You know of macOS and Windows, iOS and Android, but have you ever heard of Linux? If not, I guarantee you're not the only one. For years the high powers have tried to hide it. But today, Linux is calling the shots.

https://youtu.be/tVxuy4s8VKA

Before getting any further, we need to look at what an operating system, or OS, is. An operating system is responsible for uniting the hardware and software on your computer and gives you access and control over everything, an example being macOS.

When shopping for computers, it will come with either Windows or macOS when looking at mobile devices, it's either Android or iOS. What if I told you there was another option? One hidden in the background, calling the shots at each of these big-name companies? Its name is Linux.

Linus Torvals creator of Linux

Linux is an operating system developed by Linus Torvals in 1994 and has continued development as an open-source project under the Linux Foundation. Linux was built like UNIX, an OS developed by AT&T in the 70s, more on that later.

History of UNIX

Before continuing, it's important to note how open source projects work so, here is an example. You have developed a program, say a basic text editor, you can only enter plain old text, no formatting. You release your app as an open-source project where anyone can go online and download the code you wrote to make the app. I download your app, and I love everything about it, except for the fact I can't underline text. So I download the code you wrote and add the underline feature. I liked the result, so I'm going to send it back to you. You can decide if you want to add the feature to your app or discard it. Now imagine this on the grand scale, millions of independent developers around the world, working together to improve the apps they use daily. That's open source.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpeDK1TPbew

Now back to Linux, and it's time for me to be honest, there is no such thing as LinuxOS. Linux is the name of the kernel. I don't want to get too technical, but essentially it's the software that allows the apps to communicate with the hardware. Since the Linux kernel is open source, people and companies have been able to download it and adapt it to their needs. This openness is what has allowed Linux to flourish today.

If you want to give Linux a try on your home computer, you have multiple distributions to choose from. Each one is developed to serve a specific need or style.

Keeping in mind the way open-source software works, here is how it translates to Linux operating systems. The Linux Foundation makes the Linux kernel then people and companies will build a desktop environment that runs on top of the kernel. The desktop environment makes computers more accessible by giving users access to a keyboard and mouse, easily open folders and files, browse the web, and more. The Linux OSs at the top of the pyramid includes Debian, Slackware, and RedHat. From there smaller developers can take those OSs and mend them to their needs without as much work. For instance, a Linux developer is a Hannah Montana fan. So, what does he do? He takes vanilla Ubuntu and gives it a Hanna Montana twist. This may sound completely made up but it's a real option. Below is a link to a Computer Clan video where he gives Hannah Montana OS go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvDad7aQ2U8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl6wuvcFp5o

Getting back on topic, this freedom has allowed for the creation of a wide range of unique distributions to thrive.