Linux

Linux introduction

Linux has been around for more than 25 years. When used in typical conversations, people mean different operating systems, such as Ubuntu and Fedora, that are used instead of Windows or Mac and based on the Linux kernel.

While only a small percentage of desktops run a Linux operating system, called a distro, the kernel has revolutionized the computer world because it runs on many systems that are not personal computers. Linux-based operating systems are used on mainframe computers, servers, and many entertainment devices used in homes, such as smart TVs. The kernel also is the foundation for Android and other mobile devices.

OS-College is focused on teaching and explaining open-source and cross-platform software. All of the applications covered on this Website run on the various Linux distros, as well as Windows and Mac.

Therefore, this Website has pages and videos about the different distros. Currently it will focus on Linux Mint and Ubuntu.

 

Ubuntu

Ubuntu 16.04 desktopUbuntu was first released on October 20, 2004 as version 4.10. The word “Ubuntu” is from ancient Africa and means “humanity to others” and “I am who I am because of who we all are.”

It is based on Debian, an operating system that is based on the Linux kernel and first released in 1993. Debian was one of the first Linux distros.

A new version is released every six months. Every version has at least nine months of updates for hardware and security patches. However, every fourth version has long-term support (LTS), which gives five years of updates.

Since the 11.04 (released April 2011), Unity has been used as the default user interface. However, version 18.04 will feature the Gnome 3 interface.

There are several variants of Ubuntu that use other interfaces. They include Kubuntu (based on KDE), Xubuntu (based on Xfce), and Lubuntu (based on LXDE).

Linux Mint

Linux Mint 18.2 Sarah desktopThis distro was released in 2006, and it is based on Ubuntu and Debian. The operating system was designed to be powerful and easy to use.

Mint has a look and feel similar to Windows 7, with a bar across the bottom and a button that reveals a menu at the bottom, left corner of the screen.

Since version 13, Cinnamon has been the default interface for Linux Mint. It is based on Gnome 3, and it was first released in 2011. The Linux Mint team developed it because Gnome 3 did not fit its design goals.

The installation comes with codecs, so you can watch standard DVDs on the computer it is installed. It also comes with various other applications developed by the Mint team, as well as standard software that is available to other Linux distros (e.g. LibreOffice and Firefox).

Laptops with Linux distros

OS-College does more than communicate about the features of these operating systems. The company also tests them on laptops that it refurbishes.

Typically, it will acquire a laptop without a hard drive, and install one; then it will upgrade the RAM. After that it will install one of the above distros on the laptop.

They are sold through Bonanza. Here are the computers OS-College has available: