Difference: GnuLinuxIntro (1 vs. 14)

Revision 1409 May 2006 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
Added:
>
>
(see also GnuLinuxForTecsChange for a page that I wrote to lobby Tecschange to use GNU/Linux)
 

Take I

A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, gave an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system in March/April 2003. The course lasted 6 weeks.

Line: 37 to 39
 

Take III

Changed:
<
<
In the spring of 2006 we spent a few monday evenings installing Ubuntu Breezy and playing around with it.
>
>
In the spring of 2006 we spent a few monday evenings installing Ubuntu Breezy and playing around with it. We used a variety of machines, mostly PIII's. The hardware detection was pretty good - one Compaq didn't have its soundcard configured correctly, and one Dell had too high a resolution set so there were staticky vertical "stripes" on the page.

Then we set out to figure out what people needed beyond the basic installation.

  • Print to Windows printer
  • Skype (proprietary)
  • Real Audio (proprietary)
  • share files between linux machines and linux<->windows
  • recovery from forgotten passwords (using live cd)
 

Revision 1308 May 2006 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 

Take I

A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, gave an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system in March/April 2003. The course lasted 6 weeks.

Line: 35 to 35
  Everybody leaves with a windows cd with firefox and openoffice, a gnoppix cd to explore on their own time, and a 2-page flyer with the course data on it.
Added:
>
>

Take III

In the spring of 2006 we spent a few monday evenings installing Ubuntu Breezy and playing around with it.

Revision 1202 Nov 2004 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 

Take I

A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, gave an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system in March/April 2003. The course lasted 6 weeks.

Changed:
<
<
Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview
Week 2: ShellToolsAndFileSystem
Week 3: install fest
Week 4: WebServerOverview
Week 5: LinuxSupportAndDocumentation
Week 6: Party! Pot-luck hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic beer, interesting music and free-form chat about GNU/Linux.
>
>

Course Outline

  1. GnuLinuxOverview: TobyCabot – March 5, 2003
  2. ShellToolsAndFileSystem: Forrest Sutton, TobyCabot & Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – March 12, 2003
  3. Installation of Linux: Forrest Sutton – March 19, 2003
  4. WebServerOverview: TobyCabot – March 26, 2003
  5. LinuxSupportAndDocumentation: Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – April 2, 2003
  6. Party! Pot-luck hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic beer, interesting music and free-form chat about GNU/Linux – April 9, 2003
 

Take II

Line: 31 to 33
 
    • servers, desktops, etc
    • discussion of students' ideas
Changed:
<
<
Everybody leaves with a windows cd with firefox and openoffice, a knoppix cd to explore on their own time, and a 2-page flyer with the course data on it.
>
>
Everybody leaves with a windows cd with firefox and openoffice, a gnoppix cd to explore on their own time, and a 2-page flyer with the course data on it.
 

Revision 1129 Oct 2004 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 

Take I

A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, gave an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system in March/April 2003. The course lasted 6 weeks.

Line: 23 to 23
 
    • Operation

4 half-hours:

Changed:
<
<
  • history/background - toby
>
>
 
  • open source tools (on windows) - nathan
    • reboot into knoppix
  • open source tools on linux - nathan

Revision 1023 Oct 2004 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
Changed:
<
<
A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, are giving an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system. The course is scheduled to last 6 weeks.
>
>

Take I

A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, gave an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system in March/April 2003. The course lasted 6 weeks.

  Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview
Week 2: ShellToolsAndFileSystem
Line: 8 to 10
 Week 5: LinuxSupportAndDocumentation
Week 6: Party! Pot-luck hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic beer, interesting music and free-form chat about GNU/Linux.
Added:
>
>

Take II

A couple of people are planning to teach one evening about GNU/Linux on Monday, November 1 2004 as one part of a "Computer Essentials" course.

  • Software
    • Licensing and Legal Alternatives
    • Open Source and other "shareware"
  • GNU/Linux
    • Overview
    • Installation
    • Operation

4 half-hours:

  • history/background - toby
  • open source tools (on windows) - nathan
    • reboot into knoppix
  • open source tools on linux - nathan
  • discussion about places the students can use linux - nathan & toby
    • servers, desktops, etc
    • discussion of students' ideas

Everybody leaves with a windows cd with firefox and openoffice, a knoppix cd to explore on their own time, and a 2-page flyer with the course data on it.

