A basic introduction to Linux: The history

1. LINUXLINUX
INTRODUCTIINTRODUCTI
ONONPresenter:
Amit Kumar Nath
&
Jiban Krishna Adhikary

2. PHASE 01: LINUX BASICS
Introduction To Linux

3. OVERVIEWOVERVIEW
 What is Unix/Linux?
 History of Linux
 Features Supported Under Linux
 The future of Linux

4. BEFORE LINUXBEFORE LINUX
 In 80’s, Microsoft’s DOS was the dominated OS for PC
 Apple MAC was better, but expensive
 The history of Linux began with Unix in 1969
 Unix was created at Bell Labs with the goals:
Simplicity
Recyclable code
Written in C as opposed to assembly
 UNIX was much better, but much, much more expensive.
Only for minicomputer for commercial applications
 People was looking for a UNIX based system, which is
cheaper and can run on PC
 Both DOS, MAC and UNIX were proprietary, i.e., the source
code of their kernel is protected
 No modification is possible without paying high license fees

5. GNU PROJECTGNU PROJECT
 Established in 1984 by Richard Stallman, who believes that
software should be free from restrictions against copying or
modification in order to make better and efficient computer
programs
GNU is a recursive acronym for “GNU's Not Unix”
Aim at developing a complete Unix-like operating
system which is free for copying and modification
Companies make their money by maintaining and
distributing the software, e.g. optimally packaging the
software with different tools (Redhat, Slackware,
Mandrake, SuSE, etc)
Stallman built the first free GNU C Compiler in 1991.
But still, an OS was yet to be developed

6. BEGINNING OF LINUXBEGINNING OF LINUX
 A famous professor Andrew Tanenbaum developed Minix, a
simplified version of UNIX that runs on PC
 Minix is for class teaching only. No intention for commercial use
 In Sept 1991, Linus Torvalds, a second year student of
Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, developed the
preliminary kernel of Linux, known as Linux version 0.0.1

7. Message from Professor Andrew Tanenbaum
" I still maintain the point that designing a monolithic
kernel in 1991 is a fundamental error. Be thankful you are
not my student. You would not get a high grade for such
a design :-)“
(Andrew Tanenbaum to Linus Torvalds)
Soon more than a hundred people joined the Linux
camp. Then thousands. Then hundreds of thousands
It was licensed under GNU General Public License,
thus ensuring that the source codes will be free for all
to copy, study and to change.

8. LINUX TODAYLINUX TODAY
 Linux has been used for many computing platforms
– PC, PDA, Supercomputer,…
 Not only character user interface but graphical user
interface is available
 Commercial vendors moved in Linux itself to provide
freely distributed code. They make their money by
compiling up various software and gathering them in a
distributable format
– Red Hat, Slackware, etc

9. In order to encourage wide
dissemination of his OS, Linus made the
source code open to public. At the end
of 1992 there were about a hundred
Linux developers. Next year there were
1000. And the numbers multiplied every
year.
Recent estimates say about 29 million people use Linux worldwide. The effects
of the dot-com bust, IT slowdown and global economic recession can be clearly
seen.
Source: The Linux Counter
Linux: No of Users
GROWING AND GROWING…GROWING AND GROWING…

10. WHY A PENGUIN?
 Penguin as logo/mascot for Linux was discussed first
in early 1996 by several people in the linux-kernel
mailing list. The idea of such mascot came from Alan Cox
first.
 The first person called the penguin “Tux” was James
Hughes who said that it stood for “(T)orvalds (U)ni(X)”
 From the letter of Linus Torvalds: ‘Now, when you think
about penguins, first take a deep calming breath, and
then think “cuddly”. Take another breath, and think
“cute”. Go back to “cuddly” for a while (and go on
breathing), then think “contented”…. But the simple,
single penguin would be the logo, and the others would
just be that cuddly penguin being used as an actor in
some tableau.’

11. !=
Linux is Not WindowsLinux is Not Windows
Problem #1: Linux isn't exactly the same as Windows.
Problem #2: Linux is too different from Windows
Problem #3: Culture shock
Problem #5: The myth of "user-friendly"

12. WHY SHOULD YOU USE
LINUX?
 No threat of viruses
 Linux systems are extremely stable
 Linux is Free
 Linux comes with most of the required software pre-installed
 Update all your software with minimum fuss
 Linux never gets slow
 Linux does not need defragmentation
 Linux can even run on oldest hardware
 Adding more software is a matter of a few clicks
 Most Windows-only apps have their either their native version
or alternatives for Linux
 With Linux, you get the highest degree of possible
customizability

