Free/ Open Source Software Resources & FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Linux? Isn't it the same as Unix?
 
Answer: Linux is an operating system kernel written from scratch by Linus Torvalds and subsequently developed, extended and maintained by a large group of developers world wide. Though similar to Unix by way of some mannerisms, commands and protocols that Linux supports.

 

Question: What do you mean by Free Software? Is it really available at no charge?
 
Answer: The free in Free Software refers to Freedom, not Price. (Think "Free Speech" rather than "Free Lunch"!) The term Free software essentially refers to software that is free to use, study, modify and redistribute under the terms of a free license. Most free software is, however, also available free of charge or for a very low charge (typically the cost of distributing the software). 

 

Question: I thought a gnu was a South African antelope! Why do people keep saying gnu/Linux? What does a gnu have to do with Linux?
 
Answer: You're right - a gnu is a South African antelope. However, when people mention GNU with respect to Linux, they are referring to the GNU project, a project to create a  free Unix-like operating system.
 
The GNU project started in 1984 by Richard Stallman and later lead to the establishment of the Free Software Foundation. Some tools of the GNU project that you could be using (if you are already a GNU/Linux user) are the GNU Compiler Collection (gcc), the GNU C Library (glibc) and the very popular Emacs editor.

 

Question: Okay - so who owns GNU/Linux and all this Free Software?
 
Answer: No one entity. Most free / open source software is owned by their developers (individuals, groups, non-profit or commercial organisations etc.). Actually, owned is not the correct word here - software is never really owned (like cars or houses). Software ownership is specified through "Copyright" and copyrights are owned by the creators (developers here) of the work (software in this case).

 

Question: I don't find anyone using GNU/Linux or Free Software. How do I know its a safe thing to use in the long run?
 
Answer: Don't worry is one of the first things we like to say here! FOSS and GNU/Linux usage and awareness is growing day by day. And it will soon get to a computer near you. If you start using GNU/Linux today, you are already helping it spread.
 
 

Question: What exactly can I do with GNU/Linux and Free Software?
 
Answer: Plenty of things. You can use it on a desktop, a server, a hand held computer, an embedded system, a cluster and even mobile phone! You should be able to comfortably do everything that you need to use a computer for. Welcome to the wonderful world of GNU/Linux and Free Software!

 

Question: Free Software people keep mentioning hackers. But I am told that hackers are evil and cause harm! So why should I use Free Software then?
 
Answer: They're wrong. Hackers are actually nice people - its the crackers who're bad. The Wikipedia describes hackers as "people proficient in computers, who employ a tactical, rather than strategic, approach to computer programming, administration, or security". See - nothing evil or harmful about this!
 
On the other hand, its the crackers who break into computers and do the harm. We encourage you to correct people who misuse and confuse hackers with crackers, the good with the bad.

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