Linux Basics

1. What is Linux?
   Linux is a free open source operating system based on Unix, which runs on varieties of  hardware platforms. It is originally developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linux source code is freely available to everyone under the GNU General Public License.
        

2. Significance of Linux
   The Linux  is used on cell phones, game machines, notebook computers, desktop computers, workstations, mainframes, supercomputers etc. .
        

3. Utility of Linux.
    Most commonly Linux is being used by Government and Defense departments, Academic institutions, Banking and financial sectors, Biotechnology engineers, Multi-National Companies, Corporate Sectors, Vendors and now even Hollywood film Industry.
         

4. Linux as a Command Line Interface (CLI) Vs. Graphics User Interface (GUI)
   Linux comes in two sort of forms: Command Line Interface and Graphics User Interface. The text shell provides CLI, which supports only text but perform high efficiency and speed while graphics shell provide GUI, which support all sorts of graphics including text and gives tough competition to Windows operating system duo to it's efficiency and speed.     
           

5. Linux in Internet
   Linux is very useful in Internet due to being cheaper, fast accessing qualities and a very high quality security reason.   
         

6. Linux Vs. Windows (A Comparison)
   Both Linux and Windows works as an operating system. Both are highly popular and are in the great demand. The user have their specific reason to use either Linux or Windows. A comparison gives the exact figure where these are more suitable or superior. 
      

7. Linux Distributions
   The Linux distribution is the combination of  an  installation program with various open source software and applications in an operating system package. There are more than three hundreds Linux 
   distributions are available in the market. 
                  

8. Running from CDs
   Linux has an interesting advantage over  Windows. Some distributions of Linux like Knoppix, Gnoppix, SuSE (called Live-Eval), Linspire (formerly Lindows) and Slackware  can run directly from CDs without installing them on the hard disk. 
           

9. Hardware Requirement for Linux
   For Installing Linux Server/ Desktop Operating System, it need a specific configuration of hardware platform. The hardware also depends upon the sorts of Linux distribution. Here we are telling about the minimum hardware requirement for installing Fedora Core 6.
        

10. Linux Installation Process
    Installing Linux is a very challenging job. There are huge numbers of Linux distribution available in the market. Each distribution has a specific criteria for installing. The installing process also differs for different sorts of  computer processor and configuration. 
          

11. Installing Linux and Windows (Dual Installation)
    Installing Linux on a fresh computer differs from installing it on the pre-existing operating system. This is called dual installation. Installing Linux on the pre-installed system needs an additional hard disk partition. 
            

12. Getting Started in Linux (Booting.)
    Booting is a built-in program that loads operating system into the memory. We are giving the various steps of  booting system by Linux for x86 system.   
     
13. Problem and Troubleshooting while installing Linux
    As installing Linux is a tough job for the new user, he/she has to face lots of problems for installing Linux. The common problems and their solutions are given in this section. The act of  solving the problem is called troubleshooting.
     
14. How to Shut down Linux
    Shutting Down Linux has a specific criteria like windows have. We should follow the instructions, otherwise hard disk may be format or data may be loss.          
     
15. The Shell in Linux.
    A shell is an advanced way for communicating to the system. The term 'shell' originates by its general term name 'shell' of the kernel. It means being an outer layer of interface between the user and the kernel (the innards of the operating system). It allows the user to handle a system in a flexible way for conversation and taking initiative.�It  also allows the user for task automation.
     
16. Shell Programming.
    The Bash shell is the main port for entering into Linux. The shell interprets everything you enter on the command line before passing it along to the operating system for execution. Bash has its own powerful built-in programming language. 
       
17. Securities in Linux.
    Linux is very relevant in terms of  security. It is highly recommended to use Linux for asking a very secure platform. Linux security system works as a fort for different sorts of  virus, worms, Trojans and data loss. It also prevents the data hacking. 
       
18. Limitations of Linux
    Though Linux has lots of advantages and significance, it has some limitations too.