Welcome to Linux: A Simple Introduction for New Users

What is Linux

Linux is an open- source Operating System which was originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Linux is actually a kernel (The part of OS that interacts with the Hardware) which was released under the GNU (General Public License). So, in practice we can say Linux usually refers to a complete operating system which combines the Linux kernel with various open-source software to create a fully functional OS.

Because Linux is open source, its source code is freely available in public. This means anyone can run, study, modify and share the code, for example, if you’re curious about how the system works, you can examine or tweak the code. Today Linux power everything from hobbyist desktop to enterprise server, making it one of the widely used operating system in the world.

History of Linux

In 1991 a student name “Linus Torvalds” form Finland started coadding a new kernel which was Unix like Kernel. He posted his work on the internet newsgroup inviting for feedback and contributions to the project. By September 1991, he released “Linux version 0.01(which was about 10,000 lines of code) and a month later version 0.2. These early versions were crude and initially depended on another system (MINIX), but interest grew quickly.

By late 1991, Linux had become self-hosting which was able to compile itself and in 1992 Torvalds relicensed it under the GNU General Public License. This step made The Linux Officially and open-source. After this hundred of developers from world wild began contributing in improvement and new features. Over the time Linux evolved from a personal student project into a global collaboration. Today Linux is the largest open-source project, with thousands of programmers and companies adding code and testing it.

Key Features & Advantages of Linux

Linux stands out in several key ways which attract new users and professionals:

• Free And Open-Source: The source code of the Linux is open to everyone. You can download it without any cost and even you can customize it yourself if you want. Most of the Linux distribution and applications are free to install and use
• Customizable: Linux allows you to change almost every aspect of the interface and functionality.
• Stability and Security:  Linux is known for stability. It is often used on the server and in critical system because it can run long period of time without crashing. It was built with security in mind, using a strict permission control.
• Versatility: Linux can run on a huge range of devices. It can be used in the tiny IoT devices and smartphone (Android Kernel is a Linux), as well as on the giant server and supercomputer

How Linux is Used Today

Linux isn’t just for hobbyists or developers—it’s everywhere in modern technology:

• Server And Cloud: Linux runs most of the internet. It is the leading server OS (large no of market share is with Linux)​, meaning most websites and online services run on Linux machines. Major cloud providers (like Google, Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure) heavily use Linux under the hood.
• Supercomputers: Almost all world top 500 supercomputers are on Linux. . Its stability and scalability make it ideal for high-performance computing.
• Smartphone And Tablets: Android, the mobile OS, is built on the Linux kernel. As of 2025, Android holds roughly 46% of all devices globally which means billions of users indirectly use Linux technology every day.
• Desktop and Laptop: Millions of people use Linux on Personal Computers. It is most popular among the developers, engineers, and enthusiasts, and now it is growing among general users for daily task like (web browsing, office work, education).
• Internet of Things (IoT) & Embedded Devices: Smart devices, from TVs and router to car infotainment system and industry machinery, run embedded Linux. Because it is open-source and light in resource Linux is go to product for the IoT devices.

Software Support on Linux

Linux ecosystem has mature software support for the most of the needs.

• Software centers: Most of the Linux distribution include an “app store” or a package manager where you can search and install thousands of applications with a click.
• Everyday Apps: You will find Linux version (or equivalent) of most of the everyday software, LibreOffice, email clints, music/video player, image editors (like GIMP) and many more, web browser like Firefox and chrome runs on Linux. In short anything from word processing to photo editing is covered by open-source or free software.
• Gaming: Gamming on Linux has improved greatly, Valve’s Steam platform is available on Linux, and its Proton compatibility layer (based on Wine) lets many Windows games run on Linux, but not every game is supported. Additionally, there are many native Linux games (both indie and commercial). Gamers can also use tools like WINE, Lutris, or “PlayOnLinux” to install Windows games.
• Running Windows Software: If you want to run the windows program you have few options, you can run a windows virtual machine or use WINE (a program compatibility layer) or Steam Proton to run many Windows applications and games on Linux. However, compatibility isn’t perfect for every program so it is something you have to test.
• Security And Update: Linux has built-in tool for security updates and patches which can be apply in just one click. Because Linux is a large open-source many eyes quicky finds the bug and fix it in popular applications.

Selecting a Linux Distribution

When you start exploring Linux, the first step is to picking up a Linux distribution (often called a “distro”). A distribution is an operating system that bundles the Linux kernel with various software and tools to meet different needs. Think like each distro is a ready-made package. for example, some are optimized for business or servers, some are for multimedia, and some include extra tools for developers.

Some of the beginner friendly distributions are:

• Ubuntu: A very popular choice for new users. It’s designed to be user-friendly and simple, with a large community ready to help
• Linux Mint: Based on Ubuntu, Mint is famous for its clean, familiar desktop (especially the Cinnamon edition) that feels comfortable for beginners.
• Fedora: A cutting-edge distro sponsored by Red Hat. Fedora Workstation is “a polished, easy to use operating system… with a complete set of tools for developers and makers of all kinds.

Conclusion

Linux may seem intimidating at first, but remember millions of people use it every day, and a huge community is ready to help. You don’t have to be an expert to get started, take it step-by-step, you may first try it on virtual machine then install it. Explore its friendly desktop and built-in help. As you will learn, you’ll discover the excitement of open source you can be able understand and shape how your computer works.