[thelist] Is this a list?

[Jay Blanchard]

[snip]
The Linux kernel *is* useless without an operating system for it to boot
into. That operating system could, in theory, be something besides GNU
(perhaps, say, a BSD-derived system), but in practice it hasn't been
done to my knowledge.
[/snip]

Linux *is* an operating system. Here are some definitions...

is a free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds
with the assistance of developers around the world. Developed under the GNU
General Public License , the source code for Linux is freely available to
everyone.

A Unix-like operating system that was designed to provide personal computer
users a free or very low-cost operating system comparable to traditional and
usually more expensive Unix systems. Linux has a reputation as a very
efficient and fast-performing system.

A widely used Open Source Unix-like operating system. Linux was first
released by its inventor Linus Torvalds in 1991. There are versions of Linux
for almost every available type of computer hardware from desktop machines
to IBM mainframes. The inner workings of Linux are open and available for
anyone to examine and change as long as they make their changes available to
the public. This has resulted in thousands of people working on various
aspects of Linux and adaptation of Linux for a huge variety of purposes,
from servers to TV-recording boxes.

<tip>
When argue..., um...er, discussing things with folks online make sure that
you have your facts correct as the definitions and descriptions are just a
Google away.
</tip>