On this day in 1991, a college student in Finland shared his project on an email list:

From: torvalds@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Linus Benedict Torvalds)

Newsgroups: comp.os.minix

Subject: What would you like to see most in minix?

Summary: small poll for my new operating system

Message-ID: <1991Aug25.205708.9541@klaava.Helsinki.FI>

Date: 25 Aug 91 20:57:08 GMT

Organization: University of Helsinki

Hello everybody out there using minix —

I’m doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won’t be big and

professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing

since april, and is starting to get ready. I’d like any feedback on

things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS resembles it somewhat

(same physical layout of the file-system (due to practical reasons)

among other things).

I’ve currently ported bash(1.08) and gcc(1.40), and things seem to work.

This implies that I’ll get something practical within a few months, and

I’d like to know what features most people would want. Any suggestions

are welcome, but I won’t promise I’ll implement them

Linus (torv…@kruuna.helsinki.fi)

PS. Yes — it’s free of any minix code, and it has a multi-threaded fs.

It is NOT protable (uses 386 task switching etc), and it probably never

will support anything other than AT-harddisks, as that’s all I have :-(.

“Just a hobby,” he says. “Won’t be big and professional like gnu,” he says.

This kid has no idea that his creation is about to change software forever. With its rich history and impact on technology, let’s explore 20 remarkable facts about Linux.

1. The Linux Foundation’s collaborative projects consist of a staggering 115 million lines of code. In comparison, Windows XP contains 45 million lines of code.

2. The Linux kernel is the most active open source project on Earth, accepting an average of 185 patches per day.

3. It took approximately 41,000 person-years to build Linux, equivalent to around $5 billion in developer salary.

4. To support Linus Torvalds and his work on Linux, the Linux Foundation pays him $10 million annually. His net worth currently stands at $150 million.

5. Despite Linux’s widespread influence and its reliance in various systems, Linus Torvalds works from the comfort of his home, accompanied only by his cat.

6. During his service in the Finnish military, Linus Torvalds stumbled upon Andrew Tanenbaum’s book, “Operating Systems: Design and Implementation.” This book introduced him to Minix, an educational version of Unix, and inspired him to create Linux.

7. Although Linus wrote the entirety of Linux’s first release, his original contributions now make up less than 1% of the total codebase. These days, he focuses on merging and managing code written by other contributors.

8. Unlike other renowned software icons like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, Linus Torvalds continued his education even after Linux’s initial success, earning his master’s degree in computer science.

9. While Linus created Git, he does not accept pull requests through GitHub. However, Linux is listed on GitHub, receiving more than 35,000 stars.

10. Linux’s iconic mascot is a penguin named “Tux.”

11. Linux benefits from contributions made by developers from various companies. Notable contributors include Intel, Red Hat, and IBM.

12. An astounding 97% of the world’s supercomputers run on Linux, including those used by NASA.

13. In 2009, the government of Munich, Germany transitioned from Windows to Linux, saving over €10 million in software licensing fees. However, the switch may have affected productivity.

14. Linux powers the popular and affordable Raspberry Pi computer, priced at just $5.

15. Linux servers were used to produce the first feature film, Titanic, showcasing the versatility and reliability of the operating system.

16. Dronecode, an operating system for drones, is powered by Linux. Around 1,000 companies develop drone services on top of this open-source platform.

17. Linux is available in various distributions or “distros.” Ubuntu, based on Debian, is the most popular distro in the Linux family tree.

18. Red Hat, the leading company in open source software, generates substantial revenue with its enterprise-focused distribution of Linux. It is projected to make $5 billion this year.

19. While Linux doesn’t necessarily come with a graphic user interface (GUI), many developers interact with it through the command line shell, typically using Bash. Different GUI shells like Xfce and KDE are available, with “Xubuntu” referring to “Ubuntu with Xfce” and “Kubuntu” indicating “Ubuntu with KDE.”