13. FORGET ABOUT VIRUSES!!
 Security has always been the number one priority
with Linux
 Linux has a robust security system
 There do not exist viruses for the Linux platform

14. IS YOUR SYSTEM UNSTABLE ?
 Have you ever lost your precious work because
Windows crashed? Have you ever gotten the "blue
screen of death" or error messages telling you that
the computer needs to be shut down for obscure
reasons?
 Crashes or freezes are not prevalent in Linux

15. LINUX IS FREE!!
 Linux is free and always will be as compared to the
very costly Windows and Mac OSX
 Using pirated Windows is a bad thing

16. LINUX COMES WITH SOFTWARE
BUILT-IN!!
 When the system has installed, why would you still
need to install stuff ?
 Common software such as music player, web
browser, video player, image editor, PDF reader, chat
messenger, office apps

17. UPDATING IN A SINGLE
CLICK!
 Just like Windows’ Update tool, Linux has a more
better alternative to it to update all your system in a
few clicks

18. Linux Distributions:
Red Hat Linux : One of the original Linux distribution.
The commercial, nonfree version is Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is aimed at
big companies using Linux servers and desktops in a big way. (NJIT)
Free version: Fedora Project.
Debian GNU/Linux : A free software distribution. Popular for use on servers.
However, Debian is not what many would consider a distribution for beginners, as
it's not designed with ease of use in mind.
SuSE Linux : SuSE was recently purchased by Novell. This distribution is primarily
available for pay because it contains many commercial programs, although there's
a stripped-down free version that you can download.
Mandrake Linux : Mandrake is perhaps strongest on the desktop. Originally based
off of Red Hat Linux.
Gentoo Linux : Gentoo is a specialty distribution meant for programmers.

19. The right Linux desktop
There are two major desktops in the Linux world: GNOME
and KDE. What you're looking at in a default Fedora
installation is a Red Hat-customized version of GNOME,
called Bluecurve GNOME.

20. Default Fedora Desktop
The default desktop has three distinct areas.
From top to bottom, the areas are:
The menu panel
The desktop area
The window list panel

21. THE MENU PANELTHE MENU PANEL
 Applications - The Applications menu contains a variety of icons
that start software applications. It is similar to the Microsoft
Windows Start menu.
 Places - The Places menu contains a customizable list of directories,
mounted volumes, recent documents, and a Search function.
Volumes that are mounted may be external USB drives (flash, hard
disk, CD, etc.), directories shared across a network, or other media
devices such as a portable music player.
 System - The System menu contains a variety of items.

22. SYSTEMSYSTEM MENUMENU
 Log Out
 About
 Help
 Lock Screen
 Preferences
 System Settings: configuration tools that are for
administrative purposes and usually require root
access; that is, when those applications are
started, the root password must be entered to
continue.

23. OTHERS:
 Mozilla Firefox web browser
 Evolution mail client and personal information
manager
 OpenOffice.org Writer is a word processing
program
 OpenOffice.org Impress is for creating and
giving presentations
 OpenOffice.org Calc is a spreadsheet tool

24. THE DESKTOP AREATHE DESKTOP AREA
 Computer - This contains all volumes (or disks) mounted on the
computer. These are also listed in the Places menu. Computer is
equivalent to My Computer on Microsoft Windows.
 Home - This is where the logged-in user stores all files by default, such as
music, movies, and documents. There is a different home directory for
each user, and by default users cannot access each others' home
directories. Home is equivalent to My Documents on Microsoft Windows.
 Trash - Deleted files are moved to Trash. Empty Trash by right-clicking
the icon and clicking Empty Trash.
To permanently delete a file and bypass the file's move to Trash, hold down the [Shift]
key when deleting the file.
Right-clicking on the desktop presents a menu of actions related to the desktop area.
For example, clicking on Change Desktop Background lets you choose a different
image or photograph to display on the desktop. It is possible to choose not to have
any desktop background.

25. OTHER SOFTWARE INSTALLEDOTHER SOFTWARE INSTALLED
 Audio Player: The XMMS (X Multimedia
System), which is used to play digital sound files
 CD Player: The default CD player
 Sound Juicer CD Ripper: Burn your own CDs
 Messaging Client: GAIM supports AIM, MSN,
ICQ, and many other popular IM networks
 gFTP: Useful for grabbing files through FTP
(File Transfer Protocol)

26. Terminal Window
4 MONITORS

27. Linux text-based interfaceLinux text-based interface
command to show the content
of current directory
command to show the content
of current directory with option
-al
The prompt $ shows that
bash shell is using
All LINUX commands start with the name of the
command and can be followed by options and arguments.

