About Linux

Linux was developed by Linux Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. He started his work in 1991. The effort expanded with volunteers contributing code and documentation over the internet. It is currently developed under the GNU public license and is freely available in source and binary form.

Some of its features include:

1. Virtual memory, allowing the system to use disk room the same as RAM memory.
2. Networking with TCP/IP and other protocols.
3. Multiple user capability.
4. Protected mode so programs or user's can't access unauthorized areas.
5. Shared libraries
6. True multitasking
7. X - A graphical user interface similar to windows, but supports remote sessions over a network.
8. Advanced server functionality
   
   • FTP server
   • Telnet server
   • BOOTP server
   • DHCP server
   • Samba server
   • DNS server
   • SNMP services
   • Mail services
   • Network file sharing
   • much, much more...
9. Support of filesystems that other operating systems use such as DOS (FAT), Windows95,98 (FAT32), Windows NT, 2000 (NTFS), Apple, minix, and others
   

Reasons to use:

1. Free
2. Runs on various machine architectures
3. Works well on machines that are not "modern". Recommended 8MB RAM, with 16MB swap drive space. It will run in hard drives as small as 500MB or less.
4. Linux is stable and even if a program crashes, it won't bring the OS down.
5. Source code is available.