An operating system that should only be used for hardcore developing and 24/7 services. Gaming on Linux is almost impossible. Linux is everything but user-freindly.
by Mr.Wobble June 21, 2004
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called "Linux" distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called "Linux" distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
by Some_random_Anon November 15, 2020
An operating system second only to UNIX, but since UNIX isn't free Linux will have to do. Frequently insulted by cockjockies who's only experience with a computer is games and only experience with women is 'Saucy-sues-spanking-hotline'.
As the saying goes "Linux you can get a less powerful opperating system ut it will cost you more and Bill Gates is a greedy cunt."
by Doge September 22, 2003
If Operating Systems Ran The Airlines...
Mac Airlines
All the stewards, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look and act exactly the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are gently but firmly told that you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without your ever having to know, so just shut up.
Windows XP Air
You turn up at the airport, the staff help you to your seat. When in the airplane, you experience a little turbulence. You had to pay extra for a plane to fly next to you to protect you from viruses, but it's worth the danger to be in a plane with such a comfortable seat.
Linux Air
Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. Don't even think of coming on this plane unless you have a degree in physics, engineering and metalworking. You have to assemble your seat out of ill-fitting parts that take hours to find. Your chiropracter gave you a special cushion you have to use during flight, but the staff gently remind you that you need to spend hours looking for a compatibility layer to use it with. You nearly have your seat set up, bar one piece. So you ask the person next to you if he knows where any other pieces are, and he replies with "STFU No0B!! U R A LAMER!!!" You wish you flew with Windows XP.
Mac Airlines
All the stewards, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents look and act exactly the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you are gently but firmly told that you don't need to know, don't want to know, and everything will be done for you without your ever having to know, so just shut up.
Windows XP Air
You turn up at the airport, the staff help you to your seat. When in the airplane, you experience a little turbulence. You had to pay extra for a plane to fly next to you to protect you from viruses, but it's worth the danger to be in a plane with such a comfortable seat.
Linux Air
Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start their own airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the runways themselves. Don't even think of coming on this plane unless you have a degree in physics, engineering and metalworking. You have to assemble your seat out of ill-fitting parts that take hours to find. Your chiropracter gave you a special cushion you have to use during flight, but the staff gently remind you that you need to spend hours looking for a compatibility layer to use it with. You nearly have your seat set up, bar one piece. So you ask the person next to you if he knows where any other pieces are, and he replies with "STFU No0B!! U R A LAMER!!!" You wish you flew with Windows XP.
Linux is useless for everyday programs. For servers, why not, but not every person's XP crashes. In fact, I haven't had a crash in Windows since 98. My Linux is so screwed up though, I can't even copy and paste.
by dRyx. July 22, 2008
1. An operating system kernel that was developed in 1991 in Helsinki, Poland by a programmer by the name of Linux Torvalds. Torvalds made an interesting choice as to making the kernel open-source, meaning that anyone was allowed to look at the kernel's code, use it, modify it, and/or redistribute it. Over the years, the kernel was patched, modified, and redistributed so many times that it's more stable and secure than Microsoft's Windows NT kernel, which has been doing nothing but collecting dust over the last 20 years.
2. A series of UNIX-like operating systems made using the Linux kernel. Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, openSuSE, Slackware, Mandriva, Gentoo, these are all popular Linux distributions. Some are made for power-users, others are made for the average user, looking for a better computing experience. Linux has a horrible reputation about not being user friendly, and that's partially true. But more recent versions of Linux such as Debian, Ubuntu, Mandriva, etc. are very user friendly, and have graphical tools so that you wouldn't have to use the command line utility most of the time.
2. A series of UNIX-like operating systems made using the Linux kernel. Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, openSuSE, Slackware, Mandriva, Gentoo, these are all popular Linux distributions. Some are made for power-users, others are made for the average user, looking for a better computing experience. Linux has a horrible reputation about not being user friendly, and that's partially true. But more recent versions of Linux such as Debian, Ubuntu, Mandriva, etc. are very user friendly, and have graphical tools so that you wouldn't have to use the command line utility most of the time.
Linux was and always will be the pioneer of the open-source world. The kernel's currently up to release 2.6.39.
Nearly everything we use today, be that calculators, ATMs, or even your own smartphone is powered using Linux. 10 of the world's fastest supercomputers use Linux as its kernel.
GNU/GPL software make up the rest of the operating system and apps. "GNU/Linux" is the way lawyers say it in court.
Nearly everything we use today, be that calculators, ATMs, or even your own smartphone is powered using Linux. 10 of the world's fastest supercomputers use Linux as its kernel.
GNU/GPL software make up the rest of the operating system and apps. "GNU/Linux" is the way lawyers say it in court.
by teh5abiking July 22, 2011
Many people think it is an OS, but it is actually just a clever trap devised to capture and mark elitist morons so normal people can avoid them.
"Nice to meet you, what operating system do you use?"
"Linux because it is so stable and it runs everything better then eveyrthing else and it is perfect and better then any other OS"
"Goodbye!"
"Linux because it is so stable and it runs everything better then eveyrthing else and it is perfect and better then any other OS"
"Goodbye!"
by TheDog November 28, 2005
An Operateing System that's great for running network servers, but despite it being increadable stable, you have to be a Guru to make it work.
Also when it does crash, and yes it does occasionally, it does a spectacular crash.
Also when it does crash, and yes it does occasionally, it does a spectacular crash.
Every OS has it's place in the world of computing:
Windows - Gameing/Network Clients/Home Users
Linux/Unix - Servers
MacOS - Multimedia and Special Effects
Not that they're limited to these roles, it's just that's where they best perform.
Windows - Gameing/Network Clients/Home Users
Linux/Unix - Servers
MacOS - Multimedia and Special Effects
Not that they're limited to these roles, it's just that's where they best perform.
by Canadamus_Prime September 7, 2005