LINUX

CONTENT

ABOUT LINUX

Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. It is widely used in various platforms, including cloud computing, embedded devices, mainframe computers, mobile devices, personal computers, servers, and supercomputers.

Key Characteristics

Open-source: Linux is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.
Community-driven: The Linux kernel is maintained by a large community of developers and contributors.
Monolithic kernel: Linux uses a monolithic kernel architecture.
Available in multiple languages: Linux is translated into many languages, making it accessible to a global user base.
Runs on various platforms: Linux can be installed on a wide range of hardware architectures, including Alpha, ARC, ARM, C-Sky, Hexagon, LoongArch, m68k, Microblaze, MIPS, Nios II, OpenRISC, PA-RISC, PowerPC, RISC-V, s390, SuperH, SPARC, x86, and Xtensa.

Famous Entities Using Linux

Stephen Fry: Actor and comedian who uses Linux.
Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook creator who uses Linux.
Mark Shuttleworth: Businessman and computer scientist who uses Linux.
Linus Torvalds: Creator of Linux, uses Linux.
Ken Thompson: Helped design the Unix operating system and uses Linux.
CERN: European nuclear research lab uses Linux (Scientific Linux, a customized version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, or CERN CentOS 7) for its desktops and servers.
Facebook: Uses Linux on its servers.
Amazon: Uses Linux on its servers.
Google: Uses Linux on its servers and is a major contributor to the Linux community.
IBM: Offers Linux certifications and uses Linux in its products and services.
Oracle: Uses Linux and offers Linux-based products and services.
SUSE: A major Linux distributor, providing enterprise-grade Linux solutions.
Red Hat: A leading Linux distributor, offering Red Hat Enterprise Linux and other Linux-based solutions.
NASA: Uses Linux on its servers and desktops.
The European Parliament: Uses Linux on its desktops.
The City of Munich: Uses Linux on its desktops.

Please note that this list might not be exhaustive, as the search results only provide a snapshot of information from various sources. Additionally, the use of Linux by these entities might have changed since the search results were compiled.

SWITCHING TO LINUX

Switching to Linux can be a rewarding experience, offering a more secure, customizable, and cost-effective alternative to Windows. By choosing the right distribution, preparing for the transition, and exploring the Linux ecosystem, you can make a successful switch and enjoy the benefits of this powerful operating system.

Why Switch to Linux?

Customization: Linux offers unparalleled customization options, allowing you to tailor your system to your needs.
Security: Linux is generally considered more secure than Windows, with fewer malware threats and regular security updates.
Cost-effective: Linux is free and open-source, eliminating the need for expensive software licenses.
Community: Linux has a vast and supportive community, with numerous resources available for learning and troubleshooting.
Compatibility: Most modern software applications have Linux versions or alternatives, ensuring a seamless transition.

Choosing a Distribution

Beginner-friendly: Linux Mint, Ubuntu, and Zorin OS are popular choices for beginners, offering user-friendly interfaces and extensive support.
Specialized: Distributions like Fedora, openSUSE, and Arch Linux cater to specific needs, such as development, gaming, or server administration.
Mimic Windows: Zorin OS and Linux Mint offer Windows-like interfaces, making the transition easier for Windows users.

Preparing for the Switch

Backup: Ensure you have backups of your important files and data before making the switch.
Learn the basics: Familiarize yourself with Linux terminology and basic commands.
Explore alternatives: Research Linux alternatives for your favorite Windows applications.
Join a community: Engage with online Linux communities, such as forums and chat rooms, to connect with other users and get help when needed.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

Start with a dual-boot setup: Install Linux alongside Windows to test and get familiar with the new operating system.
Use a Linux-compatible browser: Firefox, Chrome, and other popular browsers have Linux versions, ensuring a seamless web experience.
Explore the Linux ecosystem: Discover the vast array of free and open-source software available for Linux.
Be patient: Learning Linux takes time, so be prepared to invest time and effort into mastering the new system.

LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS

What is a Linux distribution also known as distro?

A Linux distribution (distro) is a customized version of the Linux operating system, compiled from various open-source components and designed to meet specific user needs and preferences. With hundreds of distributions available, there’s a Linux distro for every type of user, from beginners to experts.

A selection of good Linux distributions for desktops and laptops.

What is the best Linux distribution?

There is no answer, the best Linux distro is the one that:

Works with your hardware.
You feel comfortable with.
Covers your needs.

Take the time to try different distros to find the one that is the best for you!

