Linux operating system is official. What is the Linux operating system?

Hello, dear friend! Today I decided to make an informational article for you, the topic of which is operating system Linux (Linux). Perhaps this is the only alternative and quite a replacement for the popular and well-known Windows OS from Microsoft.

Let's plunge into the world of history and see where the legs grow from and understand not only the first steps, but also briefly go through the entire development path of Linux.

I know that there are people who like to listen rather than read texts, so everyone who wants to watch the video:

In the capital of Finland, Helsinki, there lived a young guy, Linus Torvalds, who in 1988 entered the University of Helsinki to study computer science. At school, the student excelled in mathematics and physics, that is, he was very capable of learning. And so, in 1991, a young programmer, inspired by Andrew Tanenbaum’s book about the Minix operating system, set about creating his own operating system, or, to be precise, developing the kernel of the GNU/Linux operating system, which today is one of the first most popular among free operating systems systems

I haven't used Linux myself, but after reading a lot of material on this topic, I realized that it was worth a try. According to many, Linux OS will not make you experience any difficulties when working with it. Although there are many who allegedly spread rumors about the “unadaptability” of the majority of computer users to the system.

In fact, even a person who has little understanding of PCs and laptops will be able to install and configure the OS in a couple of hours and at the same time work with all applications without problems.

Features and advantages of Linux OS!

Free Linux.

IN present moment The fact that the entire operating system is free is quite a virtue. Those who use Windows should understand that this is most likely a pirated version. Yes, yes, that’s exactly how it is, but don’t be alarmed, most people have pirated versions installed, so breathe easy. License for Windows and licensed programs This system costs money and, as a rule, no one is willing to pay. There is an obvious solution: install Linux with a set of thousands free programs. Of course, the programs differ from the usual Windows applications, but their performance is in no way inferior. If you get used to one OS, get used to another.

Linux reliability.

Indeed, Linux is a reliable system, and programs installed here will not freeze, unlike Windows, which will certainly reduce the speed of the entire computer some time after installing the system.

Linux Security.

Linux is virtually virus-free. The unique design of the operating system excludes the operation of malicious programs. All this allows you not to acquire an antivirus, which also slows down the work of your iron assistant and wastes your time.

Open source Linux.

YOU can easily view the Linux source data, which allows you to modify the code based on your desires. You can expand the functionality, create programs, write some additions.

At first, Linux was empty. Over time, volunteers developed programs for the OS and refined the system. Later, huge communities of programmers were formed, who, in turn, constantly improve and continue to develop Linux to this day, developing new programs.

It would take a very long time to talk about all the achievements in detail, so I’ll just say that the pace of development today is very high.

Linux user interface.

On a Linux system, users perform workflows using the command line (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI), or through the associated hardware controls.

Generally, a graphical user interface is preferred, where the command line is also available, through a terminal emulator window or in a separate virtual console.

Programs developed for Linux are not actually high level accessible exclusively via the command line.

The command line is a fairly simple mechanism for interprocess communication.

Most popular on computers user interfaces, based on desktop environments such as KDE Plasma Desktop, GNOME and Xfce.

Linux development.

An important fact about Linux is that the system runs on a variety of processors of different architectures.

If you compare Windows or Mac OS X with Linux, there is one very interesting difference: Linux does not have a development center. There are no main organizations, owners, single centers; the developed programs are the result of thousands of projects. They are everywhere, some projects are represented by companies, other projects are an association of hackers from different parts of the world. You too can join this truly global cause, develop a program, contribute and open up new opportunities for a million users. By the way, users can directly participate in testing and negotiate with developers, which allows them to correct errors, make innovations and adjustments.

Troubles and innovations.

Linux is enough long time was criticized for the inconvenience of use on desktop computers, especially due to the noticeable lack of full-fledged versions of well-known programs (usually office suites) and problems with hardware support. The disadvantages of the system were the difficulty of learning and difficulties in setting up the equipment.

New Linux distributions deliberately focused on this issue and significantly improved the position of Linux among desktop operating systems.

Distribution(English distribute - distribute) is a form of software distribution.

Thanks to this, Linux quickly gained the respect and popularity of home users and small businesses. All thanks to the Gutsy Gibbon operating system (Ubuntu 7.10) from Canonical.

You can download Linux kernel distributions by entering the following query in a search engine: Linux download and follow the first tabs, everything is described there quite logically!

This is where the issue comes to an end; information on this topic will not be superfluous to anyone. If you have a creative desire to understand this topic better, then you can safely begin to act. I can wish you perseverance and good luck!

