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Why Linux Is The Future of Computing

Presentation to La Trobe Valley Miniconf.

July !th" #$%http://levlafayette.com

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The Computer &e'olution

The electronic networked computer is the single most important

technology of the contemporary age. Like all great transformativetechnologies it is a combination of existing technologies synthesizedinto a new and improved system.

First generation

computers !"#"$!"%%.&econd generationcomputers 'transitors(!"%%$!")*Third generation

computers 'integrated+ircuit( !")!$Fourth generationcomputers ',nternet-multiprocessor '!""#$.. (

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What Is Linux (ny)ay*

Linux is a nix$like kernel for an operating system first released in

!""!. The Linux kernel is usuallybundled with the 0 operatingsystem utilities.

0 Linux is a Free and

1pen &ource operatingsystem. The source codemay be viewed- modified- copied-and distributed. 2any applicationsalso use this sort of license 'or

something very close( but are notLinux specific. This includes Libre1ffice- Firefox- 3pache webserver- database systems 'e.g.-4ostgres- 2y&5L(- compiler suites '++(. 0 Linux is typicallyaccessed through bundles of packages known as distributions.6istributions may include different package managers- different desktopenvironments etc.

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( +,- Linux F// Map

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Why Linux /uccee1s

Linux succeeds because of four interrelated reasons:

!( ,t is derived and mostly compatible with nix operating systems. nixdates back from !")8- itself a +$based rewrite from 2ultics- a pro7ectthat was initiated in !"?9. 6espite being relatively new '!""!(- 0Linux comes with the experience of around fifty years of computer

development.

8( ecause of the F1&& license it has a powerful community ofenthusiasts- professionals- and supportive businesses.

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Linux an1 The Future

+omputational devices are becoming more powerful 'roughly doubling

in processing and storage capacity every two years- an oberved metricthat has been true since !"% 'Moore's 'LawD from the !"?%publication(. 3 typical home computer desktop by 8*8* will have !? T>of storage- !8 > of E32- !** >,4& of manycore processing.

+omputing is becoming increasing ubiuitous @the ,nternet of thingsB-expansion of machine$to$machine communication- and expansion ofcomputational devices 'e.g.- #6 printing(. 3>, Eesearch estimates #*billion devices connected by 8*8*.

This situation will mean that the key features of Linux- both technicaland social- will be in increasing demand. Gowever- expectations existfor monopolistic attempts to truncuate this potential 'e.g.- softwarepatents- anticompetitive practises- technological blocks etc(.

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Linux an1 The Future