'Just a hobby, won't be big': Linus Torvalds introduced Linux 35 years ago - and almost called it Freax

Introduction

Thirty-five years ago, a Finnish college student named Linus Torvalds created a small operating system that would eventually become the foundation for the entire modern computing world. What started as a personal hobby project called "Freax" (a combination of "free" and "freak") grew into Linux, one of the most influential pieces of software in history. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to explore and work with Linux, the operating system that Linus created, even if you're using a Windows or Mac computer.

Prerequisites

Before you begin this tutorial, you'll need:

• A computer running Windows, macOS, or another operating system
• Internet access
• Basic computer skills (knowing how to download files and open applications)

No prior Linux experience is required. We'll guide you through everything from installation to basic commands.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Understanding What Linux Is

Linux is an open-source operating system kernel that powers millions of devices worldwide. It's the foundation that many popular operating systems like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian are built upon. Even your smartphone's Android system uses Linux under the hood.

Why we're starting here: Understanding what Linux is and how it's used helps you appreciate why it's so important in computing history.

2. Downloading a Linux Distribution

Since you're not running Linux natively, we'll use a virtual machine to try it out. First, download a Linux distribution. For beginners, we recommend Ubuntu, which is user-friendly and well-documented.

Visit https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop and download the desktop version (the .iso file).

Why we're using Ubuntu: Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions for beginners, with excellent community support and documentation.

3. Installing VirtualBox

VirtualBox is a free virtualization software that lets you run another operating system inside your current one. Download it from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.

Install it following the installer's instructions. You'll need to restart your computer after installation.

Why we're using VirtualBox: It's free, easy to use, and allows you to run Linux without affecting your main operating system.

4. Creating a Virtual Machine

Open VirtualBox and click "New" to create a new virtual machine:

1. Give your VM a name (like "Ubuntu Linux")
2. Select "Linux" as the type
3. Select "Ubuntu (64-bit)" as the version
4. Allocate at least 2048 MB of RAM (you can increase this if your computer has more memory)
5. Create a virtual hard disk (choose "VDI" format, dynamically allocated, at least 20 GB)

Why we're setting these specifications: These settings provide a good balance between performance and resource usage for learning purposes.

5. Installing Ubuntu Linux

With your virtual machine created, select it and click "Start". When prompted, select the Ubuntu .iso file you downloaded earlier as the boot medium.

After Ubuntu loads, select "Install Ubuntu" and follow the on-screen instructions:

1. Choose your language
2. Select keyboard layout
3. Connect to Wi-Fi if available
4. Choose installation type ("Erase disk and install Ubuntu" is fine for learning)
5. Set your user account details

Why we're doing this step-by-step: This process teaches you how operating systems are installed and configured, similar to how Linus would have set up his original system.

6. Exploring the Linux Desktop

Once installed, you'll see the Ubuntu desktop environment. Notice how it's different from Windows or macOS:

• The desktop has a panel at the top with application menus
• Files are organized in a different way
• Applications are launched from the dock or application menu

Why we're exploring: Understanding the desktop environment helps you appreciate how Linux differs from other operating systems and how it's been designed for flexibility.

7. Running Basic Linux Commands

Open the terminal application (usually found in the applications menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T). This is where you'll interact with Linux using text commands:

ls -l
pwd
whoami

These commands show you:

• ls -l - Lists files with detailed information
• pwd - Shows your current directory
• whoami - Shows your username

Why we're learning commands: Command-line interfaces were essential in early computing, and understanding them gives you insight into how Linus and early developers worked with systems.

8. Understanding File Permissions

In Linux, files have permissions that control who can read, write, or execute them:

ls -l /etc/passwd
chmod 755 filename

Notice how the first command shows detailed file permissions. The first character indicates file type, and the next nine characters show read (r), write (w), and execute (x) permissions for owner, group, and others.

Why we're learning permissions: This is a core Linux concept that shows how the system maintains security and organization.

9. Installing Software

Linux uses package managers to install software. In Ubuntu, you can use the terminal:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install curl

The sudo command allows you to run commands with administrator privileges. apt is Ubuntu's package manager.

Why we're installing software: This demonstrates how Linux systems manage software, a key part of how the operating system works.

10. Learning About the Linux Kernel

Remember that Linus Torvalds created the kernel, which is the core of the operating system. You can check your kernel version:

uname -r

This command shows the kernel version, which is the same kernel that Linus originally wrote.

Why we're checking the kernel: This connects you directly to the original work that started it all - the kernel that Linus created 35 years ago.

Summary

In this tutorial, you've learned how to explore Linux, the operating system that started as a personal hobby project by Linus Torvalds 35 years ago. You've installed a virtual machine, navigated a Linux desktop, run basic commands, and understood core concepts like file permissions and package management.

This hands-on experience gives you insight into how Linux works, how it's been developed over the years, and how it continues to power everything from smartphones to supercomputers. As Linus once said, "It's a hobby, won't be big" - but it became the foundation of modern computing as we know it.