Revision 913 Apr 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, are giving an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system. The course is scheduled to last 6 weeks.

Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview

Line: 6 to 6
 Week 3: install fest
Week 4: WebServerOverview
Week 5: LinuxSupportAndDocumentation
Changed:
<
<
Week 6: TBD
>
>
Week 6: Party! Pot-luck hors d'oeuvres, non-alcoholic beer, interesting music and free-form chat about GNU/Linux.

Revision 802 Apr 2003 - ezf

Line: 1 to 1
 A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, are giving an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system. The course is scheduled to last 6 weeks.

Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview
Week 2: ShellToolsAndFileSystem
Week 3: install fest
Week 4: WebServerOverview

Changed:
<
<
Week 5: Support and Documentation
>
>
Week 5: LinuxSupportAndDocumentation
 Week 6: TBD

Revision 724 Mar 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, are giving an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system. The course is scheduled to last 6 weeks.

Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview
Week 2: ShellToolsAndFileSystem
Week 3: install fest

Changed:
<
<
Week 4: Web servers
>
>
Week 4: WebServerOverview
 Week 5: Support and Documentation
Week 6: TBD

Revision 606 Mar 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
Changed:
<
<

Introductions

>
>
A few people, working under the aegis of TecsChange, are giving an introductory course on the GNU/Linux operating system. The course is scheduled to last 6 weeks.
 
Changed:
<
<
Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Why Do You Want To Learn About GNU/Linux?

Ask around, get feedback on why are people here, and what would they like to learn.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to GNU/Linux (this class!): TobyCabot – March 5, 2003
  2. Desktop Apps and Tools / Shell and File System: Forrest Sutton, TobyCabot & Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – March 12, 2003
  3. Installation of Linux: Forrest Sutton – March 19, 2003
  4. Web Servers: TobyCabot – March 26, 2003
  5. Support and Documentation: Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – April 2, 2003
  6. To be determined – April 9, 2003

What is GNU/Linux?

Linux is a "kernel" which is a small program that's the heart of the computer operating system. Let's quote from the source code:

WHAT IS LINUX?

  Linux is a Unix clone written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with
  assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net.
  It aims towards POSIX compliance.

  It has all the features you would expect in a modern fully-fledged
  Unix, including true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries,
  demand loading, shared copy-on-write executables, proper memory
  management and TCP/IP networking.

GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or get into a lot of trouble.

GNU/Linux "distributions" package GNU/Linux and other programs on CDROM and make it easy (at least easier) to install and run. There are many distributions, but a few important ones are Debian, Mandrake, and Red Hat. Red Hat is the most popular, Mandrake is good for desktop machines, and Debian is very high-quality but is considered more difficult to install.

What is Unix?

Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. First portable OS. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time (it's suitable for use as a server).

For many years Unix ran only on expensive minicomputers. Even today, large Unix systems from companies like Sun and HP can cost over a million dollars.

Unix servers are used in many companies for "mission critical" tasks such as running large databases, accounting systems, billing systems, etc.

Unix History

Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. The research arm, called "Bell Labs", performed basic and applied research. Not allowed to sell SW but were paid to do research. Long history of many innovations including invention of information theory, communications satellites, transistor, etc.

Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson.

UC Berkeley, the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD).

The Unix code written by AT&T (eventually called System V or "SysV") was eventually sold several times and is now owned by a company called SCO.

Free Software/Open Source History

Richard Stallman, GNU Project, GPL, Free Software Foundation.

The GPL license was designed to ensure that users would always have four freedoms (quoting the GNU web site):

  • 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.

Other licenses are available, many are "Open Source". BSD, Apache, Artistic, Public Domain.

Other Free Software/Open Source success stories:

  • Apache webserver (60% of all web sites on the Internet)
  • BIND (runs name/address translations)
  • perl (most popular web site scripting language), gcc (compiles GNU/Linux)

"The Cathedral and the Bazaar"

GNU/Linux History

Linus Torvalds (a Swedish-speaking Finn) started in 1990/1991 while he was a student in Helsinki. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian. Reached 1.0 milestone in 1994, now at 2.4 (soon 2.6).

Development happens on multiple "branches" at the same time. Odd-numbered branches (2.1, 2.3, 2.5 etc) are for developers, when they're ready for the rest of us they're renumbered as even-numbered branches (2.2, 2.4, someday 2.6).

