Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Stupid question, but what makes Linux, linux? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Apart from being open source what is Linux? Could I not create my own operating system that is different to windows or Macos and call it Steve, again there might be an awnser for this and sounds stupid but its more out of curiosity.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Linus.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's actually more true than most people are aware of. Torvalds has been controlling what goes into the Linux kernel for the past 30 years and he's been mainly motivated by what is best for the user base as a whole rather than how to extract the most profit. This is what sets Linux apart from pretty much any other OS on the planet. He may be an ass personality wise, but we all owe this guy a massive debt.