Linux is an open-source operating system initially created as a hobby by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The Linux kernel forms the base of all Linux systems and is developed under the GNU license with freely available source code. There are now hundreds of companies and individuals that have released their own versions of Linux operating systems based on the Linux kernel due to its functionality, adaptability, and robustness being a main alternative to proprietary Unix and Microsoft systems.

1. What is Linux
Linux is an operating system that was initially created as a hobby by a young student, Linus
Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linus had an interest in Minix, a small UNIX
system, and decided to develop a system that exceeded the Minix standards. He began his
work in 1991 when he released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version
1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released. The kernel, at the heart of all Linux systems, is
developed and released under the GNU General Public License and its source code is freely
available to everyone. It is this kernel that forms the base around which a Linux operating
system is developed. There are now literally hundreds of companies and organizations and
an equal number of individuals that have released their own versions of operating systems
based on the Linux kernel.
Apart from the fact that it's freely distributed, Linux's functionality, adaptability and
robustness, has made it the main alternative for proprietary Unix and Microsoft operating
systems

2. ¿Qué es Linux?
Linux es un sistema operativo que fue creado inicialmente como un hobby por un joven
estudiante, Linus Torvalds, en la Universidad de Helsinki en Finlandia. Linus had an interest
in Minix, a small UNIX system, and decided to develop a system that exceeded the Minix
standards. Linus tenía un interés en Minix, un pequeño sistema UNIX, y decidió desarrollar
un sistema que supera los estándares de Minix. He began his work in 1991 when he
released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel
was released. Comenzó su trabajo en 1991, cuando se lanzó la versión 0.02 y trabajó
constantemente hasta 1994, cuando la versión 1.0 del núcleo Linux fue liberada. The kernel,
at the heart of all Linux systems, is developed and released under the GNU General Public
License and its source code is freely available to everyone. El núcleo, en el corazón de todos
los sistemas Linux es desarrollado y liberado bajo la GNU General Public License y su código
fuente está disponible libremente para todo el mundo. It is this kernel that forms the base
around which a Linux operating system is developed. Este es el núcleo que forma la base
alrededor de la cual es el sistema operativo desarrollado un sistema Linux. There are now
literally hundreds of companies and organizations and an equal number of individuals that
have released their own versions of operating systems based on the Linux kernel. En la
actualidad hay cientos de empresas y organizaciones y un número igual de individuos que
han lanzado sus propias versiones de sistemas operativos basados en el kernel de Linux.
More information on the kernel can be found at our sister site, LinuxHQ and at the official
Linux Kernel Archives . The current full-featured version is 2.6 (released December 2003)
and development continues.
Aparte del hecho de que es de distribución gratuita, la funcionalidad de Linux, la
adaptabilidad y robustez, se ha convertido en la principal alternativa para la propiedad de
Unix y sistemas operativos de Microsoft.