Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux on non-PCs/Laptops (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 months ago by Tekkip20@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

54 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Aside from Linux running on NASA hardware, phones and consoles. Does it run on ATM machines, PDAs and point of sale monitors?

I ask this because I've seen Windows being used in airport terminals and really old versions being used for cash machines as well. The crowdstrike problem made this more prevalent by seeing "non end user computers" using the OS.

Does Linux fill this niche as well do you know? I don't recall hearing any big name embedded distro used for those sorts of machines. Maybe Alpine Linux or NetBSD?

Thank you in advance for your input!

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[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 33 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

There are tons of computers running Linux besides PCs. By far the biggest part are servers and supercomputers. Microsoft even has their own distribution for their server business. Then there are all the Android phones and devices. Android is Linux. In Germany I've also often seen Linux used for kiosks at government agencies.

Linux is used in TVs and set top boxes. Everything that says Tizen or WebOS is powered by Linux. I've also seen it used as in-flight entertainment systems. And Lunduke had an example of Linux running on a machine controlling how cows are milked, if I recall correctly.

For most systems you won't actually know what OS is used until you see a hardware error screen. Although Microsoft has made it a little easier with mandatory updates.

[–] jhdeval@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I am not positive but if it still true originally webos was not linux. It started off as a very ahead of its time cell phone os made by Palm Inc. After they failed to gain traction it was sold to LG or made open source then sold or bought. LG uses it in their TVs but if I recall the base os is not Linux but some form of palmos assuming it has not been moved to Linux.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Nah, WebOS was already Linux when Palm used it on their phones. I had one of them. I preferred the N900 and it could even run games made for WebOS.