Can someone smart tell me all about Linux?

I have to learn all about Linux then write a paper on it and the resources I have (about 3 pages in an OS textbook and a few shitty websites) are lacking.

So if anyone out there can give me some info or link me to some good sites, I will be eternally grateful and very generous with rep.

I need this pretty quick, so help me out here.

p.s. I know that it has open source code, so it's constantly being upgraded, but would you say that it is almost literally going to keep growing and developing before a new OS replaces it?

Originally Posted by Funky Fly I have to learn all about Linux then write a paper on it and the resources I have (about 3 pages in an OS textbook and a few shitty websites) are lacking. So if anyone out there can give me some info or link me to some good sites, I will be eternally grateful and very generous with rep. I need this pretty quick, so help me out here. p.s. I know that it has open source code, so it's constantly being upgraded, but would you say that it is almost literally going to keep growing and developing before a new OS replaces it?

http://www.opensource.org

Linux is an operating system that was developed by Linus Torvalds in the early 90's. It's a UNIX clone, but less so every day. It aims towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliance -- which just means it plays nice with standards. Because of Linux's open source nature, it was also contributed to by other hackers around the world and continues to evolve today.

Linux and open source are quite different. Though Linux (the kernel that Linus wrote) has had a major impact on open source, Linux did not start the open source movement. As you you'll read, open source actually got it start decades before before Linux.

And to clarify a couple common misunderstandings.

Linux = Kernel = Operating System
RedHat (Debian, Slackware, etc) = Distribution (Operating Environment)

What's the difference? Simple. Linux itself is the kernel, the base, the core of the system. RedHat (and the others) package software (all open source) around the Linux kernel. If someone just gave you a copy of the Linux kernel and nothing else, it wouldn't be very useful.

Anyway, this isn't very helpful, and I could go on and on and on... good luck on your project.. and remember, google.com is your friend.

PS - There's lots of Windows software that is open source too... Mozilla, for for example.

And just a whole list of links you could link on and read about:

http://www.groklaw.net/index.php - Details about the SCO lawsuit against Linux and Linux vendors. SCO claims to have all sorts of legal claims to Linux, most everyone feels it's bunk.

http://fedora.redhat.com - The Linux distribution I personally use.

http://www.linux.org - General Linux Info

http://www.mysql.com - The premier database server for open source, most likely used by TPWWW too. Just notice how many Fortune 500 companies rely on this software.

http://www.openoffice.org - An Office suite, similar to M$ Office. This runs in Linux & Windows.

You're the man, guy.