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History of Linux

Several years ago, when the Net was still in it's infancy, an operating system was in the process of being born. Linux is the brainchild of Linus Torvalds who developed the core Kernel components. This Kernel is basically a set of programming code that is loaded into a computer's memory. And specifies how the computer's processor will handle core functions like memory management, process priority assimilation, file system management, and multitasking capabilities. Linus did not build the Linux Kernel on his own. Many programmers played an important role in getting the Linux Kernel off the ground. Linus then used the connectivity of the Internet to help him communicate with the people involved in the Kernel's development.

Even though the Linux Kernel was dreamt up and developed almost completely by Linus Torvalds. It was just the initial stages of the Kernel that were developed by him. Subsequent versions of the Linux Kernel were developed and researched by many individual programmers from all over the world. The final formatting and the blueprints of the Kernel are approved by Linus Torvalds only if he so wishes. He is the benevolent dictator' whose opinion is respected. And he can prevent a new Kernel build from being released under the name of Linux. This 'permission' is not a written rule or a recorded regulation of any sort. But a kind of an honour that we Linux geeks place on the fact that without Linus Torvalds work, we'd not be bringing out a new version of something that didn't exist any way. Often, avid fans or computer geeks release a sub-Kernel that's termed a flavoured release. And are basically an enhanced Kernel where the Kernel blueprint has effectually been modified so as to fill a certain set of needs or a certain requirement of the programmer.

A copyright law called the GNU GPL protects the Linux Kernel. GNU is an online institution that is a supporter of the Open Source community. GNU is an acronym for "GNU is Not Unix." And in time the GNU General Public Licence has come to be referred to as just the GPL. It is a set of terms and conditions abiding which, any source code is the exclusive property of the writer. No software company or individual may assume the rights to claim the code as their own. Sometimes, it is noticed as in large companies, they actually buy out smaller companies. The GPL places the ownership of the entire Linux source code and it's variants under the ownership of its users. This makes buying out the Linux community a practical impossibility. And the GPL protects the Linux community's interests very efficiently.

Moving ahead, the Linux community began having a much greater circle of influence. The Linux community has reached a stage where its users have started developing for its own enhancement. Sites all over the net like Source Forge, Fresh Meat, and Andover are perfect examples of Open Source-based communities flourishing in today's world. The Open Source community has also found sponsors from the real world like VA Linux Systems and IBM. These companies are actively participating in the Open Source arcade. And are promoters of Linux and the community that it stands for. Linux, being freely available, powerful and an infinitesimally stable (as compared to Windows) operating system has proved to be a revolutionary product in today's world.

It has helped mould a part of our society. And has changed the way that we interpret the software industry. Linux has also changed the way that computers on the Net communicate. Linux has basically made enough of a difference to prove to us its power. Linux is the Future!

A. Siddhartha Angiaras Acharya
[email protected]

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