Our selection

CachyOS | Guide

CachyOS is an Arch Linux-based distribution that focuses on performance optimization and customization. It offers an easy installation process and provides several options to tailor the system to individual user preferences.

CachyOS implements various optimizations to improve system performance across multiple areas, including kernel scheduling, file systems, and architecture-specific optimizations.

CachyOS is a rolling-release distribution, with new installer ISO images published approximately once a month.

CachyOS is an excellent choice for gaming and content creation.

Fedora Workstation

Fedora Linux is a Linux distribution developed by the Fedora Project which is sponsored primarily by Red Hat with additional support and sponsors from other companies and organizations.

Fedora Workstation is a polished, easy to use operating system for laptop and desktop computers, with a complete set of tools for developers and makers of all kinds.

The Fedora Project releases a new version of Fedora Linux approximately every six months and provides updated packages (maintena nce) to these releases for approximately 13 months.

Mint ⭐️ | Guide

Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution based on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint is an operating system for desktop and laptop computers. It is designed to work 'out of the box' and comes fully equipped with the apps most people need.

Linux Mint’s release schedule follows that of Ubuntu’s LTS releases. Linux Mint releases come out a few months after the corresponding Ubuntu LTS release because the Linux Mint team needs time for their own development and testing work. Each Linux Mint release is supported for five years, which is the same as the corresponding Ubuntu LTS release.

Mint is a good choice for beginers and Windows users who want to switch to Linux.

Other interesting Linux distributions

LINUX DISTRIBUTION FAMILIES

Overview of Linux distribution families and what they are based on.

Some distributions may overlap between families or have complex relationships (e.g., Ubuntu is based on Debian, but also has its own package manager and community). This overview aims to provide a general understanding of the major Linux distribution families and their characteristics.

Arch family

Arch Linux (bleeding-edge, community-supported)
Manjaro (community-supported, user-friendly)
Antergos (community-supported, Arch-based with GUI installer)
SteamOS (gaming-focused, based on Arch Linux)
CachyOS

Debian family

Debian (stable, testing, unstable)
Ubuntu (commercially supported, popular desktop distribution)
Linux Mint (community-supported, popular desktop distribution)
Kali Linux (security-focused, based on Debian)
Tails (anonymous, live-distro based on Debian)

Fedora family

Fedora (community-supported, bleeding-edge)
Rocky Linux (community-owned, compatible with RHEL)
Aquamarine

Gentoo family

Gentoo Linux (highly customizable, compiled locally)
Google’s ChromeOS (based on Gentoo, used in Chromebooks)

Red Hat family

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
CentOS (community-supported, compatible with RHEL)
AlmaLinux (community-owned, compatible with RHEL)
Oracle Linux (commercially supported, compatible with RHEL)

Slackware family

Slackware (stable, traditional)
Salix OS (community-supported, user-friendly)

SUSE family

SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE)
openSUSE (community-supported, development-focused)

SOME DISTROS COMPARISON

Feature

Linux Mint

Debian

MX Linux

Pop!_OS

Ubuntu

Default Desktop Environement

Cinnamon (also offers MATE & Xfce)

GNOME (Other DE include KDE, MATE,LXDE, LXQT, Xfce Cinnamon, Budgie, Enlightenment, FVWM, GNUStep, Window Maker, Etc.)

Xfce

COSMIC, written from scratch in Rust.

GNOME (Other Flavors: KDE, Kylin, XFCE, Budgie, LXQT, Cinnamon, MATE, Unity).

Target Audience

Beginners, users seeking ease of use and stability.

Experienced users, system administartors, those seeking complete control.

Users prioritizing speed and efficiency, those with older hardware, DIY enthusiasts.

Power users, developers, those seeking a workflow-oriented experience.

Wider audience, including developers, power users, entreprise environments.

Strengths

User-friendly, polished interface, out-of-the-box experience, wide software availability, strong community support.

Stability, flexibility, customization, adherence to free software principles, long-term support, popular with security engineers.

Lightweight and fast, highly customizable, excellent system tools, strong community support.

Unique workflow features (tiling, keyboard navigation), optimized for productivity, good harware support.

Latest features and softwares, Snap package ecosystem, broader hardware support, active deleopment.

Weaknesses

Cam be slightly customizable than Debian, might inherit minor instabilities from Ubuntu.

Steeper learning curve, requires more technical knowledge, less polished out-of-the-box experience, packages refresh about every two years.

Less polished out-of-the-box experience, Xfce might be less visually appealing to some.

COSMIC is currently in alpha status and should be fully released later in 2024.

