MEPIS Information

The Linux operating system is a very popular alternative for computer users who want to avoid the more mainstream Windows or macOS. In many cases, Linux is the preferred OS as it can be run on many different types of hardware and virtual environments, and does not require the computing resources of the large commercial operating systems. There are versions of Linux that can be run on everything from small, embedded monitoring devices all the way up through the most powerful super-computer. A Linux distribution is an operating system that is based on the Linux kernel. Also known as a Linux distro, it is downloaded as a number of software packages and includes additional tools and applications that extend its capabilities beyond a traditional Linux implementation. Linux distros are often easier for users to deploy since there is no need to manually compile the complete Linux OS from source code. What Comprises a Linux Distro? Hundred of different variants of Linux are available as distributions. They may have been tailored to run in specific hardware environments or be stripped down to the essentials in order to conserve space in virtual environments. Though the individual Linux distros may have major differences in the features that they offer, there are some similarities in most Linux distributions. A Linux distro will usually include: The specific tools and libraries that are included in the top Linux distros are what differentiates the large number of distributions from which a user can choose. Depending on how you plan to use the distribution, you can obtain one designed for your needs. The tools and software are often included both as binary files and source code, allowing modification to further customize the operating system. Many distributions are ready to use immediately after downloading them, though some of them do require the user to compile the source before the distro is usable. The included package management systems are used to install and uninstall software packages. They are also used to ...