What does GNU/Linux look like? (Show a command-line login)

X Windows. (Show KDE)

GUI environments: GNOME, KDE.

What Makes Unix Special?

Elegant, consistent, software tools that can be used alone or in combination.

Do one thing and do it well.

Build your own tools, assemble small tools into larger ones; pipes and scripts; everything's a file. Teach people to fish.

What Makes Linux Special?

Unix power on inexpensive, commodity hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it. Have fun!

Last but not least, Linux has a fun mascot: Tux the penguin.

What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

  • Desktop environments (KDE, GNOME)
  • Surf the web and communicate (Mozilla, Konqueror, KMail, )
  • Run web, email services (Apache, Sendmail)
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing (OpenOffice, KOffice, GNOME Office)
  • Write programs
  • Experiment, learn

Does GNU/Linux Have Any Weaknesses?

  • fewer programs for young kids.
  • different device drivers for hardware (can't use Win32 drivers)
  • Interoperability with MS office tools (good but not great)
  • fewer commercial programs than other platforms (but improving)

Where Do I Go For More Info?

  • books
  • mailing lists and discussion groups
  • web sites

-- TobyCabot and EdF - 27 Feb 2003

>
>
Week 1: GnuLinuxOverview
Week 2: ShellToolsAndFileSystem
Week 3: install fest
Week 4: Web servers
Week 5: Support and Documentation
Week 6: TBD

Revision 505 Mar 2003 - ezf

Line: 1 to 1
 

Introductions

Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Line: 7 to 7
  Ask around, get feedback on why are people here, and what would they like to learn.
Added:
>
>

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to GNU/Linux (this class!): TobyCabot – March 5, 2003
  2. Desktop Apps and Tools / Shell and File System: Forrest Sutton, TobyCabot & Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – March 12, 2003
  3. Installation of Linux: Forrest Sutton – March 19, 2003
  4. Web Servers: TobyCabot – March 26, 2003
  5. Support and Documentation: Ed Frankenberry (EdF) – April 2, 2003
  6. To be determined – April 9, 2003
 

What is GNU/Linux?

Linux is a "kernel" which is a small program that's the heart of the computer operating system. Let's quote from the source code:

Line: 26 to 35
  GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or get into a lot of trouble.
Changed:
<
<
GNU/Linux "distributions" package GNU/Linux and other programs on CDROM and make it easy (at least easier) to install and run.
>
>
GNU/Linux "distributions" package GNU/Linux and other programs on CDROM and make it easy (at least easier) to install and run. There are many distributions, but a few important ones are Debian, Mandrake, and Red Hat. Red Hat is the most popular, Mandrake is good for desktop machines, and Debian is very high-quality but is considered more difficult to install.
 

What is Unix?

Line: 99 to 108
 
  • Desktop environments (KDE, GNOME)
  • Surf the web and communicate (Mozilla, Konqueror, KMail, )
  • Run web, email services (Apache, Sendmail)
Changed:
<
<
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing (OpenOffice, KOffice, GNOME Office)
>
>
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing (OpenOffice, KOffice, GNOME Office)
 
  • Write programs
  • Experiment, learn

Revision 404 Mar 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 

Introductions

Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Line: 26 to 26
  GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or get into a lot of trouble.
Added:
>
>
GNU/Linux "distributions" package GNU/Linux and other programs on CDROM and make it easy (at least easier) to install and run.
 

What is Unix?

Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. First portable OS. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time (it's suitable for use as a server).

Line: 40 to 42
  Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson.
Changed:
<
<
UC Berkeley.
>
>
UC Berkeley, the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD).

The Unix code written by AT&T (eventually called System V or "SysV") was eventually sold several times and is now owned by a company called SCO.

 

Free Software/Open Source History

Richard Stallman, GNU Project, GPL, Free Software Foundation.

Changed:
<
<
Other Free Software/Open Source successes:
>
>
The GPL license was designed to ensure that users would always have four freedoms (quoting the GNU web site):

  • 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.

Other licenses are available, many are "Open Source". BSD, Apache, Artistic, Public Domain.

