Linux range of use: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Overview aboutof Linux' uses}}

Besides the [[Linux distribution|Linux distributions]] designed for general-purpose use on desktops and servers, distributions may be specialized for different purposes including [[computer architecture]] support, [[Embedded Linux|embedded systems]], stability, security, localization to a specific region or language, targeting of specific user groups, support for [[real-time computing|real-time]] applications, or commitment to a given desktop environment. Furthermore, some distributions deliberately include only [[free software]]. {{As of|2015}}, over four hundred Linux distributions are actively developed, with about a dozen distributions being most popular for general-purpose use.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://lwn.net/Distributions/ | title = The LWN.net Linux Distribution List | access-date = March 18, 2015 | publisher = [[LWN.net]] | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150315001510/http://lwn.net/Distributions/ | archive-date = March 15, 2015 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

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=== Performance and applications ===

The performance of Linux on the desktop has been a controversial topic;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3320859/the-linux-desktop-with-great-success-comes-great-failure.html|title=The Linux desktop: With great success comes great failure |author=Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols|date=2018-11-13|access-date=2019-11-10}}</ref> for example in 2007 [[Con Kolivas]] accused the Linux community of favoring performance on servers. He quit Linux kernel development out of frustration with this lack of focus on the desktop, and then gave a "tell all" interview on the topic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why I quit: kernel developer Con Kolivas|url=http://apcmag.com/node/6735/|access-date=August 15, 2011|date=July 24, 2007|work=APC Magazine|publisher=ACP Magazines|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707151924/http://apcmag.com/why_i_quit_kernel_developer_con_kolivas.htm|archive-date = July 7, 2011}}</ref> Since then a significant amount of development has focused on improving the desktop experience. Projects such as [[systemd]] and [[Upstart (software)|Upstart]] (deprecated in 2014) aim for a faster boot time; the Wayland and Mir projects aim at replacing [[X11]] while enhancing desktop performance, security and appearance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wayland.freedesktop.org/architecture.html |title=Wayland Architecture |access-date=January 5, 2013 |publisher=freedesktop.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106152733/http://wayland.freedesktop.org/architecture.html |archive-date=January 6, 2013}}</ref> Userspace [[Scheduling (computing)|scheduler]] extensions make it possible to use a scheduler specialized for a specific usage, such as gaming or desktop usage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pluggable CPU schedulers - openSUSE Wiki |url=https://en.opensuse.org/Pluggable_CPU_schedulers |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=en.opensuse.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Engineer Talks Up sched_ext Linux Scheduler Possibilities At FOSDEM |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/NVIDIA-Talks-Up-Sched-Ext |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.phoronix.com |language=en}}</ref>

Many popular applications are available for a wide variety of operating systems. For example, [[Mozilla Firefox]], [[OpenOffice.org]]/[[LibreOffice]] and [[Blender (software)|Blender]] have downloadable versions for all major operating systems. Furthermore, some applications initially developed for Linux, such as [[Pidgin (software)|Pidgin]], and [[GIMP]], were ported to other operating systems (including [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[macOS]]) due to their popularity. In addition, a growing number of proprietary desktop applications are also supported on Linux,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.iist.unu.edu/globaldesktop/ | title = The Global Desktop Project, Building Technology and Communities | access-date = May 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060426223603/http://www.iist.unu.edu/globaldesktop/ | archive-date = April 26, 2006 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> such as [[Maya (software)|Autodesk Maya]] and [[Nuke (software)|The Foundry's Nuke]] in the high-end field of animation and visual effects; see the [[list of proprietary software for Linux]] for more details. There are also [[Linux gaming#Proprietary games|several companies]] that have ported their own or other companies' games to Linux, with Linux also being a supported platform on both the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and [[Desura]] digital-distribution services.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamingonlinux.com/index.php?threads/a-2012-review-and-whats-in-store-for-2013.1591/ | title = A 2012 review and what's in store for 2013?| access-date=January 2, 2013 | last=Dawe |first=Liam | date =January 1, 2013 | publisher=GamingOnLinux}}</ref>

