How to find your Linux/Unix version

• On command line:
  • uname -a

  • On Linux, if the lsb-release package is installed:
    lsb_release -a

  • On many Linux distributions:
    cat /etc/os-release

• In GUI (depending on GUI):
  • Settings - About

  • Settings - Details

  • System Monitor

DCU setup

• Linux (part of the broader Unix family).

• At DCU we have these Linux distributions:
  • Ubuntu (labs)
  • Debian (student.computing.dcu.ie server)
  • openSUSE (maybe some labs)

• The bash shell.
• On Ubuntu machines: The GNOME graphical user interface (GUI).
• On openSUSE machines: The GNOME graphical user interface (GUI).

In other places and companies you will meet:

• Other branches of Unix.
• Other distributions of Linux.
• Other shells.
• Other GUIs.

The Unix family

• Note Linux (open source).
  • Linux began in 1991 as a project to create a totally free and open source version of Unix.
  • Student Linux at DCU are various distributions under Linux.
  • Android comes in under Linux.
  • Chrome OS comes in under Linux.

• Note Apple Mac OS X (now macOS).
  • This evolved from NeXTSTEP, which evolved from BSD Unix.
  • iOS comes in under OS X.

• Linux is not the only open source (green/orange above) branch of the Unix tree, but it is the most successful open source branch.

The Unix / Linux family is very important

• The Unix / Linux family dominates tablets and phones.
• The Windows family dominates desktops and laptops.
• The Unix / Linux family and the Windows family divide up the server market.
• The Unix / Linux family dominates supercomputers.

• Unix / Linux runs on a wider range of devices:
  • Windows is tied to a range of specific hardware.
  • Unix / Linux family, especially through open-source and customisation, is adaptable to a far more diverse range of hardware. Can remove parts of OS that are not necessary for your hardware. Can re-write the rest.
  • As a result, Linux runs on everything - supercomputers, servers, phones, tablets, TVs, watches, games consoles, self-driving cars, etc.
  • 2015 article points out it is wrong to see Linux taking over from Windows/Mac on the desktop. Rather, Linux is taking over "everything but the desktop".

  • 15 Weird/Surprising devices and Systems that run on Linux, M. Zinoune, 2012.