Other Free Software/Open Source success stories:

  • Apache webserver (60% of all web sites on the Internet)
  • BIND (runs name/address translations)
  • perl (most popular web site scripting language), gcc (compiles GNU/Linux)
 
Changed:
<
<
  • Apache webserver
  • BIND
  • perl, gcc
>
>
"The Cathedral and the Bazaar"
 

GNU/Linux History

Changed:
<
<
Linux Torvalds. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian.
>
>
Linus Torvalds (a Swedish-speaking Finn) started in 1990/1991 while he was a student in Helsinki. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian. Reached 1.0 milestone in 1994, now at 2.4 (soon 2.6).

Development happens on multiple "branches" at the same time. Odd-numbered branches (2.1, 2.3, 2.5 etc) are for developers, when they're ready for the rest of us they're renumbered as even-numbered branches (2.2, 2.4, someday 2.6).

What does GNU/Linux look like? (Show a command-line login)

X Windows. (Show KDE)

  GUI environments: GNOME, KDE.
Line: 70 to 92
  Unix power on inexpensive, commodity hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it. Have fun!
Added:
>
>
Last but not least, Linux has a fun mascot: Tux the penguin.
 

What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

Changed:
<
<
  • Experiment, learn
  • Surf the web and communicate
  • Run web, email services
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing
>
>
  • Desktop environments (KDE, GNOME)
  • Surf the web and communicate (Mozilla, Konqueror, KMail, )
  • Run web, email services (Apache, Sendmail)
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing (OpenOffice, KOffice, GNOME Office)
 
  • Write programs
Added:
>
>
  • Experiment, learn
 

Does GNU/Linux Have Any Weaknesses?

Line: 91 to 116
 
  • mailing lists and discussion groups
  • web sites
Changed:
<
<
-- TobyCabot - 27 Feb 2003
>
>
-- TobyCabot and EdF - 27 Feb 2003

Revision 304 Mar 2003 - ezf

Line: 1 to 1
 

Introductions

Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Why Do You Want To Learn About GNU/Linux?

Changed:
<
<
Ask around, get feedback on why people want to be there, what they want to learn.
>
>
Ask around, get feedback on why are people here, and what would they like to learn.
 

What is GNU/Linux?

Line: 28 to 28
 

What is Unix?

Changed:
<
<
Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. First portable OS. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time.
>
>
Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. First portable OS. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time (it's suitable for use as a server).
 
Changed:
<
<
For many years Unix ran only on very expensive minicomputers, and even today Unix machines from companies such as Sun and HP can cost more than 1 million dollars.
>
>
For many years Unix ran only on expensive minicomputers. Even today, large Unix systems from companies like Sun and HP can cost over a million dollars.
 
Changed:
<
<
Unix is used in many companies for very important jobs such as running large databases, accounting systems, billing systems, etc.
>
>
Unix servers are used in many companies for "mission critical" tasks such as running large databases, accounting systems, billing systems, etc.
 

Unix History

Changed:
<
<
Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. They maintained a research lab called "Bell Labs" in New Jersey. Not allowed to sell SW but were paid to do research. Invented information theory, transistor.
>
>
Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. The research arm, called "Bell Labs", performed basic and applied research. Not allowed to sell SW but were paid to do research. Long history of many innovations including invention of information theory, communications satellites, transistor, etc.
  Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson.
Line: 54 to 54
 

GNU/Linux History

Changed:
<
<
Linux Torvalds. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat.
>
>
Linux Torvalds. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat, Mandrake, Debian.
 
Changed:
<
<
GNOME, KDE.
>
>
GUI environments: GNOME, KDE.
 

What Makes Unix Special?

Changed:
<
<
Elegant, consistent, software tools.
>
>
Elegant, consistent, software tools that can be used alone or in combination.
  Do one thing and do it well.
Line: 68 to 68
 

What Makes Linux Special?

Changed:
<
<
Unix power on cheap hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it. Have fun!
>
>
Unix power on inexpensive, commodity hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it. Have fun!
 

What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

  • Experiment, learn
Changed:
<
<
  • Surf the web
>
>
  • Surf the web and communicate
 
  • Run web, email services
Added:
>
>
  • organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing
 
  • Write programs

Does GNU/Linux Have Any Weaknesses?

Changed:
<
<
  • Programs for young kids.
>
>
  • fewer programs for young kids.
  • different device drivers for hardware (can't use Win32 drivers)
 
  • Interoperability with MS office tools (good but not great)
Added:
>
>
  • fewer commercial programs than other platforms (but improving)
 

Where Do I Go For More Info?