Many other types of applications available for Microsoft Windows and macOS also run on Linux. Commonly, either a [[free software]] application will exist which does the functions of an application found on another operating system, or that application will have a version that works on Linux, such as with [[Skype]] and some [[Linux gaming#Proprietary games|video games]] like ''[[Dota 2]]'' and ''[[Team Fortress 2]]''. Furthermore, the [[Wine (software)|Wine]] project provides a Windows compatibility layer to run unmodified Windows applications on Linux. It is sponsored by commercial interests including [[CodeWeavers]], which produces a commercial version of the software. Since 2009, Google has also provided funding to the Wine project.<ref>{{cite mailing list |last=Kegel |first=Dan |url=http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.emulators.wine.devel/56872 |title=Google's support for Wine in 2007 |date=February 14, 2008 |mailing-list=wine-devel |access-date=January 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106202914/http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.emulators.wine.devel/56872 |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://code.google.com/opensource/wine.html | title=Open Source Patches: Wine | access-date=September 7, 2008 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907021012/http://code.google.com/opensource/wine.html | archive-date=September 7, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[CrossOver]], a proprietary solution based on the open-source Wine project, supports running Windows versions of [[Microsoft Office]], [[Intuit]] applications such as [[Quicken]] and [[QuickBooks]], [[Adobe Photoshop]] versions through CS2, and many games such as ''[[World of Warcraft]]''. In other cases, where there is no Linux port of some software in areas such as [[desktop publishing]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freeos.com/articles/2540/ |title=Microsoft Office for Linux? |access-date=February 3, 2008 |last=Advani |first=Prakash |date=October 27, 2000 |work=FreeOS |publisher=FreeOS Technologies (I) Pvt. Ltd. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220131703/http://www.freeos.com/articles/2540/ |archive-date=February 20, 2008 }}</ref> and [[professional audio]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/linux-audio.ars |title=Editing audio in Linux |access-date=February 3, 2008 |last=Smith-Heisters |first=Ian |date=October 11, 2005 |work=Ars Technica |publisher=Ars Technica, LLC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217222239/http://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/linux-audio.ars |archive-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/linux-its-not/apr-07/27458 |title=Linux: It's Not Just For Computer Geeks Anymore |access-date=February 3, 2008 |last=Lumma |first=Carl |date=April 2007 |work=Keyboard Magazine |publisher=New Bay Media, LLC. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209161733/http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/linux-its-not/apr-07/27458 |archive-date=February 9, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb04/articles/mirrorimage.htm |title=Using Linux For Recording & Mastering |access-date=February 3, 2008 |last=James |first=Daniel |date=February 2004 |work=Sound On Sound |publisher=SOS Publications Group |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517050638/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb04/articles/mirrorimage.htm |archive-date=May 17, 2008}}</ref> there is equivalent software available on Linux. It is also possible to run applications written for [[Android OS|Android]] on other versions of Linux using [[Anbox]] (deprecated) or with [[Waydroid]].

=== Components and installation ===

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<gallery width="180px" height="120" caption="Samples of graphical desktop interfaces">

File:GNOME Shell 40 (applications grid).png|[[GNOME]]

File:KDE Plasma 56.21 Breeze Twilight3.6 screenshot.png|[[KDE Plasma 56]]

File:Cinnamon 4.2.3 screenshot.png|[[Cinnamon (desktop environment)|Cinnamon]]

File:Ubuntu Mate 18.04.1 with MATE 1.20.1.png|[[MATE (software)]]

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File:Lubuntu 13.04 English.png|[[LXDE]]

File:LXQt 0.10 - Ambiance.png|[[LXQt]]

File:I3-gaps-wiki.png|[[i3 (window manager)|i3-gaps]]

File:E17 bw screenshot.png|[[Enlightenment (window manager)|Enlightenment]]

File:Fluxbox.png|[[Fluxbox]]

