Linux
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Linux [1] is an operating system (OS) closely related to Unix [2]. Linux is an Open Source OS which means that anyone can access the original source code and modify it to suit their purposes. This has resulted in the many different flavors of Linux referred to as distributions (distros). Linux is noted for being supported by many free software packages that replace the proprietary software used in many operating systems. There are free and open source word processors for example.
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History:
Linux started as the GNU Project [3] which produced many software/utility packages for a future OS they wished to develop. Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernal, the heart of the OS, in 1991. Torvalds combined his kernal with the GNU software and Linux was born. [4]
Who uses Linux?
Linux is a very small fraction (about 2%) of desktop computers worldwide, however it is a leader in cellphones and tablets, it being the core of the Android OS. The Apple iOS and Android are the two major players in these markets. Additionally, the server market, in particular Internet Service Providers, is dominated by Unix and Linux machines with about 60% of that market.
Linux as Utility
Many technicians supporting Microsoft Windows operating systems use a bootable Linux LiveCD/DVD [5] to access hard drives to perform repairs and retrieve data that may be lost if their repair efforts require them to format and reinstall Windows. In addition, there are distros of Linux made to do computer forensic work with, these are used by experienced computer security people to examine and clean up computers infected with viruses or malware.
Pros and Cons of running Linux
PROS: Linux, due to its architecture, doesn't require defragging. Being a very small part of the overall market share for desktop computers, there are few Linux viruses to contend with, the virus writers concentrate on the Windows platform. Linux installs are generally much smaller than Windows installs and can run on much older hardware. Many old Windows XP machines that cannot handle Windows 7 and beyond do well with a Linux install. Linux is a free OS, there is no direct cost to the user. It is a very stable OS.
CONS: While many modern distros are user friendly out of the box, there is a significant learning curve with Linux. Many basic operations work differently and are a bit more complex on Linux. Additionally, there are some software packages, not many, that are unavailable for Linux users. There has been significant improvement in gaming for Linux of late, but many games are simply not available. There is a Windows emulator for Linux, Wine, [6] but it doesn't always perform as well as a native Windows environment. There are also some hardware driver issues for Linux users that require advanced expertise at times to overcome.
