Linux: Powering the World from the Shadows（linuxexists）

For many technology enthusiasts, the term Linux often conjures up images of coding and server rooms — a world far removed from everyday society. But the truth is that Linux is everywhere. A code that was developed at an academic conference in Finland in 1991, this open-source operating system quietly powers the majority of the world’s technology and data.

At the core of Linux is its open source nature. Open source allows anyone and everyone to examine, modify, distribute and use the software for any purpose. Because it is free and open source, it has been adopted by some of the world’s biggest companies, including IBM, Oracle, Google and Airbus. In essence, when a device runs Linux, it is running on a free, powerful and flexible operating system, one that is arguably the most secure option around.

Linux is an essential part of the modern world. Just about every day-to-day technology that we take for granted — from mobile phones, to laptops, to internet routers — operates on Linux. There are even cars that use the operating system, offering improved driver safety, efficiency and entertainment options. The following examples are just the tip of the Linux iceberg:

• Embedded systems, including medical devices and military applications.

• Nanotech, a form of nanotechnology that enables extremely small devices.

• Robotics, which can be used in advanced manufacturing and computer modelling.

• Network infrastructure, powering the world’s clouds, websites and data centres.

• Supercomputers, which are being used to solve complex problems such as climate modelling.

Thanks to its astounding stability and the sheer number of available tools, Linux is more than an operating system — it’s a platform for individuals and businesses to create, configure and deploy applications, programs and scripts. Because of this, developers work with Linux regularly, creating new and innovative ways of harnessing the platform’s incredible capabilities. With Linux, the world’s most powerful servers can be managed from a console, achieving speeds that would be impossible with a standard operating system.

From powering medical apps to running the world’s largest websites, Linux is quietly powering the world from the shadows. It’s a flexible, secure and open-source system that can be used in nearly every imaginable technology. We don’t have to look far to find an example of its influence — through Linux, we are connected, secured and empowered in ways that were once impossible.