What is a Linux operating system?

Question

No don't be a smart A$$ and tell me that it is an operating system, I already know that. I want to know what it is like, I've seen Mac OS and PC Windows, but what is a linux like. Tell me about the interface and features. If you can give me a picture, that would be great.

Answer 1

"Linux" is just the kernel.

When you package the kernel with file managers, windows managers, GUI layer (X), Desktop environment etc, then it becomes a complete OS.

As for the "LOOKS", it depends on the desktop environment and customization. Some popular desktop environments are GNOME, KDE, XFCE, Fluxbox.

Here are some screenshots:

(GNOME)

http://images.google.co.in/images?um=1&h...

(KDE)

http://images.google.co.in/images?um=1&h...

(XFCE)

http://images.google.co.in/images?um=1&h...

Also have a look at compiz fusion

http://images.google.co.in/images?um=1&h...

All these can be customized and made to look cool, you can even get the Mac OS X or Windows Vista themes and install them.

http://i34.tinypic.com/28jzdlg.png

Answer 2

go to youtube.com and type in linux....there is also something really cool in linux which is eye candy..but dont get your hopes up if your going to try since it doesnt work with all graphics cards and doesnt support them (realize im just talking about the eye candy) its called compiz fusion...you can also type that in on youtube...

Answer 3

Linux doesn't "look" like anything. Linux is just the underlying core of the operating system. Things like the interface and programs are up to the user to choose. These options are collected in different varieties, known as distros:

Screenshot of Ubuntu:

http://www.ubuntu.com/files/GutsyImages/...

Screenshot of Kubuntu (with KDE 3.5):

http://debianadmin.com/copper/albums/kde...

Screenshot of OpenSUSE 11.0 )with KDE 4):

http://en.opensuse.org/Image:OS11.0-plas...

Customized Fluxbox interface:

http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/zoom.php?...