteThawte– He paid $20 million to He paid $20 million to

go to space as a touristgo to space as a touristLink Linux 1fLink Linux 1f

Dell and LinuxDell and Linux

Dell just started selling computers with Dell just started selling computers with Ubuntu Linux on themUbuntu Linux on them– See video at link Linux 1eSee video at link Linux 1e

Microsoft and LinuxMicrosoft and Linux

Microsoft claims that Microsoft claims that Linux violates their Linux violates their patentspatentsLike the previous SCO Like the previous SCO lawsuit, this probably has lawsuit, this probably has no legal merit but it may no legal merit but it may scare timid corporations scare timid corporations enough to make them enough to make them avoid Linuxavoid Linux– Links Linux 1h, 1jLinks Linux 1h, 1j

Popularity of LinuxPopularity of Linux

25% of servers and 2.8% of desktops ran 25% of servers and 2.8% of desktops ran Linux in 2004, according to one studyLinux in 2004, according to one study– See link Linux 1dSee link Linux 1d

Linux on Web ServersLinux on Web Servers

Linux has been the leading Web server Linux has been the leading Web server platform for ten yearsplatform for ten years– See link Linux 1iSee link Linux 1i

CreditCredit

I got a lot of this from WikipediaI got a lot of this from Wikipedia– Link Linux 1dLink Linux 1d