Linux is a free, 32-bit open-source computer operating system for PCs and Workstations. It is named after its Finnish founder, Linus Torvalds, who developed the system in 1991 as a 21-year old student.

Torvalds's experiments in the field of operating systems led to the development of the Linux kernel, which is the operating code and core element of Linux. The source code for Linux was made public by means of the General Public License (the GNU). This enabled developers around the world to download Linux from the Internet in order to study, modify and add to Torvalds's initial developments. The downloading is done without so-called nag screens, which requires prior payment. The system can be used at schools, in businesses and in homes. It can be installed as many times and on as many computers as clients prefer, while copies can be made of it legally for distribution to friends and colleagues. Linux is also sold commercially on CD-ROM on the Internet, by mail-order and in retail stores. The cost is normally between $30 and $50, compared to a retail copy of Windows 98, which costs in the region of $189.

The Linux operating system offers built-in networking software, two or more web browsers, six text editors, over 20 games, a World-wide Web Server, an e-mail server, programming environments and compilers allowing the user to write programmes in C, Pascal, PerI, Python, BASIC and Fortran. It is built to be compatible with the UNIX operating system, which was developed in the 1970s, and was updated constantly in order to keep track with the ever-changing computer software.

Linux can also operate as a server for both small and large networks or as a desktop computer participating in a network or standing alone. It has a scriptable command interface allowing skilled users to automate tasks and to run it on old systems with insufficient high-powered graphics hardware. The Apache web server which supports Linux is used by corporations such as IBM.

Since the Linux system is a certified open-source system, the software as well as the source code used to design the software is available to all users. All users are therefore entitled to making and distributing copies of the software and source code. It also allows for the modification of the source code. Any programmer anywhere in the world can therefore add new features and customise the system. The benefit of open source is that Linux is written by people who use it on a daily basis and who have a personal interest in making it work.

According to a study done by a Massachusetts-based industrial research organisation, International Data Corporation (IDC), Linux had 25% of the server (operating system) market in 1999, as compared to 16% in 1998. IDC predicts that the Linux operating system will increase at an annual growth rate of more than 25% in 2003.

The Linux operating system offers the following benefits:

It is relatively cheap;

it is a stable system;

it is powerful, and

it is adaptable.

Schools in particular - especially schools in developing countries - cannot afford to invest large sums of money into computer technology. It is nevertheless essential that pupils and students stay familiar with developments in the field of computer technology in order to prepare themselves for a highly competitive labour market. Linux seems to help overcome this problem in that the operating system can be installed on new workstations. Some Linux users have used the operating system for over a year without the necessity to reboot, whereas frequent reboots are reported in other operating system environments. In addition to that, open access to the source code enables Linux users to adjust the computer technology to meet their specific needs.

Linux can act as a native Appletalk, SMB, NFS or Net Ware server. Information stored in the Linux Operating System can be made available to users of all of the above-mentioned networking systems.

Towards the end of 1999, Corel launched its own distribution of Linux. The Corel Linux Operating Software is very easy to use. It can also be connected to Windows networks, offering users a reliable and low-cost operating system. Corel is committed to playing an active role in the field of education. It regards the academic market as one of its top priorities. Corel has gone into a partnership with three academic institutions in the Ottawa region to develop programmes using Corel Linux Operating Systems and Word Perfect 8 for Linux.

Good Linux grade book programmes do not seem to be available at present. As long as that is the case, Linux will not really succeed in being used by the teaching fraternity. Progress is being made in this field, though, in that the so-called Kl2Admin, an account administration system, is being developed. More work is done with the aim at providing educational environments with integrated administrative and collaborative capabilities. In the educational field, Linux lacks pedagogical programmes - in other words, courseware programmes.

The Installation of the Linux Operating system in Mexican Schools

The Linux Operating System has already proved itself popular among server administrators as a cheaper and flexible alternative to Windows NT in Mexican schools. The operating system has not, however, reached its full potentia yet. The significant cost-saving in introducing Linux into Mexican schools was probably one of the main reasons for adopting that particular operating system. Calculations show that it would have cost approximately $885 to install Windows 98, Microsoft Office and a server running Windows NT in each school computer laboratory. This figure would increase to $124 million for 140 000 laboratones.

