Linux is a family of open sources Unix operating systems. Its features include open sources code, customizability, and reliability. As one of the first operating systems that were developed with the help of the open sources community, Linux is a powerful choice for the home computer. However, Linux can be intimidating for first-time users. Before deciding whether to install Linux on your system, you should know what this operating system is and how it differs from Windows.
Linux is a family of open-source Unix operating systems
There are many types of operating systems available on the market, and the Linux family is one of them. Unlike Windows, Linux is based on open-source Unix. The kernel of Linux, the underlying software, is free and open-source. The kernel is a fundamental building block for Linux, as it enables applications to run on any hardware. This is why Linux has so many distributions and can be used in a wide variety of situations.
It is free
It is widely believed that Linux is free, and the benefits of this are many. It is free to download, install, and modify any “GNU/Linux“-based operating system. However, Linux is not entirely free. Enterprise Linux has non-free licensing terms, and many Linux-based operating systems include proprietary software components that limit their use and ability to sell software packages. For these reasons, many people are hesitant to install Linux on their own computers.
It is customizable
It is possible to customize many aspects of Linux, including the desktop environment and apps. Linux offers more privacy and security options than any other operating system. There are a number of distros, or flavors, of Linux, and each offers its own applications, designs, and customization options. Here is a rundown of the most popular customizations available for all Distros:
It is reliable
Many people wonder why Linux is so reliable. The response to this question is often a simple “it just is”. The answer is a bit more complex than that. Linux is actually more reliable than Windows and Mac OS X because it disables background processes when they are not needed. Linux users often say that their computers are more stable on Linux. They might be correct, but that doesn’t mean that Linux is perfect. Linux has a few hiccups.
It is used by big companies
Many big companies use Linux as their operating system because it’s highly customizable and scalable. For instance, the American multinational corporation Google uses Linux to power its cloud computing and search systems. Other Linux-powered companies include Amazon, which uses its own AMI distribution. Facebook and Twitter do not use Windows or other proprietary operating systems. Google also supports Linux on its own servers, and many small and medium-sized businesses use it as well.
