I do find it most amusing that Linux, the open source operating system invented by Linus Torvalds back in 1991, is now so prevalent in our everyday lives.
Long perceived as the poor relative to Microsoft’s Windows operating system and Apple’s Mac OS X (although both Mac OS X and Linux are Unix-based). Retailers rarely make Linux-based operating systems available as an option for new computer purchases preferring either a Windows variant or in Apple’s case only offering their own flavour of software.
Despite being free, Linux has long been perceived as the domain of geeks, accessible only by those inclined towards delving deeply in to the inner workings of a computer but the long extorted adage of ‘blessed are the geeks for they shall inherit the earth!’ seems destined to come true if indeed the current trends continue.
Google is at the forefront of the Linux cavalry charge with their insanely popular Android mobile device operating system. Now the world’s leading mobile OS, Android has seen explosive growth since its launch just over 2 years ago, driven by its free unit cost to manufacturers and Google’s marketing clout that enables Android devices to integrate so closely with their highly popular web-based services.
Google are also leading Android’s assault on the desktop environment with the development of its Chrome OS, a Linux based operating system designed around Google’s Chrome web browser designed to provide web access and services delivered solely through the web. Offline support is provided via HTML5 to ensure the device doesn’t cease to function when offline.
Canonical have been the most ardent of supporters of Linux with their iterations of Ubuntu, probably the most popular desktop Linux OS. It offers rock solid performance and a beautiful minimalist environment as well as increasing hardware support for no cost. It has risen in popularity as it works well on low-powered netbooks which have become increasingly prevalent lately.
Beyond the computing environment, numerous consumer devices run some form of the Linux system including set-top boxes, televisions, gaming consoles, networking equipment, network storage devices, media players. Its pervasiveness is increasing all the time and with an increasing amount of computing done via mobile or handheld devices, Linux, through Android’s popularity in particular, seems set to emerge as the world’s leading computing platform after all.
Despite being free, Linux has long been perceived as the domain of geeks, accessible only by those inclined towards delving deeply in to the inner workings of a computer but the long extorted adage of ‘blessed are the geeks for they shall inherit the earth!’ seems destined to come true if indeed the current trends continue.
Google is at the forefront of the Linux cavalry charge with their insanely popular Android mobile device operating system. Now the world’s leading mobile OS, Android has seen explosive growth since its launch just over 2 years ago, driven by its free unit cost to manufacturers and Google’s marketing clout that enables Android devices to integrate so closely with their highly popular web-based services.
Google are also leading Android’s assault on the desktop environment with the development of its Chrome OS, a Linux based operating system designed around Google’s Chrome web browser designed to provide web access and services delivered solely through the web. Offline support is provided via HTML5 to ensure the device doesn’t cease to function when offline.
Canonical have been the most ardent of supporters of Linux with their iterations of Ubuntu, probably the most popular desktop Linux OS. It offers rock solid performance and a beautiful minimalist environment as well as increasing hardware support for no cost. It has risen in popularity as it works well on low-powered netbooks which have become increasingly prevalent lately.
Beyond the computing environment, numerous consumer devices run some form of the Linux system including set-top boxes, televisions, gaming consoles, networking equipment, network storage devices, media players. Its pervasiveness is increasing all the time and with an increasing amount of computing done via mobile or handheld devices, Linux, through Android’s popularity in particular, seems set to emerge as the world’s leading computing platform after all.
A win for the little guy…
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