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Linux distributions have also become popular in the [[netbook]] market, with many devices such as the [[Asus Eee PC]] and [[Aspire One|Acer Aspire One]] shipping with customized Linux distributions installed.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/may/28/netbooks-sales | title=Are netbooks losing their shine? | access-date=June 2, 2010 | ___location=London | date=May 28, 2009 | work=The Guardian | first=Jack | last=Schofield | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221110306/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/may/28/netbooks-sales | archive-date=December 21, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In 2009, Google announced its [[Chrome&nbsp;OSChromeOS]] as a minimal Linux-based operating system, using the [[Chrome browser]] as the main user interface. Chrome&nbsp;OSChromeOS initially did not run any non-web applications, except for the bundled file manager and media player. A certain level of support for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] applications was added in later versions.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html|title = Introducing the Google Chrome OS|date = July 7, 2009|access-date = June 12, 2014|website = Official Google Blog|publisher = [[Blogger (service)|Blogger]]|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120410044457/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html|archive-date = April 10, 2012|df = mdy-all}}</ref> As of 2018, Google added the ability to install any Linux software in a container,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439?hl=en|title=Set up Linux (Beta) on your Chromebook - Chromebook Help|website=support.google.com}}</ref> enabling Chrome OS to be used like any other Linux distribution. Netbooks that shipped with the operating system, termed [[Chromebooks]], started appearing on the market in June 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.cnet.com/news/first-take-samsung-series-5-chromebook-the-future-of-netbooks-hands-on-video/|title = First Take: Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, the future of Netbooks?|last = Stein|first = Scott|date = May 11, 2011|work = Journal|access-date = June 12, 2014|publisher = [[CNET]]|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714192627/http://www.cnet.com/news/first-take-samsung-series-5-chromebook-the-future-of-netbooks-hands-on-video/|archive-date = July 14, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

By 2015 Chromebooks with large screens were available, and also in other forms factors such as laptop, desktop, tablet and all-in-one. [[Android (operating system)|Android]] applications support was added.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html|title = Introducing the Google Chrome OS|date = July 7, 2009|access-date = June 12, 2014|website = Official Google Blog|publisher = [[Blogger (service)|Blogger]]|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120410044457/http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html|archive-date = April 10, 2012|df = mdy-all}}</ref> As of 2018, Google added the ability to install any Linux software in a container,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439?hl=en|title=Set up Linux (Beta) on your Chromebook - Chromebook Help|website=support.google.com}}</ref> enabling ChromeOS to be used like any other Linux distribution.

== Servers, mainframes and supercomputers ==

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Linux distributions are the cornerstone of the [[LAMP (software bundle)|LAMP]] server-software combination (Linux, [[Apache HTTP Server|Apache]], [[MariaDB]]/[[MySQL]], [[Perl]]/[[PHP]]/[[Python (programming language)|Python]]) which is one of the more common platforms for website hosting.<ref name="SecuritySpace">{{cite web|author=SecuritySpace|url=http://www.securityspace.com/s_survey/data/201005/index.html |title=Web Server Survey |publisher=SecuritySpace |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=June 27, 2010}}</ref>

Linux distributions have become increasingly common on [[mainframe computer|mainframes]], partly due to pricing and the open-source model.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://enterprisesystemsmedia.com/article/how-cios-can-use-linux-on-the-mainframe-to-maximize-savings-and-lower- |title=How CIOs Can Use Linux on the Mainframe to Maximize Savings and Lower TCO |last=Danner |first=David |date=April 3, 2012 |work=Enterprise Executive |publisher=Enterprise Systems Media |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708202839/http://enterprisesystemsmedia.com/article/how-cios-can-use-linux-on-the-mainframe-to-maximize-savings-and-lower- |archive-date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2009, computer giant [[IBM]] reported that it would predominantly market and sell mainframe-based Enterprise Linux Server.<ref name="The Register">{{cite web|author=Timothy Prickett Morgan|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/11/ibm_linux_only_mainframe/|title=IBM punts Linux-only mainframes Big MIPS, deep discounts|publisher=The Register|date=December 11, 2009|access-date=July 2, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213204122/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/11/ibm_linux_only_mainframe/|archive-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref> At [[LinuxCon|LinuxCon North America 2015]], IBM announced [[LinuxONE]], a series of mainframes specifically designed to run Linux and open-source software.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Babcock|first1=Charles|title=IBM's LinuxONE Mainframe: What's Old Is New Again|url=http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/ibms-linuxone-mainframe-whats-old-is-new-again/a/d-id/1321789|website=InformationWeek|publisher=InformationWeek|access-date=July 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708205846/http://www.informationweek.com/software/operating-systems/ibms-linuxone-mainframe-whats-old-is-new-again/a/d-id/1321789|archive-date=July 8, 2016 |language=en|date=August 18, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Hoffman|first1=Dale|last2=Mitran|first2=Marcel|title=Open Source & ISV Ecosystem Enablement for LinuxONE and IBM z|url=https://events.static.linuxfound.org/sites/events/files/slides/lcna15_linuxone.pdf|website=Linux Foundation|publisher=IBM|access-date=July 8, 2016|language=en|date=August 17, 2015}}</ref>