And I was with you, Programmer!

Distributions / Not demanding on resources

Linux distributions that are not demanding on computer resources. Distributions can run on weak computers and consume little RAM.

Some distributions are already “tailored” for weak platforms, and some require manual compilation and configuration. The downside of performance usually lies in more simple interface, no effects and possibly more complex installation and configuration.

MX Linux

MX Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution based on the Debian stable.

ReactOS

ReactOS is a free, open-source operating system source code compatible with Windows drivers and programs.

Xubuntu

Xubuntu is a distribution based on Ubuntu that uses the Xfce desktop environment. The distribution has good set pre-installed software, high-quality interface and can work on relatively weak computers.

Manjaro

Manjaro is a Linux distribution based on Arch Linux, has a simple graphical installer and a “pre-installed” graphical environment (XFCE, Openbox and others). Manjaro is much easier to install compared to Arch Linux. The distribution uses its own repositories, but is compatible with AUR (Arch User Repositories).

SliTaz

SliTaz is a very small Linux distribution for computers with low amounts of random access memory (RAM) and for older computers. The distribution image takes only 35 megabytes and is completely loaded into RAM, ensuring high speed. SliTaz can be installed on hard drive or work in LiveCD mode.

Damn Small Linux

Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a very small Linux distribution. Literally translating the name of the distribution kit - damn little Linux.

Linux Mint (Linux Mint)

The distribution size is only 50MB. Damn Small Linux is designed for use on weak (old) computers, as it consumes very few resources.

Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Linux is a tiny Linux distribution that runs very fast. The iso image size is only about 12 megabytes. The distribution can run on very weak computers. The distribution does not contain built-in software. Tiny Core Linux is unlikely to be suitable for beginners, as it requires experience with Linux.

Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is a small, fast and functional Linux distribution. The distribution size is only about 85MB. Contains a large set of installed programs and has a full-fledged graphical interface. Can run from LiveCD and work entirely from RAM. Not demanding on computer resources.

Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a lightweight distribution based on Ubuntu, with an LXDE graphical environment. Designed mainly for use on weak computers.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a stable, fast Linux distribution that can be completely customized. Designed for experienced Linux users. Uses only stable versions of packages. The distribution is optimized for i686 and x86-64 architectures.

Gentoo

Gentoo is a fast Linux distribution that installs packages from source code. Gentoo aims to be as flexible as possible.

Distributions based on:

Linux Mint - Linux champion!

Today I downloaded Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon, release candidate (see the official website). Since before this I also had Linux Mint 16, at first glance nothing has changed, except perhaps the desktop wallpaper, where instead of the inscription Linux Mint 16 one admires the inscription Linux Mint 17. But this, of course, is only the external side.

What has changed is that Linux Mint 17 is based on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS - a version of Ubuntu with long-term support (how to install Ubuntu described HERE).

So this system will not need to be reinstalled for at least 2 years.

I will not describe the installation of Linux Mint 17, since it is installed as standard; you can read about this in the article on installing Linux. I installed everything without any problems, I think you won’t have any problems either. What's interesting about this candidate release?

Since this is a candidate release, it still has some bugs, many of which will disappear when installing updates.

Important information about Linux Mint 17:

The login screen freezes when logging in in German. (Unlucky for the Germans:(
The NVIDIA Optimus video card is not working yet. (But this is sad, since I have exactly the same video card. But they reassure me that for now :)
EFI support - Extensible Firmware Interface. (I don’t understand whether it works or not, and how it will affect the work? Just write a phrase and think whatever you want)
Requires PAE kernel installation for 32-bit systems.

Linux OS. What is Russian Linux: description, characteristics and reviews

(Well, I don’t know, I downloaded the 32-bit version, it shows 4 gigabytes of RAM.)
There are also other rough edges...

System requirements for Linux Mint 17:

Requires an x86 processor (Linux Mint 64-bit requires a 64-bit processor. Linux Mint 32-bit runs on 32-bit and 64-bit processors).
512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended for comfortable use).
5 GB of disk space (20GB recommended).
A video card capable of at least 800 × 600 resolution (1024 × 768 recommended).
CD/DVD or USB port.

I don’t know whether it’s worth setting everything up or waiting for the release of a stable version in which everything will be corrected? I’m just tormented by vague doubts that simply installing updates will not remove all the bugs. I’ll do this: I’ll describe in this article all the installation steps additional programs, which I usually use, and when reinstalling, I will save all the downloaded packages so that I can quickly download everything later.

