Linux – what exactly is it?

Linux is released under the GPL license. This guarantees that the same freedom will apply to all users of Linux. No one has the right to take the source code for Linux and to use it in closed, proprietary software. No one can turn Linux into a locked, proprietary system like Windows.

A free operating system gives the user control. A business that uses Linux has the full right to create a tailor made system to suit its needs. The business can correct errors that occur itself or hire to anyone to make changes. This is important in an operationally critical system. If you use a closed, proprietary operating system, you are at the mercy of the individual supplier’s goodwill and effectiveness in correcting errors.

The first version of Linux was developed by the Finnish Linus Torvalds in 1991. He invited other expert programmers to contribute to its development. Today Linux and related programs are the IT world’s greatest act of voluntary work. Many thousands of programmers contribute their code to the system, all under Linux’s management.

With so many resources involved, programming errors (”bugs”) are easily detected and rapidly handled. This is also important for a business’s operationally critical systems.

Linux provides businesses with more freedom and control in addition to stability and security. Together the different Linux versions (Red Hat, Ubuntu, Debian, Novell SUSE and many more) have achieved the number 2 position in the market in a short time and are used on ever more desktops.