Thread: General questions about Linux
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Laughing Man is offline Laughing Man
2009-11-15 , 20:55
Posts: 4,556 | Thanked: 1,624 times | Joined on Dec 2007
#2
Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
With all of the talk lately about Maemo and Andriod and other Linux based OSes, I just had a few newbie questions.
Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
Is Linux technically an OS or a type of computer language, since there are so many different Linux distros?
Linux refers to the kernel which all Linux distributions have in common. It's pretty much the ground or basement floor of any device that uses Linux (TIVO, Linux distributions, etc..).

Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
If Linux is an OS, then how is it that there are so many different kindsof Linux distros? And on that note, what is the difference between Debian, Symbian, Maemo, and Android, since they are all based on the same Linux?
As pointed out above, Linux is simply the kernel. Distributions are the GUI and tools that interface with the kernel. The difference is in the GUI, and tools offer.

Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
If a device has one OS, is it possible to install another different OS on there (ie. Motorola Droid comes with Android, can it be flashed to run Maemo)? If not, why is that?
No, you need drivers for one thing. And then there's the bootloader (depending on if it's locked down). Not to mention Maemo has closed source components. Mer on the other hand might be possible with drivers.

Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
I've been reading up on the Maemo vs. Android debate and a recurring theme is that Maemo is more "open." How is Maemo more "open" when both Android and Maemo are Linux based, which is completely open?
Things like root are locked out on Android. Thus if you want to do anything that requires root (administrator permissions basically) you can't do it on Android without hacking about. That's just one example.

Originally Posted by cheetos316 View Post
Lastly, how is it possible that Linux is capable of running on both x86 architecture devices and ARM architecture devices? Isn't the x86 and ARM instruction set completely different? And if I'm not mistaken, Linux is also used in PowerPC machines too.

Thanks for your help!
Yes the instruction sets are different, it just happens that the kernel is very versitile when it comes to being brought to many platforms after a recompile.
__________________
Originally Posted by ysss View Post
They're maemo and MeeGo...

"Meamo!" sounds like what Zorro would say to catherine zeta jones... after she slaps him for looking at her dirtily...
 

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