(All packages are stored in the /var/cache/apt/archives directory - you can save the contents of the folder before reinstalling it on a USB flash drive, so that you can download them there again later. Then you will not need to download them from the Internet again when installing and updating programs.)

The first thing you need to do after installation is to add the necessary additional repositories that are not present in Linux Mint or if there is a more recent repository. Although, we can praise Linux Mint for the fact that it has its own repository, which contains a lot of additional software from third-party manufacturers. But I usually install the following repositories:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:vincent-c/cherrytree sudo add-apt-repository ppa:me-davidsansome/clementine sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa sudo add-apt-repository ppa:andrew-crew -kuznetsov/xneur-stable sudo add-apt-repository ppa:slytomcat/ppa sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dhor/myway

Now I will install my favorite programs that are not installed by default in Linux Mint. I will not describe each program, since I am writing more for myself, and besides, many of the programs are well known. (I have already written about many programs and simply put links to articles about them) I am writing the installation with one command, since this will make it easier to reinstall everything later during a possible reinstallation of the system.

sudo apt-get install lekhonee-gnome ttf-mscorefonts-installer filezilla geany pinta docky gxneurclementine yd-tools wine1.7cherrytreevirtualbox-4.3 google-earth-stable skypeopera nemo-dropbox tilda deluge chromium-browser tasque parcellite bumblebee-nvidia unetbootin-translations unetbo otin

Something like this, maybe I forgot something, but if I remember, I’ll add it later. What additional programs do you install?

Oh, and for those completely out of the loop, here's a short video about the most popular Linux at the moment. Have you regretted buying your Windows yet? It's time to start :)

Linux operating system, why is it better?

operating room Linux system — why did I choose her? Why don’t I use the most popular Windows 7 in the world, or its successor, Windows 8? Which operating system is better, Windows or Linux? Of course, a special conversation is required about Windows 8, since the system is still new and very unusual for many. But perhaps after updates and the return of the start button, it will find its fans.

As it is, most people are quite happy with these operating systems; they have everything they need. But in fact, there are reasons to use the Linux operating system, and I’m not the only one. What are they? Here are my PERSONAL observations.

1. The Linux operating system is virus-free

The first thing that attracts many, including me personally, is the absence of viruses. Here some people say that there are no viruses in Linux only because it is not widespread and hackers are simply too lazy to write them. I won't argue, but I don't entirely agree with this.

Linux runs on almost all servers and on the computers of millions of ordinary users. If everything were so simple, then there would be quite a few smart people to write viruses. Moreover, hacking servers is the first favorite activity of hackers. Yes, there are rootkits that can be used to break Linux servers, but this is not relevant for home computers.

Someone can argue with me here, but I can draw such conclusions even based on the fact that not a single antivirus company makes an antivirus for Linux SPECIFICALLY. No, every antivirus has antivirus versions for Linux, but they are designed to search for and neutralize Windows viruses.

2. Linux operating system is free

Don't think that all Linux users are cheap, and that's why they use Linux. But the fact is that the FULL version of the same Windows 7 or 8 costs VERY well. And under the license you can install one version on one computer.

Linux operating systems

What if I have 3 computers? Plus you have to buy every NEW version Windows, if you want to stay on top of new technologies from Microsoft. And this is also good money.

But even this is not a problem, you could buy it and forget it. But there is only one Windows, and there are a great many Linux distributions, and they can be downloaded, installed and tested for FREE. And here we come to the third advantage of the Linux operating system.

3. The Linux operating system is diverse

There are several main modifications of the Linux operating system and many modifications to suit every taste. In addition, for each version you can install one of many working environments. If you want, install Gmone, you want KDE, you want LXDE, and so on, or you can do everything at once and select it when you log in.

In general, for creative people there is simply a HUGE field for experimentation. But that's not all. All programs for Linux are also free and do not contain the MIRACLE toolbars that are so fashionable to embed into software today.

4. The Linux operating system has a repository

Yes, Windows also has a lot of programs, and probably even more than Linux. But what I like about Linux is the approach of installing programs that can be installed from a trusted repository of their program manager. And there is no need to crawl through warez sites that are teeming with viruses and obscene banners.

Of course, when switching from Windows, it may be unusual that similar programs are called differently, but over time you get used to it.

5. Linux operating system is more convenient

And this is my personal opinion. I worked both there, and I can say that the interface of the same Gnome is much more convenient than Windows 7. For example, when installing programs, in Linux each program occupies the required section in the menu and is then very easy to find.

In Windows, everything falls into a heap, and if you have a lot of programs, then it’s very difficult to find the one you need. And there are a lot of such LITTLE THINGS, but it is they who ultimately create convenience when working.

