Linus Torvalds

Linus Benedict Torvalds (born December 28, 1969) is best known for initiating the development of Linux. He now acts as the project's coordinator (or Benevolent Dictator for Life).

The Linus / Linux connection

Torvalds originally used the Minix OS on his system which he replaced with his own OS, Linux (Linus' Minix). However, Torvalds thought the name "Linux" was too egotistical and planned to rename it Freax (a combination of "free", "freak", and the letter X to indicate a Unix-like system). But, before the name was changed, his friend Ari Lemmke encouraged Torvalds to upload Linux to a network so it could be easily downloaded. Ari, however, not happy with the Freax name, gave Torvalds a directory called linux on his FTP server.

Related Topics:
Unix-like - Ari Lemmke - FTP - Server

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In August of 1991, he publicized http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&selm=1991Aug25.205708.9541%40klaava.Helsinki.FI his creation on the USENET newsgroup comp.os.minix.

Related Topics:
August - 1991 - USENET

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Only about 2% of the current Linux kernel is written by Torvalds himself. Despite the relative size of his contribution, Torvalds remains the ultimate authority on what new code is incorporated into the Linux kernel. Torvalds tends to stay out of non-kernel-related debates. The Linux kernel, when combined with software developed by many others, (mainly the GNU system) results in a so-called Linux distribution. Most people refer to this combination as just Linux. However some, including Richard Stallman, refer to it as "GNU/Linux." Torvalds maintains that the name "GNU/Linux" is only justified if you make a GNU-based distribution.

Related Topics:
GNU - Linux distribution - Richard Stallman

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Torvalds owns the "Linux" trademark, and monitors http://slashdot.org/articles/00/01/19/0828245.shtml use (or abuse) of it chiefly through the non-profit organization Linux International. Linux's wide and passionate userbase make trademark abuse difficult as it is rapidly detected.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~