NVIDIA 3D Under Linux

Introduction

Linux

I guess I don't have to tell the die-hard Linux user that you should probably go ahead and skip this paragraph. I'd like to give a short explanation for the ones who don't know what Linux is, as well as for those who only 'heard about it' so far.

Linux is an operating system. Operating systems are the platform for the software titles you are running on your system. Other well-known operating systems are Microsoft's Windows98 and Windows 2000, UNIX in all its different flavors, BeOS, OS/2, in case anyone remembers it, MacOS, Apples operating system, and more. Linux is a UNIX-style operating system, initiated and developed by Linus Torvalds and expanded upon by many others today. Linus' vision was to develop an operating system that is free and that comes with open standards. This is the basic idea that made Linux what it is today.

The fact that Linux is free has made it THE operating system in most universities worldwide. However, characterizing Linux as just a 'cheap operating system' wouldn't do it any justice whatsoever. The really brilliant part of Linux is the open standard. Everybody has access to the source code of Linux and so everyone who fancies it can write his own code for Linux. Linus' vision of a worldwide community that is together working on creating an excellent operating system has become true. Linux hasn't got any secrets, it doesn't claim anything that it isn't able to deliver and it has become a highly interesting choice for many people who are looking for a reliable, up-to-date and secure operating system.

Let's now cut the philosophy crap though. Why should you, as a more or less happy Microsoft Windoze user, who couldn't care less about the worldwide Linux community, be interested in Linux?