What even is Linux?
Linux is an operating system, like Windows or macOS, but it works a bit differently from those. Technically, “Linux” refers to the kernel, the core part of the system that talks to your hardware, yet Linux is primarily tossed around as an alternative OS to Windows and MacOS. Did you know that Android phones run on Linux, or that an estimated 70% of servers use it? When you download and install a “Linux distribution” (or “distro”), you're getting the Linux kernel, plus a collection of system tools, a desktop environment, and apps packaged together. Linux is open-source, which means its code is free for anyone to view, change, and share.
A brief history of Linux
1 - Unix roots (1969 - early 1990s)
Linux's design is inspired by Unix, a powerful multiuser operating system created in the late '60s at Bell Labs. Many of Linux's commands and concepts come directly from Unix traditions.
2 - Birth of Linux (1991)
Finnish student Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel as a personal project, releasing it online for free so others could contribute.
3 - Rise of distributions (1992-2000)
Developers began packaging the Linux kernel with software tools and desktop environments, creating user-ready distributions like Debian, Red Hat, and Slackware.
4 - Modern Linux (2001-present)
Linux now powers everything from Android phones and smart TVs to servers, supercomputers, and desktop PCs, with hundreds of active distros for all kinds of users.
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So, why would I want to use Linux?
Many people switch to Linux because it puts them in control of their own computer. Modern versions of Windows have become increasingly intrusive, with forced updates, AI integrations, required online accounts, ads in the start menu, and data collection happening in the background. Linux avoids these practices, giving you a system that respects your privacy and can run on both new and older hardware without demanding huge system resources. You also get to choose exactly how your desktop looks and behaves, and you're not locked into one companies ecosystem.