The Power of Linux
The Linux operating system powers computers in every aspect of the Internet and your home life. It’s in your smartphone, tablet, refrigerator, TV, robot, car, smart speaker and so much more. It powers the cloud, social media and even your local government. And it all comes from open-source software.
When you think of linux, you probably picture an operating system that is serious and geared toward computer science students and hackers. This was the original image of linux back in the day, but today it is used for much more than that.
Linux is a Unix-like operating system that allows software applications to control the hardware components of your computer. This includes the memory, graphics card and processors. It also manages the device drivers, which are the low-level software that provides communication between hardware and higher level application software.
The kernel is the main component of the Linux operating system. It handles CPU and memory, as well as managing the device drivers. All other programs that run on a computer, known as processes, are handled by the kernel. These processes can be graphical or text-based, and they can perform a variety of tasks.
Another major component of the Linux operating system is the desktop environment. This is the way that graphical elements like windows and pull-down menus are controlled. The desktop environment will also include default applications for file management, text editing and running a command-line session.
If you don’t like the desktop environment that is installed by your particular distribution, it’s easy to change it in a matter of minutes. There are many options to choose from, including Budgie, Xfce, KDE Plasma, Pantheon and Enlightenment.
While Linux did not gain much traction as a competitor to Microsoft’s Windows operating system for PCs, it became hugely important in server environments and is the heart of modern cloud computing. It is also used in a wide range of mobile devices, from Android smartphones to the BlackBerry QNX OS.
There are many benefits to using a Linux system, but there are some drawbacks. For one, Linux is not compatible with all hardware devices. This can be due to a lack of open-source drivers for certain devices or simply because the manufacturer has not made the device Linux-compatible.
Another drawback to Linux is that it can be difficult for non-programmers to learn how to use it. This is because there are so many different versions of the operating system, which are known as distributions. Each has its own take on the desktop environment, and some are more geared toward new users than others. For example, some use very modern user interfaces (like GNOME and Elementary OS’s Pantheon), whereas others stick with more traditional desktop environments (like OpenSUSE’s KDE). This can make it confusing for people who are new to Linux. However, most distributions provide an intuitive graphical installation process that makes it simple to get started. In addition, many offer online documentation and help.