Apart from budgetary constraints, the Mexicans also believe that the Linux Operating System is more reliable, adaptable and efficient than commercial operating systems. This enables organisations with a limited budget to make use of older and less expensive equipment. It is envisaged that computer laboratories will be established at a rate of 20 000 to 35 000 in Mexican schools.

Oregon's Multnomah County is in the process of installing 30 Linux servers in high schools. It is believed that Linux desktop machines would be popular, but at this stage sufficient software is not yet available for the platform. According to an observer, the following three obstacles delay the installation of Linux systems in American schools:

• There is a tendency to rather "do what everybody else is doing" as far as the use of computer technology is concerned; in other words, sticking to existing computer packages;

• it is essential that the Linux Operating System is made easier for teachers. Most teachers tend to use electronic grade books and will continue using Mac operating systems or Windows programmes for as long as a grading programme is not available for Linux, and

• easy compatibility with MS-Office is essential, since MS Office is still regarded as the "standard" by which everything else is measured.

• The recently released NIC (New Internet Computer) was specifically designed for educational purposes. The NIC, which is not an under-powered computer, is available at a cost of R2 200. It includes: a 266-megahertz microprocessor, 64 megabytes of memory, a 56K modem, a network card, a 24X CDROM drive and a Super VGA monitor.

• The NIC uses a low-cost operating system. By omitting Windows and other commercial software, thousands of Rands have been saved.

• The reason, amongst others, for choosing Linux for the NIC is because Linux is available as a free download from the Internet or on low-cost CDs. Some of the software that runs on Linux is free, including Netscape, word processors, spread sheets and educational software.

• The NIC does not have a hard-drive. It boots the operating system from CDROM, which is cost-cuffing, since hard drives are more expensive.

• In the longer term, the NIC saves on maintenance costs because all these machines are homogeneous. Upgrading of the software merely involves exchanging CDs that are currently used for new ones.

• Particularly Windows have become quite prone to viruses. Linux is almost immune to all known viruses. Not even a Linux virus can damage the NIC because the computer runs from a CDROM, without involving a hard dnve. In the event of virus infections, the computer can simply be rebooted, which should erase the problems caused by the virus.

• During the development phase of the Linux Operating System, more than a generic knowledge of computer systems was required. Advances in Linux desktop technology such as KDE and GNOME have made the Linux Operating System much more user-friendly. The quality of free software that is available for Linux is comparable to that of commercial software. Some products are being developed to make the daily administration tasks of teachers easier.

• The original programming instructions of Linux and other open-source packages are freely available. It is exactly this feature which makes the Linux

system so adaptable to South African conditions. These applications could, for instance, be translated into all 11 official languages and, in doing so, provide a better education to all South African children.

Many "outdated" computers are donated to South African schools and other institutions. The software that comes with these computers cannot, however, be transferred, which means that these institutions are compelled to buy new licences for Windows and other commercial software. If the Linux system is used at least that cost component is limited.

• As far as donated computers is concerned, older computers that cannot run Windows 98 successfully would be able to use the Linux operating system. Probably the most convincing argument for the use of the Linux operating system lies in the fact that Linux supports a wide range of older hardware.

• Both developed and developing countries have applied the Linux system. China, France, Mexico and the USA count among the countries which embarked upon programmes to use the Linux system.

• At present most schools use Windows, but some schools in disadvantaged areas have successfully integrated Linux into their computing strategies.

In January 1998, the Minister of Education approved computyping as a recognised subject in secondary schools. Computyping, which was aimed at Grade 10 learners, would fulfil a long-standing need on the part of learners in ordinary high schools who take typing as a subject to be trained in the use of up-to-date computer equipment and software That goal has become even more important today, which necessitates the utilisation of all possible computer resources.

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South Africa Yearbook, 2000/01

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