Intro to Intro to GNU/Linux

What's going on here?

This is a class introducing the GNU/Linux operating system: what it is, why it matters, how to install and use it.

Who are you?

Your instructor. My name is $NAME, I'm a volunteer with Free Geek Seattle.

What's that?

What is GNU/Linux?

It is an operating system and a collection of software. It's the intersection of GNU and Linux. Linux is the kernel, the part that handles hardware, drivers, scheduling and so forth. GNU is the collection of software that makes up much of the rest of the PC_Operating_System. It also includes the software used to build Linux.

GNU

GNU is also a project which develops and maintains the software. It was started in 1984 by Richard Stallman as a Free Software alternative to UNIX.

Linux

Linux started in 1993 at the instigation of Linus Torvalds. Linux is still in charge as BDFL of the project.