Linux
From Homestar Runner Wiki
Linux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel and the GNU userland. Distributions of the GNU/Linux Operating System (commonly termed "Linux" outside of the FOSS) are called "distros", and are are mostly distinguished by their package management, release cycles, and philosophies.
The Free Software Movement was founded in 1983 by Richard Stallman to advocate software freedom.[1] In 1985 Stallman announced the establishment of the GNU Project, with the purpose of creating a completely free Unix-like Operating System, which would be called GNU. Contributors to the Project succeeded in creating an almost complete GNU system, but progress on its microkernel, the HURD, stalled.
Linus Torvalds wrote an operating system kernel for his personal usage in 1991, a monolithic kernel based on Minix (which at the time was only free for educational usage). Torvalds released his kernel under under GNU's GPL license, and the GNU Project adopted it in absence of the HURD in 1992. Torvalds' kernel became known as Linux. The combination of GNU and the Linux kernel form the GNU/Linux Operating System.
The development of GNU/Linux is the earliest and the most prominent example of free software collaboration; generally the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed by anyone under the terms of the GNU GPL and other free licenses.
References to Linux
- Hallrunner — If you fight the computer, you are told that "You reformat and install Linux. Nice work."
- Email virus — Upon opening the email, Strong Bad says that the words "Strong Ba" are "getting eaten by some Linux or something".
- 4 Gregs — Open Source Greg's laptop has a picture of a penguin similar to Tux, the Linux mascot, on it.
- Teen Girl Squad Issue 15 — Open Source Greg's avatar's name, xxUBUNTUFAN91xx, refers to Ubuntu, an open source distribution of Linux.
