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Hello,

Brief story of Linux and FOSS[Free & Open Source Software]

Linux <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux> kernel[the program which forms
the core of operating system] was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 in
Helsinki, Finland as part of his research project. What sets it apart from
others though, is that Linus put it on the web for review and modifications
for other developers and users. This led to birth of Open Source
development<http://opensource.org/>,
meaning developers share the code and programs with the world and allow it
to be modified and improved upon.
There was another project going on related to licencing issues and ensuring
freedom of sharing technology - the GNU <http://www.gnu.org/> project. Most
related applications like shell, mail, text editors, etc. were developed by
GNU under Richard M. Stallman. GNU also drafted the General Public Licence.

Linus had released his code under GNU-GPL and thus the entire Unix like
Operating System, simple yet powerful, was born free and open, entirely over
the internet. With the spread of internet by late 90's, this concept of Free
and Open Source development became a mass movement. This also led to the
evolution of Hacker's culture <http://catb.org/> and changes in product
development, as defined by Eric S. Raymond, a veteran developer.

Today there are large communities and a web of developers, designers,
artists, activists, professionals and enterpreneurs spread across the entire
world who work together through the net and share knowledge and information
using these concepts and systems.

As for the Linux operating system, it has kept evolving at a fast pace, and
is used in client-server, enterprise and now also at desktop level. Many
popular sites and applications, like google, gmail, yahoo, rediff, run using
Linux and related technologies. IT giants like Sun, Oracle, IBM, etc. have
also consistently supported these initiatives. Many of the standards and
projects are funded/backed by United Nations as well as various governments.

- Girish Shukla
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RiG Services - India
Technology and Business Solutions


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