Changed:
<
<
  • web
>
>
  • books
  • mailing lists and discussion groups
  • web sites
  -- TobyCabot - 27 Feb 2003

Revision 203 Mar 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
 

Introductions

Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Why Do You Want To Learn About GNU/Linux?

Added:
>
>
Ask around, get feedback on why people want to be there, what they want to learn.
 

What is GNU/Linux?

Linux is a "kernel" which is a small program that's the heart of the computer operating system. Let's quote from the source code:

Line: 22 to 24
  management and TCP/IP networking.
Changed:
<
<
GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or cause problems.
>
>
GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or get into a lot of trouble.
 

What is Unix?

Changed:
<
<
Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time.
>
>
Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. First portable OS. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time.
  For many years Unix ran only on very expensive minicomputers, and even today Unix machines from companies such as Sun and HP can cost more than 1 million dollars.
Line: 34 to 36
 

Unix History

Changed:
<
<
Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. They maintained a research lab called "Bell Labs" in New Jersey.
>
>
Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. They maintained a research lab called "Bell Labs" in New Jersey. Not allowed to sell SW but were paid to do research. Invented information theory, transistor.
  Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson.
Line: 54 to 56
  Linux Torvalds. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat.
Added:
>
>
GNOME, KDE.
 

What Makes Unix Special?

Elegant, consistent, software tools.

Do one thing and do it well.

Changed:
<
<
Build your own tools, assemble small tools into larger ones.
>
>
Build your own tools, assemble small tools into larger ones; pipes and scripts; everything's a file. Teach people to fish.
 

What Makes Linux Special?

Changed:
<
<
Unix power on cheap hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it.
>
>
Unix power on cheap hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it. Have fun!
 

What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

Added:
>
>
  • Experiment, learn
  • Surf the web
  • Run web, email services
  • Write programs
 

Does GNU/Linux Have Any Weaknesses?

Added:
>
>
  • Programs for young kids.
  • Interoperability with MS office tools (good but not great)
 

Where Do I Go For More Info?

Added:
>
>
  • web
 -- TobyCabot - 27 Feb 2003

Revision 127 Feb 2003 - TobyCabot

Line: 1 to 1
Added:
>
>

Introductions

Introduce myself, ask the class to introduce themselves.

Why Do You Want To Learn About GNU/Linux?

What is GNU/Linux?

Linux is a "kernel" which is a small program that's the heart of the computer operating system. Let's quote from the source code:

WHAT IS LINUX?

  Linux is a Unix clone written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with
  assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net.
  It aims towards POSIX compliance.

  It has all the features you would expect in a modern fully-fledged
  Unix, including true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries,
  demand loading, shared copy-on-write executables, proper memory
  management and TCP/IP networking.

GNU/Linux is an operating system that's built from the Linux kernel and many other programs. GNU/Linux is different from many other operating systems because you can get the source code and build it, learn from it, improve it, or cause problems.

What is Unix?

Unix is an operating system that was developed at Bell Laboratories in the early 1970's. It's a multi-user operating system, so many people can use it at the same time.

For many years Unix ran only on very expensive minicomputers, and even today Unix machines from companies such as Sun and HP can cost more than 1 million dollars.

Unix is used in many companies for very important jobs such as running large databases, accounting systems, billing systems, etc.

Unix History

Back in the early 1970's AT&T was the telephone monopoly in the US. They maintained a research lab called "Bell Labs" in New Jersey.

Dennis Ritchie, Ken Thompson.

UC Berkeley.

Free Software/Open Source History

Richard Stallman, GNU Project, GPL, Free Software Foundation.

Other Free Software/Open Source successes:

  • Apache webserver
  • BIND
  • perl, gcc

GNU/Linux History

Linux Torvalds. Linux Kernel Mailing List. Distros: SLS, Slackware, Red Hat.

What Makes Unix Special?

Elegant, consistent, software tools.

Do one thing and do it well.

Build your own tools, assemble small tools into larger ones.

What Makes Linux Special?

Unix power on cheap hardware. Learn about computers. Participate in improving it.

What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

Does GNU/Linux Have Any Weaknesses?

Where Do I Go For More Info?

-- TobyCabot - 27 Feb 2003

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