GNOME interface might not appeal to all, Sanp packages can be controversial, can be slightly more resource-intensive.

source: A Comparative Look at Linux Mint 22

HOW TO TRY LINUX

Are you curious about Linux and want to give it a try? Here are 5 ways to experience Linux without committing to a full installation:

LiveCD/LiveUSB: Boot from a Linux LiveCD or LiveUSB and run Linux directly from the CD or USB drive. This way, you can try Linux without modifying your current operating system.
Virtual Machine: Install a virtual machine software like VirtualBox or VMware and create a virtual machine running Linux. This allows you to run Linux alongside your current operating system.
Dual Boot: Install Linux alongside your current operating system and dual-boot between the two. This way, you can try Linux without replacing your current operating system.
Old Laptop: Take an old laptop and install Linux on it. This is a great way to try Linux without worrying about affecting your main computer.
DistroSea: Try Linux in your browser using DistroSea, a website that allows you to run Linux distributions in your browser without installing them.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Start with a beginner-friendly distribution like Linux Mint.
Take an old laptop or use a virtual machine to minimize the risk of data loss or system corruption.
Be prepared to learn new commands and interfaces, as Linux can be different from what you’re used to.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help or search online for solutions to any issues you encounter.

Trying Linux is a great way to experience the operating system and see if it’s right for you.

TRY LINUX!

The Live mode is good way to try a Linux distribution on a machine without make any change to it. It is highly recommended to try a Linux distribution ^[1] ^[2] in its Live mode before you install on your hard drive, to check if it works with your hardware (GPU, Webcam, Audio, Internet, Wi-Fi, Etc.)

LINUX FILE SYSTEM

The Linux file system is a fundamental component of the operating system, providing a flexible and scalable way to organize and manage files and directories. Understanding the different file system types, their features, and limitations is essential for effective system administration and configuration. By choosing the right file system for your use case, you can ensure optimal performance, reliability, and data integrity.

The Linux file system is a hierarchical structure that organizes files and directories on a storage device. It is designed to be flexible, scalable, and efficient. Here are some key aspects:

File System Types

ext2/3/4: The most widely used file systems, known for their stability and backward compatibility.
XFS: Optimized for large files and high-performance environments, commonly used in media servers and databases.
Btrfs: A modern file system with advanced features like snapshotting, deduplication, and online defragmentation.
ZFS: A file system and volume manager developed by Sun Microsystems, known for its robust data management capabilities.

File System Structure

Root Directory (/): The topmost directory, containing all other directories and files.
Mount Points: Directories where file systems are mounted, allowing access to external storage devices or network shares.
Directories: Hierarchical organization of files, with each directory containing subdirectories and files.
Files: Individual data storage units, including regular files, directories, and special files (e.g., devices, sockets).

Key Concepts

Permissions: Controls access to files and directories, defined by user IDs, group IDs, and permissions bits.
Inodes: Data structures containing metadata about files, such as ownership, permissions, and location.
Block Devices: Storage devices, like hard drives or SSDs, divided into blocks for efficient data storage.
Mounting: The process of attaching a file system to a mount point, making its contents accessible.

Practical Tips

Format a partition: Use mkfs (e.g., mkfs.ext4) to create a file system on a partition.
Mount a file system: Use mount (e.g., mount /dev/sda1 /mnt) to attach a file system to a mount point.
Unmount a file system: Use umount (e.g., umount /mnt) to safely detach a file system before removing a storage device.
Check disk usage: Use df (e.g., df -h) to display disk space usage and available free space.

Comparison Table

File System

Use Case

Advantages

Limitations

ext4

General-purpose

Stable, backward compatible, fast

Limited scalability, no snapshots

XFS

High-performance

Optimized for large files, high throughput

Complex configuration, limited support

Btrfs

Advanced use cases

Snapshots, deduplication, online defragmentation

Still evolving, limited support

ZFS

Enterprise environments

Robust data management, snapshots, compression

Complex configuration, proprietary

More info can be read on phoenixnap.com on their article: Linux File System: Types, Features, Limitations.

DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT (DE)

A desktop environment (DE) in Linux is a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides an intuitive and interactive way to interact with the operating system. Here's an overview of what you might expect from a typical desktop environment:

Components:

Window Manager: This component handles window management, such as creating, resizing, moving, and closing windows.
Desktop Background: The background image or color that appears when no other windows are open.
Taskbar (or Panel): A bar at the bottom of the screen where you can find icons for frequently used applications, notifications, and system tray icons.
Start Menu (or Application Launcher): A menu that provides access to installed applications, settings, and features.
Desktop Icons: Small images or text labels representing files, folders, or devices on your computer.

