The Basics of Installing Linux on a Computer
The Linux operating system (OS) is a popular alternative to Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and other proprietary systems. It was developed by a loosely knit band of volunteer computer geeks from around the world, and it is free to use on any hardware platform. It is also flexible enough to handle a variety of different types of tasks and applications, from running a Web server to a high-powered desktop workstation. Regardless of its flexibility, Linux has established itself as one of the most reliable and stable systems available.
The roots of linux go back to 1991, when Linus Torvalds began writing a free and open source alternative to Minix, another Unix-like OS. He wanted to create an OS that was a good fit for desktop PCs and was more advanced than what was available at the time. The result was a kernel and other software that could be used to build an entire system that would run from a CD.
A Linux kernel handles the low-level functions of a computer, including device management and interaction with hardware. Its architecture includes modules that manage memory, provide device drivers and other support services, and enable communication between the kernel and applications. Other parts of the Linux OS include a graphical user interface, which is the face that most users see when they use a Linux computer. There are also various tools, frameworks, and other software applications that are used to develop and run a wide range of programs on Linux systems.
Linux is interoperable and can be used with most network protocols and other operating systems. This makes it a natural choice for businesses that are looking for an operating system to manage a variety of different devices, from servers to desktop PCs. It can even be run in a hypervisor (virtual machine) to allow multiple instances of the OS to run on the same hardware.
The first step in installing Linux is selecting a distribution that suits the user’s needs. Once the selected distribution has been downloaded, the user can utilize an application like Etcher for Mac OS or Rufus for Windows to create a bootable USB drive that can be inserted into the target computer’s hard drive. Once the computer boots up, the user can follow instructions displayed on-screen to partition the hard drive, set a time zone, create user accounts, and change other system settings.
