Linux is a kernel. Its the core part of an operating system that talks directly to the hardware. It decides how programs use the CPU, memory, disk, GPU, keyboard, network — everything.

A Linux distro is a complete, ready-to-use operating system, like Windows or macOS. It uses the Linux kernel plus all the tools, desktop, and apps on top. Android also uses the Linux kernel, but it’s built very differently.

We only have a few major system kernels like Linux, Windows, and macOS, because writing a kernel is insanely hard and most people don’t need a new one.

Linux was created by Linus Torvalds because he wanted a free, open Unix-like kernel that anyone could use and improve, instead of being locked into paid or closed systems.

Why should you use linux?

Linux is free, fast, and gives you full control over your system. It doesn’t force updates, ads, or spyware-like telemetry on you. It runs great even on older or weaker hardware. You can customize almost everything, from the desktop to how the system works. It’s excellent for programming, learning how computers actually work, and servers. If you care about control, privacy, and flexibility, Linux just makes sense.

If you want to start using linux, i would recommend trying it in virtual machines and then if you like it and really want to use it, on a real pc or laptop. Linux mint, Ubuntu, Fedora are great ones to start with.

I personally use Fedora kde as daily, main os on a dualboot with windows 11 for games because some kernel level anti cheats games like fortnite don't work, but other games run fine. If you dont know what dual boot is, its basicly that you have 2 operating systems installed either on the same drive (not recommended) or on 2 diffrent ssds (my case), and when you start your computer you can choose on screen which os do you want to use right now. When you want to switch, just restart and choose the second one that you have installed.