Packaging Linux: The Distribution
March 18th, 2009
What people call a Linux distribution is actually the culmination of the GNU project’s tools, the Linux kernel, and any number of other open source (and
closed source) software projects that sprang up along the way. Robert Young, co-founder and current chairman of Red Hat, has coined an analogy comparing Linux to ketchup. Essentially, the operating system called Linux — including the GNU tools, Linux kernel, and other software — is a freely available commodity that, like ketchup, different distributors can package and label in different containers. Anyone is encouraged to package and
market the stuff, even though the ingredients are fundamentally the same. Linux is a complex, malleable operating system, and thus it can take on many
appearances. The greatest Linux advancement in recent years has been easier installation. After all, the tools that today enable the casual PC user to
install Linux weren’t originally available. Companies such as Red Hat saw this as an opportunity to add value to an existing product, and the concept took off like gangbusters. To draw again on the ketchup analogy, various distributions of Linux have a slightly different flavor or texture; your distribution preference may be spicy, mild, thick and gooey, or runny. However, you can rest assured that any of the following distributions have the same Linux and GNU heart and soul. Each short description in this list includes a Web address where you can find more information about each project:
- Debian GNU/Linux: This distribution — one of the oldest — is a recognized favorite among advanced technical circles. Historically, it’s relatively difficult to install. Easier to install (and use) distributions with Debian underneath are Knoppix, Ubuntu, Xandros, and Linspire (formerly known as Lindows). Of these, Ubuntu is by far the most popular, with a dedicated worldwide fan base. Debian, Knoppix and Ubuntu are free as in free beer, while Xandros and Linspire are both commercial distributions — though each has a free version you can try — created for those who really are most comfortable in Windows and don’t want to have to master the nitty-gritty of using Linux.
- Mandriva: This distribution demonstrates the power of the GPL by allowing this competing company to stand on the shoulders of giants.
Mandriva (formerly known as Mandrake) was originally based on Red Hat Linux (something that simply could not happen in a closed source
environment), but has since become an excellent solution in its own right. Mandriva offers a wide range of commercial products and services
as well as its free version. - Red Hat and Fedora: Red Hat claims the prize for successfully mass marketing the Linux operating system. Red Hat has validated Linux by
packaging the GNU and Linux tools in a familiar method of distribution (shrink-wrapped) and has included value-added features to its product,
such as telephone support, training, and consulting services. The commercial version of this distribution is Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and the free version is called Fedora. - Slackware: Of all the more widely recognized surviving Linux distributions, Slackware has been around the longest (in fact, its installation
interface remained unchanged until about a year ago). Slackware has a very loyal following, but isn’t well known outside of the Linux commu-
nity. Like Debian in terms of spirit, the Slackware crowd is as respected in Linux circles as the weathered old-timers who share stories of carry-
ing around a shoebox full of diskettes. This distribution is also free. - Novell and SuSE: (Pronounced soo-za) This distribution originally hails from Germany, where it has a very loyal following, and was purchased
by Novell, Inc., as part of the company’s new focus on Linux. Novell offers both a commercial distribution in SuSE Enterprise Linux, and a
free distribution with openSuSE, an effort similar effort to that of Fedora.
Categories: Linux Ubuntu, linux, open source, software
I’ve seen some insertions of wonderful humour into coding. There was a Fortran program who went on to bigger and brighter things who had a table of admonishments from which were randomly selected and printed out (this predated displays) a random number of times (within limits, of course) a
slap on the wrist when his code failed due to errors.
I’ve always been delighted to come across proof that a real human has written a program. I doubt that a real human could ever **want** to write C++ programs, and I’ve not seen any examples of humour or rancour incorporated into programs written in C++ or any of its progeny languages.
I imagine profanities would be more likely.
All I can say is that upon trying to do basic enough tasks in
Mandriva, its 5 times harder in Ubuntu. And although its a great
distro my reaction is that as its a “long term release” they need to
sort out the basics such as thoughs bugs, at least we get the
reasureance that mandriva is secure when it comes out. Also upon trying KUbunbtu I was shocked that the KDE 4 version worked well…after I had to restart 2 times for my british keyboard (God Knows).
Linux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Linux development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration, all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed by anyone under the terms of the GNU. Linux is gaining popularity as a desktop/laptop operating system, with the rise of netbooks and the Ubuntu distribution.
@carlgen:
Every 6 months or so, software are being updated or if not, a new release is created, this is to make sure loopholes and other security issues are dealt accordingly. So be not surprised if before programmers uses Fortran where it is one of the oldest and classic programming language compare and this point of time we are using a very most advance software technology in Operating System or in any software.
@joseph:
If time permits me to do a project, or if I am not time pressured, I would choose writing C++ programs, its one of the pioneer programming language that humanity had ever used. And don’t ask me if I am going to go deeper using Assembly Language, because I will. C++ is used in making great programs and software as well as Operating System together with the Assembly Language as well. Just come to think they are the fathers of all the advance software today.
@matthew:
I will try to use Mandriva, and see how it works well, but should check sime installation for hardware issue as well. The best therein were community so that you won/t get lost if problems arises, I hope that the operating procedures of using Mandriva is like that of the Ubuntu, I really wish it is since they are both uses Unix/Linux kernels. Seems like they are different in packages, Red Hat for Mandriva and Debian GNU for Ubuntu, like yum versus apt-get install respectively, so we need to weight the difference and stick to where we can benefit and to which we are comfortable and used in dealing with this Operating Sysytem, I am getting ready for my Mandriva Distro.
@alvin:
You are exactly right!
Packaging Linux: The Distribution | Web Development Script Guides News and Updates…
What people call a Linux distribution is actually the culmination of the GNU project’s tools, the Linux kernel, and any number of other open source (and
closed source) software projects that sprang up along the way. Robert Young, co-founder and curre…
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You are just repeating my blog post, huh…Anyway, regards to everybody….