6. The Linux operating system has all the drivers

It has probably happened to you that when you connected new equipment, Windows said that the required driver was not available and the equipment did not work. In Linux, all drivers are built into the kernel and, as a rule, any new equipment starts working immediately. If you put a new flash drive in Windows 7, it will install the drivers in a couple of minutes, but Linux will connect it in 2 seconds.

And there is another funny situation. You install Windows for the first time, but it does not find drivers for the network card. But to download the driver for it, you need to connect to the Internet. A vicious circle. I've never encountered anything like this on Linux. network card always worked out of the box.

7. Linux operating system encrypts the disk

I'm not paranoid, but I understand perfectly well how important it is to keep your documents and passwords from prying eyes. When installing Linux (in particular Ubuntu), you are immediately prompted to encrypt your home folder. And now if your laptop falls into the wrong hands, he will not be able to extract files from it. Yes, in Windows this can also be done using third party programs, but all this is more complicated and few people think about it until it’s too late.

Probably the list could be continued, but even this is enough for you to understand why the Linux operating system is on all my computers. But on the other hand, I don’t want to convince anyone to switch to Linux, since it’s like religion, a person must figure it out on his own. And then it will be his decision, with which he will live and work.

If you know more advantages of the Linux operating system, then tell us about them in the comments. Tell us about the downsides, they certainly exist...

Many who begin to explore the world of Linux are interested in the question: “ What Linux distributions are there and what should you choose?», « Where can I download the Linux distribution? " Naturally, it is not possible to describe all the distribution options and their properties. Therefore, let's make up general option, according to the list and the merits of each:

Debian (GNU/Linux)– the oldest distribution, which is one of the most popular today, serves as the basis for many other distributions. A strict approach to including non-free software.

How to Install Linux Ubuntu

The development of this distribution is carried out by specialists from all over the world.

Download the Linux/Linux Debian distribution from the official website:

Ubuntu- a distribution based on Debian GNU/Linux, which gained popularity in a short time. The main developer and sponsor is Canonical Ltd. The principle of this system is ease of use and mastery. There is both a minimal build and a server build.

Download the Linux/Linux Ubuntu distribution kit from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Linux Mint– this distribution was developed on the basis of Ubuntu, and later variants based on Debian appeared with repositories of the testing branch by default. It should be noted that Linux Mint is fully compatible with Ubuntu. And also includes Adobe Flash, Java and much more.

Download Linux distribution/Linux Mint from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Mageia– based on Mandriva Linux since 2010. At the same time, the bulk of the distribution's developers were former employees of Mandriva itself. Development of Mandriva Linux itself has been discontinued.

Download Linux distribution/Linux Mageia from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Fedora– the distribution is developed by RedHat Corporation, which produces solutions based on the free Linux operating system: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (distributed with an annual subscription) and Fedora (distributed freely).

Download Linux distribution/Linux Fedora from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

CentOS- another distribution based on the free source code of the commercial distribution Red Hat Enterprise Linux from Red Hat. Updates occur frequently, resulting in an easily maintainable, reliable, predictable, and scalable Linux environment.

Download the Linux/Linux CentOS distribution kit from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

openSUSE– a distribution developed by the well-known company Novell. It has won its niche thanks to its convenient setup and maintenance, based on YaST (a proprietary utility for operating system configuration and installation/updating of packages).

Download Linux distribution/Linux openSUSE from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Gentoo– a distribution for experienced Linux users (experts). It is assembled entirely from source code, which indicates its flexibility and performance. Sometimes called a meta distribution.

Download Linux distribution/Linux Gentoo from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Arch Linux– a distribution for those who are ready to constantly install new updates and receive the latest versions of programs. Focuses on competent users.

Download Linux distribution/Linux Arch Linux from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

We also note the builds of PCLinuxOS, SlackWare and the famous FreeBSD:

Download Linux distribution/Linux PCLinuxOS from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Download Linux distribution/Linux SlackWare from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

Download Linux distribution/Linux FreeBSD from the official website:
*Link will open in a separate window!

This is all a small list of the most popular Linux distributions. I don’t want to offend anyone by the lack of other distributions, they exist and deserve the right to exist, but for a beginner, those described above are enough. Therefore, the answer to the question: What types of Linux distributions are there? - indicated above.

On a personal note, I would like to add that for any beginner, the most optimal ones would be: Ubuntu and Debian. And then you can consider more complex options. There are many of them and they are constantly changing, but first, start with these!

MirSovetov decided to correct this oversight. We present to your attention a series of articles that will be entirely dedicated to Linux!

