linux

Linux is a free, open source operating system developed and distributed by volunteers. It was named after its initial developer, Linux Torvalds, in 1991. Linux takes many different forms since its open nature has encouraged creative development to fit a wide variety of needs. Linux can be found embedded in tiny components such as DVD players and watches, and also in some of the world’s most powerful super-computers. Read more Wikipedia.

Ubuntu Linux

March 05, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Operating Systems

ubuntu_logo

Availability: Labs | Free Download
Comparable: Red Hat Linux, CentOS Linux
Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system, with Unity as its default desktop environment. It is based on free software and named after the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu (literally, “human-ness”), which often is translated as “humanity towards others” or “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”.
A default installation of Ubuntu contains a wide range of software that includes LibreOffice, Firefox, ThunderBird, Transmission, and several lightweight games such as Sudoku and chess.  Many additional software packages, including titles no longer in the default installation such as Evolution, GIMP, Pidgin, and Synaptic, are accessible from the built in Ubuntu Software Center as well as any other APT based package management tool. Execution of Microsoft Office and other Microsoft Windows applications can be facilitated via the Wine compatibility package or through the use of a virtual machine such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation.
Tags: linuxoperating system

CentOS Linux

February 24, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Operating Systems

Availability: Free download
Comparable: Red Hat Enterprise Linux
CentOS (abbreviated from Community Enterprise Operating System) is a linux operating system that serves as the free, open source, functionally compatible mirror to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, its upstream source of code.  CentOS is often used by amateur developers or server administrators for testing purposes, or even in a live production environment.
Tags: linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

February 24, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Operating Systems

redhat_logo

Availability: Faculty/Staff
Comparable:  CentOS Linux, Ubuntu Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a Linux distribution developed by Red Hat and targeted toward the commercial market.  It is often abbreviated to RHEL, although this is not an official designation.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is frequently used to power high security, high availability, and large scale servers across the enterprise and the internet.  Red Hat systems are also frequently used as a platform for large database systems like Oracle and ERP systems like Banner.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is built from open source software, but the Red Hat Enterprise distribution is built with support comments that are licensed with a subscription cost.  For a free open source alternative that is identical minus the support, look at CentOS.

Tags: linux