Linux distributions are also dominant as [[operating system]]s for [[supercomputer]]s.<ref name="rules_supercomputers">{{cite news | title = Linux rules supercomputers | url = https://www.forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux.html | last = Lyons | first = Daniel | access-date = February 22, 2007 | work = Forbes | date = March 15, 2005 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070224235804/http://www.forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux.html | archive-date = February 24, 2007 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> As of November 2017, all supercomputers on the [[TOP500|500]] list run some variant of Linux.<ref name=top500stats>{{cite web |url=http://www.top500.org/statistics/details/osfam/1 |title=TOP500 Supercomputer Sites: Operating system Family / Linux |publisher=Top500.org|access-date=November 13, 2017}}</ref> <!-- Linux is also dominant on the [[Green500]] list. seems to be the same one, just rearranged.-->

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== Smart devices ==

[[File:Samsung Galaxy Note series 2.jpg|thumb|Android smartphones]]

[[File:Tesla Model S digital panels.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|[[In-car entertainment]] system of the [[Tesla Model S]] is based on [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/tesla-model-s-ethernet-network-explored-possible-jailbreak-in-the-future | title=Tesla Model S Ethernet Network Explored | date=April 4, 2014 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409122552/http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/tesla-model-s-ethernet-network-explored-possible-jailbreak-in-the-future | archive-date=April 9, 2014 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/12/tesla-model-s-owners-hack-their-cars-find-ubuntu/|title=Tesla Model S owners hack their cars, find Ubuntu|website=Autoblog|date=12 April 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>]]

Several operating systems for [[smart devices]], such as [[smartphone]]s, [[tablet computer]]s, [[home automation]], [[smart TV]]s ([[Samsung]] and [[LG]] [[Smart TV]]s use [[Tizen]] and [[WebOS]], respectively),<ref name="Linux Smart TVs">{{cite web | title = Linux continues advance in smart TV market | url = http://linuxgizmos.com/linux-continues-advance-in-smart-tv-market/ | website = linuxgizmos.com | author = Eric Brown | date = Mar 29, 2019 | access-date = May 15, 2020 }}</ref> and [[in-vehicle infotainment]] (IVI) systems<ref name="Linux cars">{{cite web|title=It's a Linux-powered car world|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/its-a-linux-powered-car-world/|website=ZDNet|author=Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols|date=January 4, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref> (for example [[Automotive Grade Linux]]), are based on Linux. Major platforms for such systems include [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Firefox&nbsp;OS]], [[Mer (software distribution)|Mer]] and [[Tizen]].

Based on web use, Android's [[usage share of operating systems]] dominates globally, with almost double the marketshare of Microsoft Windows. As of September 2024 it has 45.4% of the global market, followed by Windows with less than 25.6%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Operating System Market Share Worldwide Sept 2024|url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share#monthly-202309-202409 |access-date=2024-09-16 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref>

Android has become the dominant mobile operating system for [[smartphone]]s, running on 79.3% of units sold worldwide during the second quarter of 2013.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url = https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/07/android-nears-80-market-share-in-global-smartphone-shipments-as-ios-and-blackberry-share-slides-per-idc/ | title = Android Nears 80% Market Share In Global Smartphone Shipments, As iOS And BlackBerry Share Slides, Per IDC | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170705111948/https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/07/android-nears-80-market-share-in-global-smartphone-shipments-as-ios-and-blackberry-share-slides-per-idc/ | archive-date = July 5, 2017 | df = mdy-all |first1=Darrell |last1=Etherington}}</ref>{{Update inline|reason=approximately true, but getting pretty stale|date=December 2021}} Android is also used on tables, smart TVs, and in-vehicle navigation systems.

