GnuLinuxIntro - Tech - The Caboteria

---+ Introductions

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.

---+ 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:

<pre>
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.
</pre>

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?

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.

---+++ 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, Mandrake, Debian.

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!

---+ What Can I Do With GNU/Linux?

   * Experiment, learn
   * Surf the web and communicate
   * Run web, email services
   * organize notes (like these), word processing/editing/publishing
   * Write programs

---+ 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

-- Main.TobyCabot - 27 Feb 2003 <br />