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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Something to ruffle some penguin feathers: The Unix Hater's Handbook (web.mit.edu)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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This is a 1994 book about the many woes that Unix derived systems brought to sysadmins that were used to other solutions. Considering the number of commands that Linux still uses, it's definitely worth a read.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Linux was in its infancy back then, being "just another flavor" of Unix with "little to tell it apart" (other than being free, like 386BSD). Linus Torvalds began working on his flavor of Unix because MINIX (a micro variant of Unix, aimed at students) licensing didn't allow one to freely distribute it. He also changed internal programs to GNU alternatives wherever possible. The GNU Project was already rolling since 1983, so it already a significant quantity of software written.

Another thing to keep in mind, the internet was still very small, connection was slow and expensive by the time the book came out. The majority of software distribution happened with physical media, like floppy disks and, later on, CDs. Mailing lists and usenet forums could instantly send messages back and forth, but uploading and downloading stuff was severely limited.

So, Linux didn't immediately kill commercial Unix (MacOS has Unix roots, some big companies might still use Solaris), but it being completely free allowed it to "evolve and proliferate like a virus", much like Unix before it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Can confirm, still use Solaris and AIX. They're declining though in favour of Linux.