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🎉Linux Turns 35: From Hobby to Dominance

A hobby project becomes the backbone of IT

TL;DR

Today marks 35 years since Linus Torvalds started Linux. What began as a hobby has become an indispensable part of modern computing, running everything from supercomputers to smartphones.

Linus Torvalds posted on Usenet in August 1991 about his new operating system, which he never imagined would grow into the behemoth it is today. Linux now powers most major websites and cloud services, making it a cornerstone of modern IT infrastructure. The project's success can be attributed to its collaborative nature from day one, with early contributors like Ted Ts'o helping spread the word and improve the codebase.

Linux Turns 35: From Hobby to Dominance — ZDNET

Key Points

1

Torvalds' initial post was made on comp.os.minix on August 25, 1991

2

Linux now powers over 70% of the world's top supercomputers

3

Google, Facebook, and Wikipedia all run on Linux servers

4

Even Microsoft Azure lists Linux as its most popular OS

5

Ted Ts'o set up the first North American FTP server for Linux in September 1991

Why It Matters

If you're running any major website or cloud service, chances are it's on a Linux-based system. The project's success is due to its open-source nature and early adoption by key players like Google and Facebook. Today, Linux powers everything from supercomputers to smartphones, making it an essential part of modern computing infrastructure.

Linus TorvaldsLinuxOpen SourceOperating SystemIT Infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

If you're running any major website or cloud service, chances are it's on a Linux-based system. The project's success is due to its open-source nature and early adoption by key players like Google and Facebook. Today, Linux powers everything from supercomputers to smartphones, making it an essential part of modern computing infrastructure.

What happened?

Today marks 35 years since Linus Torvalds started Linux. What began as a hobby has become an indispensable part of modern computing, running everything from supercomputers to smartphones.

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