You may have heard of Linux, but you might be wondering if it really matters to you. The truth is, Linux and Unix-based operating systems are more common than you might realize. MacOS and iOS for Apple devices are built on BSD Unix, while Windows 10 and 11 include a Linux subsystem. Even Android, the most popular mobile operating system, is based on Linux.
But even if your device isn’t directly using Linux, chances are many of the services you use on the internet are running on Linux servers in the cloud. In fact, Linux powers the majority of web servers, supercomputers, and many other types of technology infrastructure.
So while you might not need to know the ins and outs of Linux, it’s important to be aware of its prevalence and significance in the world of technology. Understanding the basics of Linux can also be helpful if you’re interested in programming, cybersecurity, or other technology-related fields.
OK, so you may ask “Why does Linux matter, if I’m just using Windows or macOS?” Well, you may even find some flavors of Linux even easier to use than Windows or macOS. Linux is getting more and more popular to use directly on a desktop (and laptop) instead of Windows or macOS. You can try Linux on your own computer.
Overall, Linux may not be an immediately obvious part of your day-to-day use of technology, but it plays a critical role in powering the internet and many other aspects of modern computing. Linux is powering the web server that delivered this blog to you, and you may even be using Linux to read this right now!