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  • You might be wondering why everybody’s talking about Linux. What is it?

  • There are two answers to this question. The first is the correct answer, and that is:

  • Linux is the core of an operating system. It’s the essential software components which

  • coordinate hardware, software, and user interaction. We call this the KERNEL.

  • The second answer is a bit more vague: when some people sayLinuxwhat they are

  • talking about are Linux-based operating systemsor, in other words, operating systems built

  • around the Linux KERNEL.

  • So what is a Linux-based operating system? We usually call them Linux distributions (or

  • distros for short).

  • A typical Linux distro consists of the following:

  • The Linux Kernel The core of the Operating System, this includes

  • most drivers, though not all GNU tools and libraries

  • Command line utilities that allow for quick, easy usage and management of the system

  • The Package Manager The way the operating system manages software

  • installation, updating, and removal Documentation

  • Text documents which explain how software works and each application’s various features

  • Usually a Desktop Environment Which is software that enables you to use

  • your computer with a mouse and generates a graphical interface

  • And finally, User Applications Things like word processors, web browsers,

  • and everything else

  • There are many different Linux distributions out there. You mightve heard of Ubuntu,

  • Fedora, SteamOS, Arch, and others.

  • Why are there so many Linux Distributions? Well, that’s a great question. The simplest

  • answer is that, because both the Linux kernel and most Linux software is free, anyone can

  • make their own Linux distro to suit their tastes.

  • And that’s really what it boils down to: the Linux ecosystem is ALL about choice. You

  • get to choose how you want your computer to behave. You get to choose what software comes

  • pre-installed. You get to choose how your desktop looks and which key-combinations do

  • what.

  • Linux is up to you.

  • With great choice comes great responsibility--but only if you want it

  • There are a ton of options out there for those who are uninitiated. Ubuntu and Linux Mint

  • come to mind. These distros are designed for a comfortable end user experience; foregoing

  • the complicated initial setup that prove too high a hurdle for the average user.

  • But the advantages of Linux, even Linux with proverbial training wheels, is enormous.

  • Linux is free Both in terms of cost, and in terms of freedom,

  • you can do whatever you need to do without asking the gatekeepers permission.

  • Linux is stable Blue Screens of Death don't happen in a Linux

  • environment. There are no registry errors, and things just seem to work without complaint.

  • Linux is secure Within the Linux world, it’s pretty hard

  • to find yourself victim of viruses or other malware.

  • Linux is versatile Ever wonder what OS your cable or satellite

  • box is running? Linux. How about your phone? Many old and new phones are powered by Linux.

  • How about fancy carsor even fancier refrigerators? You guess it. Linux.

  • Linux is cool The Raspberry Pi runs Linux. And so does this

  • rad PC-powered arcade cabinet. Valve’s new gaming-specific operating system: Linux. I’d

  • call that a checkmate.

  • Over the next couple months, I’ll be creating a series of videos aimed at explaining Linux;

  • basic concepts like the terminal, the filesystem, and the difference between native and non-native

  • games. If youve got an idea for one of these videos, you can share it down in the

  • comments or tweet it to me @TheLinuxGamer. And if you like what you just watched, you

  • can share this with your friends.

  • While youre here you can check out some of my other videos, and don’t forget to

  • subscribe for more videos like this from me, The Linux Gamer. Thanks for watching!

You might be wondering why everybody’s talking about Linux. What is it?

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