28. LINUX SHELLLINUX SHELL
 Shell interprets the command and
request service from kernel
 Similar to DOS but DOS has only one
set of interface while Linux can select
different shell
 Bourne Again shell (Bash), TC shell
(Tcsh), Z shell (Zsh)
Kernel
Bash, Tcsh, Zsh
ls pwd
whoami
 Different shell has similar but different functionality
 Bash is the default for Linux
 Graphical user interface of Linux is in fact an application
program work on the shell

29. Commands:
/ (root directory)
/root – home directory of the user root
pwd – you can see your home directory
df – to see disk space available
cd – to change to different directory or to go back to home dir
.. - move to parent directory
ls – list the contents of a directory; Options: -l (more info)
-a (displays hidden files)
-t (sort by time)
-r (oldest first)
Example: ls –ltr : display an long list of files that are sorted by time, display the oldest
ones first
Some of the basic commands you
should learn are the ones that help
you navigate the file system.

30. cp : copy one file to another
rm : remove a file
man : ask for the manual (or help) of a command
e.g. man cd ask for the manual of the command cd
cat : to show the content of a text file
e.g. cat abc.txt show the content of abc.txt
whoami : to show the username of the current user
Directory is denoted by a / (slash) character
Executable program by a *
Hidden file preceded by a . (dot)

31. Names in blue are directories, indicated by a
letter d at the beginning of the line
The concept of simple file and
directory is similar to DOS

32. PHASE 01: COMPLETED!

33. PHASE O2: SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATION &
FEDORA INSTALLATION

34. BASICS OF LINUX SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATION: WORKING AT THE
CONSOLE
 1. Before you begin
You need a working Linux system that includes the bash shell, so you
can practice the commands and techniques covered in this knowledge
path.
o 2. Get comfortable with the bash shell
Roll up your sleeves and get your hands on Linux, starting with
fundamentals of the bash shell's command line, including basic bash
commands, environment variables, and system information; finding,
listing, moving, copying, and archiving files.
o 3. Search and edit text files
Working in a command shell environment such as bash involves
manipulating text: cutting and pasting, joining strings together, sorting,
and concatenating.
o 4. Take control of processes
Managing processes is everyday work for Linux administrators
and developers. Learn how to shuffle processes between foreground
and background, find out what's running, kill processes, and keep
processing running after you've left for the day. Also learn how to set
and change process priorities.

35. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 1. Select Install or Upgrade Fedora.

36. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 2. Language Selection.

37. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 3. Select appropriate Keyboard.

38. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 4. Select Basic Storage device, if your hard
drive is locally attached.

39. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 5. Storage device Warning, Click Yes to discard
any data.

40. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 6. Set Hostname for your Fedora installation.

41. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 7. Click on Configure Network button if you
want to configure network during installation.

42. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 8. Click Wired tab and click on Add button. Select Connect
automatically, go to ipv4 settings tab and select Method
and select Manual in drop down. Fill address box with IP
Address, Netmask, Gateway and DNS.

43. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 9. Select nearest city in your Time Zone.

44. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 10. Set root password.

45. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 11. Select appropriate Partition as per your
requirement.

46. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 12. Verify Filesystem partition here or you can
edit filesystem if you want.

47. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 13. Format Warning, click on Format if you are
OK with it.

48. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 14. If you are confirmed, then click on Write
Change to Disk.

49. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 15. File system Formatting.

50. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 16. Install Boot Loader and if you want to set
password for Boot Loader set it.

51. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 17. Click on Customize now and select your
software’s for installation and then click on
Next.

52. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 18. Select optional Packages and click on Next
install it.

53. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 19. Installation started, this may take several
minutes as per selection of packages.

54. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 20. Packages installation is in progress.

55. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 21. Installation completed, Please remove
CD/DVD and Reboot system.

56. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 22. Screen of GRUB Boot Loader, use arrow
keys to select Fedora Linux to boot.

57. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 23. Post installation of Fedora, Welcome Screen.

58. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 24. License Information.

59. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 25. Create non-administrative user.

60. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 26. Set Date and Time for the system.

61. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 27. Hardware Profile Submitting to Fedora
Project.

62. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 28. First Login Screen of Fedora!

63. PHASE 02: FEDORA
INSTALLATION
 29. Fedora Desktop Screen.

64. PHASE 02:COMPLETED!!

65. REFERENCES
 1. http://www.tecmint.com/fedora-17-step-by-
step-installation-guide-with-screenshots/
 2.http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/training/k
p/l-kp-command/
 3. http://www.linux.org/