The
Kernel
A kernel alone does nothing interesting, though, and must be accompanied
by a slate of tools, utilities, and other programs--some almost
as low-level as the kernel--that perform tasks such as file system
management, memory allocation, and hardware control. People new
to Linux are often surprised to find that many of the commands
they use, such as ls and cd, are really launching small independent
programs. Most of these were written not by the Linux developers
but by the FSF. So much of any Linux system is actually GNU tools
that many FSF advocates insist that Linux should rightfully be
called GNU/Linux.
Distro -Tech
Anyone can build his own Linux OS by assembling components (and
some people actually have), but the process is extremely complex
and time-consuming. This is where many commercial and noncommercial
entities have found their place in the open-source ecosystem.
Several organizations have removed much of the labor and tedium
of acquiring, installing, and administering Linux applications
by creating distributions (often referred to in Linux parlance
as "distros"), which add installers, management tools,
software management systems, and other utilities.
Because of the GPL, organizations can't charge for Linux itself.
Instead, they've created products by wrapping these higher-level
tools around the core of Linux, bundling them onto one or more
CDs, and selling them with the promise of support.
Because Linux is componentized and customizable, distribution
vendors are able to pick a niche and tailor their products to
fill it. Mandrake, for instance, is the easiest to install, and
the distribution best suited for new users unfamiliar with Unix.
Debian pulls in the opposite direction, focusing on standards,
security, and software stability. Debian often waits longer to
incorporate new versions of software to make sure that most bugs
and security holes have been identified. But at the core they
are all Linux, and they all run the same software. An experienced
user will feel at home on any of them, but each tends to develop
its own personality and its own base of supporters.
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