To put it correctly, Linux is not an operating system. This is only the core of the system. Here's a simple analogy. The core of the system is the foundation of the building. And the graphical environment (desktop, shortcuts, dialog boxes) and programs are walls, roof and everything else. Without a foundation, it will not be possible to build walls; without a core, there will be no system.

And many operating systems have been created on this very kernel. Several hundred, about 600 according to various estimates! Each of these systems individually is called a distribution. Or just Linux. The most famous of them are Ubuntu(ubUntu), Mint(mint), Debian(debian), Gentoo(GhentU or Gentoo), Fedora(FedOra) and others.

Interestingly, many distributions were created based on other distributions. Ubuntu is based on Debian, and Mint is based on Ubuntu. So, you can say, for example, Ubuntu Debianovna. But these are already “professional” jokes.

All Linux outwardly differs little from the same Windows or Mac OS. There is also a window interface, shortcuts, icons, icons. You can safely work in office programs, browse websites on the Internet, communicate via Skype, play games, and so on. The main differences are internal, in the system code. But the average user is unlikely to access the source files.

Distributions differ according to their purpose. There are sharpened for maximum convenience user: the same Ubuntu, Mint, Elementary OS, Fedora. Some have the most flexible settings: Gentoo, Slackware (you can just slAka), Arch (Arch). Even the installation is completely dependent on the user: he himself selects the components he needs only. Therefore, the system on a specific computer will run faster. There are security-oriented distributions and many others.

By the way, Android also based on the Linux kernel! Although Linux systems occupy only a couple of percent of the desktop computer market, most smartphones and tablets run on Android!

It’s worth mentioning right away important difference Linux from Windows. In Linux, the user has the opportunity to completely change the system interface. Not just change the icons and theme, but change the interface completely! You can change the so-called user environment. There are quite a lot of them: Gnome, xfce, KDE, LXDE, Unity, Cinnamon, MATE and many others. However, we will talk about them later.

In the meantime, I would like to talk a little about the history of the creation of the Linux kernel. Many years ago, back in 1987, Professor Andrew Tanenbaum wrote the book Operating Systems: Design and Implementation. As an illustration for a textbook, he wrote an operating system Minix(mInix).

Among those who read this book was Finnish student Linus Torvalds. He used Minix for some time, but found many shortcomings in it. In particular, Minix was single-tasking (it could only run one program). Little by little, Linus improved and improved Minix on his computer. Later, already in 1991, Torvalds finished work on his own kernel, which was called Linux.

Of course, a bare core in itself means nothing. It requires a “user environment” - an interface, programs, etc. And here lies the most interesting part. At the same time, Richard Stallman was working on a free system called GNU. She had this very environment, but... there was no core! Linus, using the capabilities of the GNU GPL license (essentially, this is a license for free use and modification of the program), “attached” the environment to its kernel. The system was born GNU/Linux. Linus chose a penguin, “well-fed and contented,” as its symbol.

Advantages and disadvantages of Linux systems

Today Linux is used in a variety of fields. Defense systems use Linux. The world's most powerful supercomputers run Linux. Largest servers, which “receive” hundreds of thousands of visitors to sites, run on Linux. Because it is the most reliable and safe system.

And, perhaps, the most important feature of Linux is it absolutely free, like most programs for it! Yes, yes, exactly! You don't owe the developers a penny! The vast majority of distributions are distributed free of charge. There are only a few paid ones, for example, RHEL. But it is usually purchased by the owners of business firms.

“What do developers live on?” you ask. They get paid by paying technical support, for example, sales of souvenirs, paid services: cloud services, music stores and more.

Another advantage follows from all this - no piracy. Forget about keygens, cracks and other bad things. You don’t have to tinker with file hosting services and download viruses and Trojans from there. In Linux, everything is much simpler: open the “Application Center”, write the name of the program you need, click “Install”. Well, or opened the official website of the developer. All!

There is one question that worries Windows users very much: “What about Linux? office programs?. No need to worry Microsoft Office can be completely replaced with a free office suite LibreOffice(formerly it was called Open Office). It works with text (Writer editor), presentations (Impress), spreadsheets (Calc). There are no problems with compatibility of different file formats.

Unfortunately, most Windows programs do not work on Linux: Photoshop, AfterEffects, 3DS Max and others. But there are also free analogues - Gimp for Photoshop, Blender for 3DS Max. Of course, the functionality of the same Gimp cannot be compared with the functionality of Photoshop. But, on the other hand, what part of the capabilities of Adobe's brainchild does it use? regular user? You can also adjust the color balance, contrast, crop the image and apply a couple of simple filters in Gimp.