Features:

Icon-based interface: Most DEs use a visual representation of icons for menus, windows, and other UI elements.
Drag-and-drop functionality: You can easily move files between windows and directories by dragging them with the mouse.
Context-sensitive menu options: Right-clicking on an item often provides context-specific options for that particular item.
Notification system: The DE may display notifications for events, such as new emails or updates available.

Popular Desktop Environments:

GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment): A modern and feature-rich DE with a focus on user-friendly design and seamless integration with the Linux operating system.
KDE Plasma: A highly customizable DE that offers advanced features, such as window management options and extensive configuration capabilities.
Xfce: A lightweight and efficient DE suitable for older hardware or those who prefer a more minimalist interface.
Cinnamon: A desktop environment based on the GNOME infrastructure but offering a unique look and feel with traditional-style menus, applets, and effects. Cinnamon is particularly popular among users looking for a modern take on classic desktop experiences.
Pop!_OS Cosmic (formerly Pop OS): A highly customized DE developed by System76 specifically for their own hardware offerings. It provides an intuitive interface that's easy to use while still offering advanced features, such as multi-monitor support and GPU acceleration.

Some common interactions:

Clicking on an icon to launch an application.
Right-clicking (or secondary clicking) to access context menus.
Dragging files between windows, folders, or devices.
Using the start menu to search for and launch applications.

PACKAGE MANAGER

A package manager in Linux is a set of software or tools that allows the user to manage packages effectively. The user can install, upgrade, remove, and configure packages using the supported package manager on the Linux operating system.

POPULAR PACKAGE MANAGERS

APT (ADVANCED PACKAGE TOOL): APT is one of the most popular Linux package managers, as it comes with Debian-based distros like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.
DPKG (DEBAIN-BASED PACKAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM): The package manager uses the .deb extension. Unlike APT, it cannot automatically install packages and their dependencies.
DNF (DANDIFIED YUM): Successor of YUM. DNF utilizes the RPM package as its underlying package management. Used by Fedora.
RPM (RED HAT PACKAGE MANAGER): Used by Red Hat-based Linux operating systems, CentOS, Fedora.
PACMAN: Pacman is the package manager for Arch-based Linux operating systems, such as Arch, Manjaro, Garuda. It uses the .tar.xz file format.
ZYPPER: Zypper is the package manager for openSUSE. It is a CLI tool that handles packages in the openSUSE Linux distro. It uses a .rpm package file format, similar to YUM and DNF.

PACKAGES

A package is at the core of the Linux operating system. Technically, it is an archive file containing an executable binary file, a related configuration file, and information about the dependencies required to run it properly.

DEPENDENCIES

Linux operating system is complex. It consists of multiple software that depend on each other. For any software to work, it would require some other software or package.

REPOSITORIES

Repositories or repos are virtual online places that list all the packages. These repos are accessible through the internet and help the Linux user to gain access to the packages required during software installation.

PACKAGE MANAGEMENT BENEFITS

INSTALL PACKAGES: Automate package installation without any intervention.
REMOVE OLD PACKAGES: Get rid of old packages that you don't need.
RINSTALL PACKAGES: Reinstall packages to fix broken configurations without manual work.
UPDATE PACKAGES: Update packages automatically to receive new features and bug fixes.
AVOID DEPENDENCY HELL: Manage package dependency confidendly.

HOW PACKAGE MANAGER WORKS

Linux OS⟶Package Manager⟶Repository⟷Package Metadata ⟷Packages⟵Package Dependencies

SHORT SUMMARY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF PACKAGE MANAGERS

Ensure that the packages are authentic. Also, ensure the integrity of the package is maintained by doing proper checksum and digital certificate authentication.
Automate package combining for ease of use.
Make sure to install any dependencies to avoid “dependency hell.”
Manage packages, including downloading, searching, and installing new or existing software.

Learn more and source: Geekflare

GAMING ON LINUX

Linux has evolved a lot over the past few years, it is now easier to play video games on a modern Linux operating system using certain tools.

HARDWARE

These companies offer hardware, desktops and laptops compatible or optimized for Linux.

Beelink
Framework
NovaCustom
Slimbook
Star Labs
System76 | Pop!_OS (Ubuntu Based)
TUXEDO Computers | TUXEDO OS (Ubuntu Based)

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

These Youtube channels talk about Linux.