Linux (and GNU / Linux [1], pronounced “gnu linux” [2]) – the general name of Unix-like operating systems on the basis of the same name and the nucleus is collected for libraries and system software, developed under the project GNU. Linux runs on PC-compatible systems family Intel x86, as well as on x86-64, PowerPC, ARM, Alpha AXP, Sun SPARC, Motorola 68000, Hitachi SuperH, IBM S/390, MIPS, HP PA-RISC, AXIS CRIS, Renesas M32R, Atmel AVR32, Renesas H8/300, NEC V850, Tensilica Xtensa, and many others. Unlike most other operating systems, Linux has no single “official” set. Instead, Linux comes in a large number of so-called distributions, in which the Linux kernel is connected to the GNU utilities and other applications (eg, X.org), which make it a full-fledged multi-purpose operating environment. The best-known distributions of Linux are Arch Linux, CentOS, Debian GNU / Linux, Fedora, Gentoo, Mandriva, Mint, openSUSE, Red Hat, Slackware, Ubuntu. Russian distributions – ALT Linux, ASPLinux, Calculate Linux, NauLinuks, AgiliaLinux (formerly MOPSLinux) and Linux XP. Content Main article: The debate about the naming GNU / Linux Operating systems based on GNU and Linux are called «Linux» or «GNU / Linux». The first option is much more popular and more frequently used term supporters of «open source» [3], the second – the supporters of «free software». Although the second version is written in English and sounds like «GNU / Linux» («wildebeest slash Linux”), it is not always convenient in other languages. Therefore, if we can show equality of GNU and Linux, the best way – for example, GNU + Linux (gnu linux plus), GNU-Linux (in French), or GNU con Linux (in Spanish), it is better to use than «GNU Linux» ( “gnu linux”), implying that the core «Linux» was developed or owned by the project GNU. [4] similarly constructed names «TCP / IP» and «Ogg / Vorbis». [Edit] Development Richard Stallman – founder of the project GNU. Linus Torvalds, – the creator of the kernel «Linux». Unlike commercial systems, such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, Linux has no geographic center of development. There is no organization that would be owned by the system, not even a single focal point. Programs for Linux – the result of thousands of projects. Some of these projects are centralized [5] [6], some are concentrated in firms. Many projects are united by hackers [7] from all over the world who know only through correspondence. Create your own project or join an existing, anyone can, if successful, the work will become known to millions of users. Members take part in testing the free software, communicate with developers directly, allowing you to quickly find and fix bugs and new features. History of UNIX-based systems. Linux is a UNIX-compatible, but based on its own source code It is so flexible and dynamic system design, impossible to closed-source projects, governed solely by economic efficiency GNU / Linux. [8] Low cost-free development, well-developed mechanisms for testing and dissemination, involvement of people from different countries with different vision problems, protection code License GPL – all this has led to the success of free software. [9] Of course, such efficiency in development could not interest large companies that began to open their projects. So there Mozilla (Netscape, AOL), OpenOffice.org (ORACLE), a clone of InterBase (Borland) – Firebird, SAP DB (SAP). IBM contributed to the transfer of GNU / Linux on their mainframes. On the other hand, open-source significantly reduces the cost of the development of closed systems for GNU / Linux and lowers the price of the solution for the user. That is why Linux has become a platform, often recommended for products such as DBMSs Oracle, DB2, Informix, SyBase, SAP R3, Domino. The Linux community communicates via user group Linux. [Edit] Application In May 2010 family of operating systems based on the kernel Linux – the third most popular (1.13% [10]) in the world market of desktop computers. The market share of web servers, Linux about 65%. [11] According to the TOP500, Linux is used on 91% of the most powerful supercomputers in the world. [12] There are several major areas, where often you can find Linux: * Servers that require high levels of uptime. * Custom Computer architecture (eg, supercomputers) – because of the possibility of rapid adaptation of the operating system kernel and a large number of software under a non-standard architecture. * Systems for military use (for example, CISM RF) – for security reasons. * Computers built into various devices (ATMs, payment terminals, mobile phones [13], routers, washing machines and even unmanned military vehicles [14]) – due to opportunities to configure Linux on the tasks performed by the device, as well as the lack of fee for each device. * Mass specialized jobs (eg, thin clients, netbooks) – also due to lack of payment for each job, and because of their limited computing power, which may not be sufficient to proprietary operating systems. * The old computers with limited resources, speed and memory, are used for fast desktop environment or window managers are not demanding to resources (eg, LXDE, Openbox, Xfce, Fluxbox). [Edit] Linux Distributions Main article: List of Linux distributions The development of Linux distributions Most users will use to install Linux distributions. Distribution – it is not just a set of programs, and a number of solutions for different user tasks, combined single system installation, management and upgrade packages, configuration and support. The most common distributions in the world [15]: * Ubuntu – distribution based on Debian GNU / Linux and quickly became popular. Supports community, developed Canonical Ltd. The main focus on ease of assembly in the development and use, while there are server and minimal assembly, whose task only to bring stability to Debian. * Linux Mint – distribution based on Ubuntu, and fully compatible with it, which includes the default Java, Adobe Flash and more. * OpenSUSE – distribution, developed by a community with support from Novell. It features easy to configure and maintain through the use of utility YaST. * Fedora – supported by the community and the corporation RedHat, precede the launch of the commercial version of RHEL. * Debian GNU / Linux – a distribution developed by a large community of developers. Used as the basis for the creation of many other distributions. A strict approach to the inclusion of non-free software. * Mandriva Linux – Franco-Brazilian distribution, association of former Mandrake and Conectiva (English). * Slackware – one of the oldest distributions, different conservative approach in the development and use. * Gentoo – distribution entirely from source code. It allows a very flexible configuration of the target system and optimize the performance, therefore, often calls itself the meta-distribution. Focuses on experts and experienced users. * Arch Linux – designed for using the latest versions of programs and the continually updated, which supports the same as the binary and install from source and built on a philosophy of simplicity, KISS, this distro is aimed at competent users who want to have full force and modifiability Linux, but not sacrifice service time. * CentOS – distro GNU / Linux, based on free source code of commercial distribution Red Hat Enterprise Linux company Red Hat, and compatible with him. Term support for each version of CentOS is 7 years (by issuing security updates). The new version of CentOS is published once in 2 years and each version is regularly updated (every 6 months) to support new hardware. As a result, this leads to a secure, easily maintained, reliable, predictable and scalable Linux environment. In addition to these, there are many other distributions, as based on the above, or created from scratch and are often designed to perform a limited number of tasks. Each of them has its own vision, its own set of packages, their advantages and disadvantages. None of them can satisfy all users, and so close to the leaders well, there are other companies and associations of programmers, offering their solutions, their distributions, their services. There are many LiveCD, built on Linux, for example, Knoppix. LiveCD allows you to run Linux directly from CD without installing to your hard drive. For those who want a thorough understanding of Linux can use any of the distributions, but are often used for this purpose so-called source-based distributions, that is a self-assembly of all (or part) of the components of the source code, such as the LFS, Gentoo and CRUX. [Edit] Criticism [Edit] suitability to the role of the desktop OS Linux has been criticized previously for the inconvenience in the use of desktop computers, in particular, because of the noticeable lack of full versions of popular applications (especially office suites) and issues with hardware support [16], which is a serious problem for laptop users, as they usually use a lot of proprietary components. Also, the problem is the complexity of studying in Linux that goes beyond everyday use, and difficulties in setting up the equipment. Moreover, Linux is accused of “imperfection” for many advanced users only. [17] [18] [19] New Linux distributions specifically focused on this issue and significantly improved the situation among the Linux desktop OS: Linux quickly gained popularity among small businesses and home users. In this great credit Gutsy Gibbon (Ubuntu 7.10 codenamed company Canonical). Along with such distributions, as Linspire, Mint, Xandros, OpenSUSE and gOS, Ubuntu (along with its sister Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Xubuntu) flattened most of the acute angles of Linux and polished for use in desktop systems. Without a doubt, Gutsy Gibbon – the most stable, complete and friendly distribution of Linux today. Install and configure it is now easier than Windows. – The Economist, December 2007 [Edit] Criticism from Microsoft Microsoft has launched an extensive criticism of Linux in its campaign «Get the Facts». [20] In particular, Microsoft argues that: * Vulnerability in Windows is less than the distributions Linux. [21] * Windows more reliable and secure than Linux. [22] [23] * The total cost of ownership for Linux above – because of the complexity, cost of training and technical support. [24] * Using Linux imposes on business the burden of responsibility and that “if Linux vendors offer, only minor compensation for possible losses.” [25] (but, in all versions of the license for Windows itself is Microsoft disclaims any responsibility for any losses, pointing in the EULA [26], the maximum compensation of $ 5.) The Corporation has published various studies-case studies to confirm this. However, their credibility is being questioned by various authors, who claim the falsification of these comparisons from Microsoft. [27] [28] In particular, when comparing the number of vulnerabilities, Microsoft has resulted in data about vulnerabilities in a variety of software products, including user-level, is included with some distributions of GNU / Linux, while comparing the number of vulnerabilities, only the operating system of Windows, not having the most to a number of such applications and, of course, never used in such a “bare” form. When comparing the cost of ownership, Microsoft refers to price support for Red Hat Linux server solutions, taking the most expensive subscription (Premium Subscription, clock support by phone or via the web interface) and hardware in the sample is taken very different – for Windows cheap and expensive for Linux. This and similar criticism campaign «Get the Facts» Microsoft forced to turn [29] it and move on to a softer (but with essentially the same flawed) agitation “by comparison.