Let us immediately note that you can run programs from Windows on Linux using a single application. MirSovetov will talk about it in one of the following articles, don’t miss it.

There is one more drawback. Linux really lacks “powerful” AAA-class games (the very, very high class). Well, Valve is taking some steps. Ported all of Half-Life, Portal, Left 4 Dead to Steam for Linux. Even game console done on Debian. But let's be honest: only a small portion of the games are available right now. Bye. And then we'll see.

There's another one interesting point in working with Linux. In Windows, problems are solved in the following way: “An error has appeared; I remembered the instructions from a friend/teacher, pressed such and such buttons and forgot.” In Linux, everything is different: “An error came out; I know how it all works, I fixed this and that, installed the missing component/changed the settings, and forgot it forever.” Linux can be configured once and for all. In literally one or two or three days you can adjust it to your needs, and then the system works for years.

Now I would like to say a few words about the distribution Ubuntu. A couple of years ago it was the most popular distro, about 20 million people used it every day. Now Mint has taken the lead, but we'll see what happens in the future.

The developer of Ubuntu is Canonical (from the word “canon” - example, standard) led by South African entrepreneur (and he is also a space tourist!) Mark Shuttleworth. Ubuntu means “humanity” in South African. In South Africa, this is a whole ideology according to which their state is built. As they say, “A person with Ubuntu is open to other people.”

Why is Ubuntu so popular among users? This system is initially aimed at user convenience. Here you have several distribution options ( Kubuntu with KDE shell, Lubuntu- with LXDE, Xubuntu For weak computers- from xfce, Edubuntu- a distribution specifically for schools). In regular Ubuntu, by the way, the Unity graphical environment is used.

After installation, the user receives a system ready for use. Installs immediately the right set programs: media player, browser, office suite, email client and so on.

She looks something like this. Well, not Ubuntu itself, but the Unity interface. His key feature- a launchpad tightly “nailed” to the edge (Launcher). There is no “Start” button here; in this Unity is similar to Windows 8. But there is Dash (dash or dash), in which you can search by installed programs and files, as well as search for something on Google, Wikipedia, and so on.

Another feature of Unity is global menu. Usually the application menu is located under the title bar (all those "File", "Edit"...). Everything is different here. This menu goes to top panel and appears only if you hover the mouse cursor over this panel. It’s unusual at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes very convenient.

Each version of Ubuntu is designated as follows: 9.04, 12.04, 13.10. The first two digits are the year the version was released, the last two are the month. New versions are released every six months: in April and October. Every two years (10, 12, 14) in April it is published LTS-version. It has a longer support period, higher reliability, and a minimum of bugs and errors.

Well, a final word. I will speak from my own experience as an Ubuntu user. Linux in general and Ubuntu in particular are a lot of fun to use. I am very pleased with the questions and exclamations of friends and acquaintances: “Oooh, what kind of Windows do you have? What other Ubuntu? Looks cool. Are there tanks coming here? And give me one too!”

A user who just wants to get acquainted with operating systems based on the Linux kernel can easily get lost in the assortment of various distribution kits. Their abundance is associated with the open source code of the kernel, so developers around the world are diligently adding to the ranks of already known operating systems. This article will discuss the most popular of them.

In fact, the variety of distributions is only beneficial. If you understand the distinctive features of certain operating systems, you will be able to choose the system that is perfect for your computer. Weak PCs receive a particular advantage. By installing a distribution kit for weak hardware, you will be able to use a full-fledged OS that will not load your computer and at the same time provide all the necessary software.

To try out one of the distributions presented below, just download the ISO image from the official website, burn it to a USB drive and start the computer from the flash drive.

If the manipulation of writing an ISO image of the operating system to a drive seems complicated to you, then you can read the guide on installing Linux on a virtual machine on our website.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is rightfully considered the most popular distribution based on the Linux kernel in the CIS. It was developed on the basis of another distribution - Debian, however appearance there is no similarity between them. By the way, users often have disputes about which distribution is better: Debian or Ubuntu, but everyone agrees on one thing - Ubuntu is great for beginners.

Developers systematically release updates that improve or correct its shortcomings. It is distributed free of charge online, including both security updates and enterprise versions.

The advantages include:

• simple and easy installer;
• large number thematic forums and articles on configuration;
• Unity user interface, which differs from the usual Windows, but is intuitive;
• a large amount of pre-installed applications (games, Flash plug-in and many other software);
• has a large amount of software both in internal and external repositories.

