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I replaced Windows with Linux and everything’s going great - The Verge

Lau Chi Fung

— 2 min read

Chapter One: Winging It - The Humble Beginnings of Linux

As we embark on this journey through the history of Linux, it's essential to understand the humble beginnings of this powerful operating system. In this chapter, we'll explore how a young programmer's passion project turned into a global phenomenon.

The Birth of Linux

In 1991, Linus Torvalds, a Finnish computer science student, was feeling frustrated with the existing operating systems available at that time. He wanted to create an operating system that would be free and open-source, allowing users to modify and distribute it as they saw fit.

Torvalds began working on his operating system, initially calling it "Freax," but later changed its name to Linux in honor of the Linux kernel, which was named after Linus's friend, Harald Alvestrand's, daughter, Minix. The story goes that when Torvalds asked Alvestrand about the inspiration behind the name, he mentioned his daughter's nickname, "Linux."

The Early Days

In the early days of Linux, Torvalds worked tirelessly to develop the operating system, often staying up late into the night, coding and testing. He was largely self-taught, relying on online resources and documentation to guide him through the process.

As Linux began to take shape, Torvalds started sharing his work with others, seeking feedback and contributions from fellow programmers. One of these early contributors was Ian Murdock, who would later go on to develop Debian Linux, another popular open-source operating system.

The First Release

On September 17, 1991, Torvalds released the first version of Linux, version 0.01. This initial release was a bare-bones version of the operating system, lacking many features that would become standard in later versions.

Despite its limitations, Linux gained popularity among programmers and enthusiasts, who appreciated its flexibility and customizability. As news of Linux spread, Torvalds received contributions from all over the world, with developers sharing their expertise and ideas to help improve the operating system.

The Road Ahead

As we look back on these early days of Linux, it's clear that Torvalds' vision for an open-source operating system was revolutionary. With each passing day, Linux continued to grow in popularity, attracting more contributors and users.

In the following chapters, we'll explore how Linux evolved over time, incorporating new technologies and innovations, while maintaining its core principles of freedom and customization. We'll delve into the world of Linux distributions, kernel upgrades, and the impact of Linux on modern computing.

The Legacy of Linux

Today, Linux is used by millions of people around the world, powering everything from supercomputers to embedded devices. Its influence can be seen in the development of other operating systems, such as Android and iOS.

Linux has also spawned a thriving community of developers, users, and enthusiasts, who continue to contribute to its growth and evolution. As we move forward in this journey, it's essential to remember the humble beginnings of Linux and the vision that drives its continued success.

In the next chapter, we'll explore The Rise of Linux Distributions, examining how different distributions, such as Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora, have evolved over time to cater to various user needs.

References

  • Torvalds, L. (1991). The Linux kernel [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.linux.org/about/linux.html
  • Murdock, I. (2005). Debunking the myth that Debian was created by Linus Torvalds. [Blog post]. Retrieved from

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