Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds along with other developers in the industry. Linux is an independent POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) implementation and includes true multi-tasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, TCP/IP networking and other features consistent with Unix-type systems.

Linux was developed under the GNU General Public Licensing and all of its source code is freely available to everyone. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the program and all of the distributed softwar

e is free. There are companies and developers that may charge money for the program as long as the source code remains available.

From a businesspersons standpoint, the open-source model has a lot to offer. Companies are now able to build open standards as actual software and many companies and individuals can collaborate on a product that none of them could achieve alone. With open source code, there can be rapid bug fixes and changes that the user asks for, done to the user's own schedule. Other positives are increased security and increased reliability, and yet another positive is the ability of Linux to run on systems as low-end as a 386 to the higher end systems such as Alpha and Sparcs.

Ultimately the Linux operating system is an up and coming threat to Microsoft. Its open source code is allowing businesses to take advantage of the features available. Linux is proving to be a cost effective, secure

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