The Linux Project 

What is Linux?

Linux is a complete, high quality, freely distributable, version of a UNIX operating system. It is multi-user, multi-tasking, Posix compliant. It is used by millions of people all over the world.

It runs on many different hardware processors, for example:

• Intel and AMD x86, as used in regular PC's
• IBM S/390 and Z-series, as used in their mainframes
• arm , many
• Risc-V architecture. Promising open hardware development.

Originally a one man project by Linus Torvalds Linux is now a major OpenSource software development effort on the Internet run by tens of key-figures complemented by a loosely knit volunteer group of thousands of programmers. Linus acts as gatekeeper for the whole project.