Linux Mint

Although Linux Mint is a separate distribution, it is based on Ubuntu. This is the second most popular product and is also great for beginners. Has more pre-installed software than the previous OS. Linux Mint is almost identical to Ubuntu in terms of internal system aspects that are hidden from the user's eyes. The graphical interface is more similar to Windows, which undoubtedly tempts users to choose this operating system.

The advantages of Linux Mint are the following:

• It is possible to select the graphical shell of the system when loading;
• during installation, the user receives not only software with free source code, but also proprietary programs that can ensure optimal operation of video-audio files and Flash elements;
• developers improve the system by periodically releasing updates and fixing bugs.

CentOS

As the CentOS developers themselves say, their main goal is to make a free and, importantly, stable OS for various organizations and enterprises. Therefore, by installing this distribution, you will receive a system that is stable and protected in all respects. However, the user should prepare and study the documentation for CentOS, since it differs quite significantly from other distributions. From the main thing: the syntax of most commands is different, as are the commands themselves.

The advantages of CentOS are the following:

• has many functions that ensure system security;
• includes only stable versions of applications, which reduces the risk of critical errors and other types of failures;
• Enterprise-level security updates are released to the OS.

openSUSE

openSUSE is a good option for a netbook or low-power computer. This operating system has an official wiki website, a user portal, a service for developers, projects for designers, and IRC channels in several languages. Among other things, the openSUSE team sends emails to users when updates or other important events occur.

The advantages of this distribution are as follows:

• has a large number of software delivered through . True, there is somewhat less of it than in Ubuntu;
• has a KDE graphical shell, which is in many ways similar to Windows;
• has flexible settings performed using the YaST program. With its help, you can change almost all parameters, from wallpaper to settings of internal system components.

Pinguy OS

Pinguy OS was developed with the goal of making a system that was simple and beautiful. It is intended for the average user who decides to switch from Windows, which is why you can find many familiar functions in it.

The operating system is based on the Ubuntu distribution. There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Pinguy OS has a large set of programs with which you can perform almost any action on your PC. For example, turn the standard Gnome top bar into a dynamic one, like in Mac OS.

Zorin OS

Zorin OS is another system target audience which are beginners who want to switch from Windows to Linux. This OS is also based on Ubuntu, but its interface has much in common with Windows.

However, the distinguishing feature of Zorin OS is the package of pre-installed applications. As a result, you will immediately be able to run most games and Windows programs thanks to the Wine program. You will also be pleased with the pre-installed one, which is the default browser in this OS. And for lovers graphic editors there is (analogue). The user can download additional applications independently using Zorin Web Browser Manager - a kind of analogue on .

Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is based on ArchLinux. The system is very easy to install and allows the user to start working immediately after installing the system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit OS versions are supported. The repositories are constantly synchronized with ArchLinux, so users are among the first to receive new versions of the software. The distribution has everything right after installation necessary tools for interaction with multimedia content and third-party equipment. Manjaro Linux supports several kernels, including rc.

Solus

Solus is not the best option for weak computers. At least because this distribution has only one version - 64-bit. However, in return, the user will receive a beautiful graphical shell, with flexible settings, many tools for work and reliability in use.

It is also worth noting that Solus uses an excellent eopkg manager for working with packages, which offers standard tools for installing/uninstalling packages and searching for them.

Elementary OS

The Elementary OS distribution is based on Ubuntu and is a great starting point for beginners. Interesting design, which is very similar to OS X, a large amount of software - this and much more will be acquired by the user who installs this distribution. A distinctive feature of this OS is that most of the applications that come with it are developed specifically for this project. Because of this, they are ideally comparable to the overall structure of the system, which is why the OS runs much faster than Ubuntu. In addition, thanks to this, all the elements are perfectly combined in appearance.

Conclusion

It is difficult to objectively say which of the presented distributions is better and which is somewhat worse, just as it is impossible to force someone to install Ubuntu or Mint on their computer. Everything is individual, so the decision about which distribution to start using is up to you.

There are many types of operating systems. One of them is the Linux operating system. What is this operating system? Where is it used? How is it structured?

Linux: what is it?

Linux is an operating system in which the user has a wide choice of software that will be installed on it. In this operating system, you can choose between several types of desktops and a dozen shells for command line, which, by the way, is called a terminal and plays quite important role. Due to the fact that this operating system is designed to run several programs at once, it is less susceptible to failures.

No program can be launched by default without the user's knowledge, so it is very difficult to encounter a virus written for Linux. If they infect computers, it is only because the user himself launched a suspicious application. Samples of this system can operate via USB or optical drives.

