Evolution of Linux OS

Jeewantha Lahiru
4 min readMar 29, 2020

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The inception of operating system dates back to the very first time humans got introduced to the computing services, the vacuum tube semiconductor devices. The only difference between computers of that age and the ones that we use now is the speed at which they perform operations. Operating systems have evolved significantly over time and have made tremendous growth. One such is Linux which was launched as an underlying GNU project by Richard Stallman in the year 1983, but it went on to become a global sensation in no time. Did you know that almost 90% percent of the supercomputers in the world use Linux operating system and the principal developer of Linux, Linus Torvalds was once offered a job at Apple. Surprising, isn’t it? Here in this blog, our team of writers that provides Linux assignment help has created the entire timeline to take you through the journey of this magnificent operating system. Take a look:

1991

Linus Torvalds, a young programmer from Finland announces he is working on a free operating system under the banner of Usenet newsgroup. The company subsequently launches the first active version Linux 0.01 on the Internet.

1993

Slackware

Patrick Volkerding launches Slackware, first Linux distribution ever. The same year Ian Murdock released the initial version of Debian that laid the base for Ubuntu, MEPIS, etc. The first book on Linux programming and installation gets launched.

1995

An instrumental year in terms of Linux marketing as the company holds first ever Linux expo. It went on to become a tradition for the next several years. It was the first trade show of its kind and featured many software and updates by various marketers.

1997

Linux Kernel 2.0

The Tux mascot was created and company launches new version called Linux Kernel 2.0. Linux started to gain acceptance among various business organizations for its unique architecture. The same year, Bliss got discovered. A serious Linux virus that can easily sidestep the system firewall.

2000

GNOME

Linux shipments rose to an astounding 200% within three months of release of the second major version. In the year 1999, the first ever desktop version of Linux, the GNOME desktop arrives. As per the IDC report of 2000, Linux becomes the second most popular operating system for server computers in the world. But the biggest feat was achieved when Ericcson announced the first mobile phone based on Linux operating system the same year.

2007

Ubuntu

Over the span of seven years, Linux operating system faces multiple legal claims regarding the security threats by companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Apple Red Hat, etc. Plus, the company launches the first of its kind user-friendly desktop version called Ubuntu with an unusual number 4.10. With all the essential features just like any system meant for domestic use.

2008 — Present

Desktop view of Linux in present

Global users of Linux operating system touch the magical mark of 20 million in the year 2010. Many interfaces are released in the duration of next couple of years with the Google’s chromebooks being the most popular of them all. Linux 3.0 gets launched in the year 2011 with a gaming platform update in the subsequent year. Torvalds announces Linux 5.0 to be released this year with never seen before features.

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Jeewantha Lahiru
Jeewantha Lahiru

Written by Jeewantha Lahiru

Undergraduate Software Engineer in University of Kelaniya

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