This document provides an introduction to Linux, including: - Linux is an open-source UNIX clone that can run on 32-bit and 64-bit hardware and take advantage of multiple processors. - It was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds as a free implementation of UNIX. - The Linux kernel is maintained by Linus Torvalds and hundreds of developers using a version numbering scheme of major.minor.patchlevel. - Linux has advantages over other operating systems for servers, developers, and desktop users due to its performance, price, stability and large community support.