1. Linux What is Linux? history of Linux the Linux Kernel
areas of application

2. What is Linux? free, platform independent, multi-user operating system
supports a large amount of processors
stands under GPL (general public license)
distributed in form of Linux-Distributions
For example: SUSE, Slackware, Fedora Core, Gentoo

3. History of Linux
Linus Torvalds, the “father” of Linux, started to develop Linux in 1991
1993 licensed under GPL
"Making Linux GPL'd was definitely the best thing I ever did.", Linus Torvalds 1997
until now, a lot of projects developed around the kernel
For example the X Windows System, KDE, GNOME

4. The Linux Kernel a hybrid monolithic operating system kernel
It contains the whole operating system functionality like memory and process management and virtual interface over hardware
runs on almost every exotic hardware like iPAQ or also digital cameras and number crunchers
developed by a big international community of not profit oriented programmers