Intoduction to Linux (GNU Operating System)

Most often, we say that we are using linux operating system. When we say like this, we are wrong. Linux is not an operating system, its just a kernel for GNU operating system designed and coded by Linus Torvalds, a 21 years old student at the University of Helsinki, Finland in April 1991. Here is a quick intro about GNU and Linux kernel-

What is GNU?

GNU is a Unix-like operating system that is free software—it respects your freedom. You can install Linux-based versions of GNU which are entirely free software.

Screenshot of the Trisquel GNU/Linux distribution running OpenOffice.org, a free software office suite comparable to Microsoft Office or Apple iWork

The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop the GNU system. The name “GNU” is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not Unix!”. "GNU" is pronounced g'noo,  as one syllable, like saying "grew" but replacing the r with n.

A Unix-like operating system is a software collection of applications, libraries, and developer tools, plus a program to allocate resources and talk to the hardware, known as a kernel.

The Hurd, GNU's own kernel, is some way from being ready for daily use. Thus, GNU is typically used today with a kernel called Linux. This combination is the GNU/Linux operating system. GNU/Linux is used by millions, though many call it "Linux" by mistake.

What is Free Software?

“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech”, not as in “free beer”.

Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: 

• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). 
• The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 
• The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2). 
• The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.