20. Linux uses the GNU General Public License, granting users the freedom to share and modify free software.

“The licenses for most software are designed to take away your freedom to share and change it. By contrast, the GNU General Public License is intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change free software — to make sure the software is free for all its users.”

— GNU GPL preamble

Bonus Fact: Linux was inspired by Richard Stallman’s GNU project, the Free Software movement, and the Hacker Ethic, all of which are explored in Steven Levy’s book, “Hackers.”

Linux’s journey from a college student’s passion project to a transformative operating system is nothing short of extraordinary. In just 32 years, Linux has had an immeasurable impact on the technology landscape, and its open-source philosophy continues to shape the future of software.

Additionally, included is a brief interview with Linus, in which he discusses the inception of Linux and Git.

admin

www.everymansci.com

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Hosting a server on a Raspberry Pi is a great way to make use of its resources. The single-board computer’s hardware can handle many hosting applications without any issues. Let’s take a look at some of the servers that can be hosted on a Raspberry Pi SBC.

Apache and Nginx as Web Servers

A web server is a computer that provides web pages to users on request. It stores the component files such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and processes requests to access them. Apache and Nginx are both excellent options for setting up a web server on a Raspberry Pi. 

Apache is a popular cross-platform software solution that is capable of accepting user requests and sending them their requested files. It is responsible for over 67% of websites worldwide. Nginx is another great alternative that you can use instead of Apache.

To set up a web server on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to install Apache or Nginx and relational database management software such as MariaDB. The database software is necessary to store user data and other important information. Apache and Nginx are both easy to install on a Raspberry Pi. Once installed, you can configure them to serve web pages to users on request. You can also customize your web server to meet your specific needs.

MariaDB: Your Go-To Database Server

MySQL is a popular solution for database management, but unfortunately, it is not available for installation on the Raspberry Pi. However, you can use MariaDB instead, which is compatible with MySQL for the most part, with only a few minor differences.

MariaDB is a free and open-source relational database management system that is widely used in web hosting environments. It is designed to be fast, scalable, and reliable, making it an excellent choice for hosting your database on a separate platform.

To set up MariaDB on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to install it using the Linux package manager. Once installed, you can configure it to store and manage your website’s data. You can also configure it to work with other software solutions that you might be using on your website.

Samba and NFS as File Servers

A file server is a computer that stores and provides access to files and documents over a network. It can be a great way to save space on your main computer while still having your files available for easy access. You can set up a file server on your Raspberry Pi using Samba or NFS.

Samba is the most common way to set up a file server on a Raspberry Pi. It allows you to share files across your network. This makes it easy to exchange files between several computers in your local network with minimal setup. However, you will need a good SD card or SSD to avoid transfer bottlenecks.

NFS is an alternative to Samba that offers better encryption and is slightly easier to set up. It is a great option if security is a top priority. NFS allows you to share files across your network using the NFS protocol, which is designed for high-performance file sharing. To set up a file server on your Raspberry Pi using Samba or NFS, you will need to install the appropriate software and configure the settings.

Use vsftpd and ProFTPD as FTP Servers

An FTP server is a type of server that allows users to store and access files over the internet. Unlike file servers, which are generally more secure but have limited accessibility, FTP servers can be accessed from anywhere in the world. ILet’s see how you can set up an FTP server on your Raspberry Pi using ProFTPD or vsftpd.

To host an FTP server on your Raspberry Pi, you will need to install and set up an FTP program such as ProFTPD or vsftpd. ProFTPD is a feature-rich, high-performance, and highly secure FTP server that is easy to set up on a Raspberry Pi. Similarly, vsftpd is a lightweight and secure FTP server that is easy to install and configure.

Once you have installed and configured your FTP server, you can connect to it using any FTP client that is supported by your operating system. This will allow you to upload and download files to and from your Raspberry Pi, making it easy to access your files from anywhere in the world.

BIND, dnsmasq – DNS Servers

A DNS server is responsible for translating domain names to IP addresses. Setting up a local DNS server can have several benefits. These include improved security, domain blocking, faster access to frequently visited sites, and the ability to create your own local domain names. Here’s how you can set up a DNS server on your Raspberry Pi using BIND or dnsmasq.