Linux: development history

The name of this operating system is not translated into Russian. It is named after its pioneering founder, Linus Torvalds. He presented his creation to society in 1994. Development of the system began back in 1991. Due to the fact that this operating system was open source and could be modified by anyone, it gained followers all over the world. Various companies producing paid distributions are beginning to use the developments.

At the same time, entire communities of developers have emerged who, on a voluntary basis, create and distribute their own builds. As of 2016, there are about a dozen popular versions of Linux operating systems. What does this state of affairs mean? This means that there is serious competition and diversity. In addition to popular versions, less common ones are also used, which are designed to perform a certain range of tasks. If you are interested in the Russian version of the Linux operating system, then it is worth noting that downloading it today is not a problem. For other versions, there are localizers that can translate at least some of the symbols.

Linux and Windows: differences

At first glance, these operating systems have serious differences. However, in reality everything is not quite like that. There are differences, but to see them you need to look a little deeper. We will focus on the Linux operating system, but since we will be comparing with Windows, we will have to describe this OS as well. We will consider the file system, graphical shell, system configuration, scope of application. At the end of the article, we will pay a little attention to distribution kits.

File system

It is worth noting first of all that in the usual sense, the Linux operating system does not have hard drives. What can this state of affairs indicate in the first place? Physical disks and logical partitions are saved, here they will be represented by directories. The OS connects to some folder, everything that is created will end up in it. Work can only be done with the files that are in it. The main folder is called the root folder. It is indicated by the sign /. User files are typically stored in the /home/username/ folder. The location can be changed if desired.

Graphic shell

After using the Windows operating system, moving to Linux may seem inconvenient at first. However, this only applies when using a terminal. There are graphical shells, with which you can work with familiar interface. The terminal is used either by very advanced users or on servers. The graphically designed shell is suitable for all other users who do not want to remember exact catalogs of information. Thus, we can say that the Linux operating system can appear in various types. There are several options for customizing your desktop. Graphic design there are hundreds of variations.

Configuration

In the operating system Windows given the information is in the system registry. It is a kind of database. It is required so that programs launched in the program's operating system are configured correctly upon first boot and at the start of operation. If the registry is damaged, only complete reinstallation. However, there is a definite advantage to this: everything is in one place. In the operating system Linux developers decided to take a slightly different path. In this OS, each program has an owner separate file configurations, and maybe even several.

These files can be viewed and edited at any time text editor. If there are several more files, then this has its advantages. If one of them is damaged, only part of the work will be lost. In the worst case, you will only have to reinstall the program. In addition, if the user wants to change the computer, he does not have to start all over again. He can just copy necessary files between machines, directly or via media. But what to do if the operating system was damaged? This is another important advantage of the Linux operating system.

The OS needs to be reinstalled and you need to do it. But the file settings will not disappear after completing this process. However, there is one small drawback: each program has its own format configuration files. You will need to have a good understanding of them before editing anything.
Areas of application

We have already talked about the Linux operating system and how it differs from the Windows OS familiar to many users. Today we will pay attention to the areas of its application. Alas, it will not find application everywhere. Linux, whether office or home workstation, close to ideal. The thing is that there are many games created or ported for this OS. There are also separate programs that run complex engineering programs or graphics packages like Adobe.

With the help of emulation, this problem is solved quite simply in most cases. However, not all users require a computer that can solve specific problems. Let's take a look at the list of features of this operating system. The Linux operating system allows you to compose office documents, word processing, creating spreadsheets. It is also possible to view and edit photographs and images. You can watch videos and listen to music. You can even play simple games on the system. It is possible to carry out communication processes via the Internet.

It is worth noting that in this regard, the Linux operating system is significantly superior to its competitor. Linux is convenient for programming. The user can easily explore the Internet space. It is also convenient to carry out remote control any operating systems. Email and various messaging programs are available here. File sharing is quite convenient.

About distributions

If you want to install the Russian version of Linux on your computer, then it’s worth talking a little about distributions. The user has the opportunity to choose the language and geographic focus. In addition, with the help of this operating system you can seriously study languages. But now we are talking about distributions. The main difference is that the programs are located in file system. It cannot be said that one distribution is more convenient to use than another.

Here everything will depend on the range of tasks being solved. You can use a version that is convenient for programming, but has poor Internet support. This option suitable for those users who need to concentrate on work instead of constantly being distracted by the Internet. There are also versions that allow in the best possible way adjust power. This makes it possible to get maximum performance. In general, there is plenty to choose from, you just need to choose one version or another.