“Just a hobby, won't be big”
Torvalds announced his project in a newsgroup saying it would be just a hobby, nothing big or professional. He released the kernel under the GPL and combined it with tools from the GNU project. Thousands of people joined in.
Distributions
Linux ships in distributions, ready-made bundles of kernel, programs and desktop:
- Debian (1993) and Ubuntu (2004) for servers and desktops.
- Fedora, Arch, Mint for different needs.
- Android uses the Linux kernel, as do the Raspberry Pi and most routers.
Where you meet it
The website you are on runs on Linux. Linux powers clouds, NAS boxes, smart TVs and the Steam Deck. For an older laptop that cannot run Windows 11, it is often the best way to keep using it safely.