BIND is a fully-featured DNS server that is capable of acting as an authoritative and recursive name server. It is the best option if you’re interested in setting up a DNS server on your Raspberry Pi. However, it can be complex to set up and may require some technical expertise.

Dnsmasq is a lightweight and easier-to-use alternative to BIND. It has fewer features but is much simpler to set up and configure. It is a great option for those who are new to DNS servers or who want a simple and straightforward solution. Once you have set up your DNS server, you can configure it to translate domain names to IP addresses.

Postfix, Dovecot – Mail Servers

Hosting a mail server on a Raspberry Pi can be a rewarding learning experience. However, doing so requires a considerable amount of work and comes with some downsides. You can set up a mail server on your Raspberry Pi using Postfix and Dovecot.

Postfix is a popular mail transfer agent that can be used to send and receive email on a Raspberry Pi. It is easy to install and configure, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Additionally, Dovecot is a popular mail delivery agent that can be used to access your emails.

Setting up a mail server on a Raspberry Pi involves installing and configuring Postfix and Dovecot. Also it involves configuring your DNS records to ensure that your mail server is properly configured. Once set up, you can send and receive emails using your Raspberry Pi.

Running a mail server on a Raspberry Pi requires a significant amount of work and comes with some downsides. For example, you may need to configure your server to comply with anti-spam regulations. Additionally, running a mail server can consume a lot of resources and may affect the performance of your Raspberry Pi.

OpenVPN, WireGuard – VPN Servers

A VPN server is a great way to create an efficient network by encrypting the connection between devices. This makes it difficult for third parties to intercept or access the data transferred. Setting up a VPN server on your Raspberry Pi — using OpenVPN or WireGuard — can be a great way to create a secure and private network.

It’s noteworthy that running a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi requires some technical knowledge. There are security risks involved if not properly secured. You should take the necessary precautions and always keep your system up-to-date.

OpenVPN is a popular open-source VPN solution that is easy to install and configure on a Raspberry Pi. It provides a secure and reliable VPN connection that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

WireGuard is a newer VPN protocol that has gained popularity in recent years due to its speed and security. It is also easy to install and configure on a Raspberry Pi, making it an excellent choice for those who are new to VPN servers. Once you have set up your VPN server, you can connect to it using any device that supports VPN connections.

Plex, Emby – Media Servers

Many Raspberry Pi users choose to use their device as a storage and management solution for their media collection. This includes movies, music, TV shows, and photo albums. While Plex is the most popular choice for setting up a dedicated media server, there are other alternatives worth considering, such as Jellyfin and Emby.

All three options offer apps for a variety of operating systems. Plex, however, is often considered to provide better performance and more extensive support resources. If you encounter any issues, Plex’s community is more likely to help you out. Stream movies, TV shows, and other content easily on any device by setting up Plex on your Raspberry Pi.

Minecraft, Terraria – Game Servers

If you have a Raspberry Pi lying around, you can put it to good use by turning it into a game server during your free time. Minecraft and Terraria are the most popular options for hosting a game server on a Raspberry Pi. While both games have sandbox elements, Terraria is more action-oriented. However, Minecraft is more focused on creativity and exploration.

To host either game on your Raspberry Pi, you’ll need to install the appropriate server software. For Minecraft, you’ll need to install Nukkit, while TShock is required for Terraria. The process of setting up a server for both games is similar. Meaning if you can host a Minecraft server on your Raspberry Pi, you can easily do the same for Terraria.

Raspberry Pi Servers: The Wrap Up

Using a Raspberry Pi as a server is a popular choice among its users. Hosting one or more servers on a single Raspberry Pi can be done for various reasons. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the hardware limitations of a Raspberry Pi can affect its performance if you host multiple servers on it. So, it’s important to take these restrictions into account when deciding to run servers on a Raspberry Pi.

admin

www.everymansci.com

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