MadisonLinux.org
Title
MadLUG || The Madison (WI) Linux Users Group
Description
About Linux
What is Linux? Linux is a Unix-like operating system begun in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Since then Linux has grown into a mature, modern, powerful, and free operating system for x86 (Intel and AMD), Alpha, Sparc, PowerPC, and other platforms. Linux is an example of an open source project. A variety of companies have been founded that provide Linux distributions, and many others provide Linux applications and support.
Linux proper conists only of the kernel, but the term 'Linux' has come to mean the kernel, libraries, and various applications often packaged with it. These are the Linux distributions. An alternate term is Gnu/Linux - the combining of the Linux kernel with the Gnu tools/utilities from the Free Software Foundation.
Why Linux? Linux is fast, powerful, and stable. Although Unix is nearly 30 years old, the principles upon which it is based are applicable in today's computing world. You can use Linux as an operating system for your desktop or workstation. Linux is also used extensively as a server OS, as well as in Internet Appliances and firewalls. However, Linux is not only for use in servers. It can be used for graphics work (it was used to help render scenes in the movie Titanic), and has the free Photo-Shop-like GIMP, as well as various 3D rendering applications. With Linux you can program in a variety of programming languages, use word processing and other productivity software, surf and chat online, and play games.