Although Android is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel, commentators disagree on whether the term "Linux distribution" applies to it, and whether it is "Linux" according to the common usage of the term. Android is a [[Linux distribution]] according to the [[Linux Foundation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2012/12/what-year-linux-please-join-us-celebration |title=What a Year for Linux: Please Join us in Celebration |first=Amanda |last=McPherson |publisher=Linux Foundation |date=December 13, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417232521/http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/blogs/browse/2012/12/what-year-linux-please-join-us-celebration |archive-date=April 17, 2014 }}</ref> Google's open-source chief [[Chris DiBona]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://derstandard.at/1308186313932/Interview-Google-Android-is-the-Linux-desktop-dream-come-true |title=Google: "Android is the Linux desktop dream come true" |first=Andreas |last=Proschofsky |work=derStandard.at |date=July 10, 2011 |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130422021245/http://derstandard.at/1308186313932/Interview-Google-Android-is-the-Linux-desktop-dream-come-true |archive-date=April 22, 2013 }}</ref> and several journalists.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jerry |last=Hildenbrand |title=Ask AC: Is Android Linux? |url=http://www.androidcentral.com/ask-ac-android-linux |website=Android Central |publisher=Mobile Nations |date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=March 11, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408213437/http://www.androidcentral.com/ask-ac-android-linux |archive-date=April 8, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itworld.com/open-source/369810/android-really-linux-distribution |title=Is Android really a Linux distribution? |first=Jim |last=Lynch |work=ITworld |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=April 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205165359/http://www.itworld.com/open-source/369810/android-really-linux-distribution |archive-date=February 5, 2014 }}</ref> Others, such as Google engineer Patrick Brady, say that Android is not Linux in the traditional [[Unix-like]] Linux distribution sense; Android does not include the [[GNU C Library]] (it uses [[Bionic (software)|Bionic]] as an alternative C library) and some of other components typically found in Linux distributions.<ref name="ars introduction developer">{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Paul |title=Dream(sheep++): A developer's introduction to Google Android |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2009/02/an-introduction-to-google-android-for-developers/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=February 24, 2009 |access-date=June 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704115615/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2009/02/an-introduction-to-google-android-for-developers/ |archive-date=July 4, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Ars Technica]]'' wrote that "Although Android is built on top of the Linux kernel, the platform has very little in common with the conventional desktop Linux stack".<ref name="ars introduction developer" />

Cellphones and PDAs running Linux on open-source platforms became more common from 2007; examples include the [[Nokia N810]], [[Openmoko]]'s [[Neo1973]], and the [[Motorola ROKR E8]]. Continuing the trend, [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]] (later acquired by [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]]) produced a new Linux-derived operating system, [[webOS]], which is built into its line of [[Palm Pre]] smartphones.

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As a result of MeeGo's termination, the Mer project forked the MeeGo codebase to create a basis for mobile-oriented operating systems.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://merproject.org/|title = Mer Project|access-date = June 12, 2014|website = Mer Project|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140530010142/http://www.merproject.org/|archive-date = May 30, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> In July 2012, [[Jolla]] announced [[Sailfish OS]], their own mobile operating system built upon Mer technology.

[[File:Pine-pinephone.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|The [[PinePhone]] running [[Plasma Mobile]] on [[postmarketOS]].]]

[[Mozilla|Mozilla's]] Firefox&nbsp;OS consists of the Linux kernel, a [[hardware abstraction layer]], a [[web standards|web-standards]]-based [[Runtime system|runtime environment]] and user interface, and an integrated [[web browser]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Platform/Architecture|title = Firefox OS architecture|access-date = June 13, 2014|website = Mozilla Developer Network|publisher = [[Mozilla]]|url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140604022951/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox_OS/Platform/Architecture|archive-date = June 4, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

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{{See also|Embedded Linux|Linux devices}}

[[Image:Linksys-Wireless-G-Router.jpg|thumb|270px| A ubiquitous [[router (computing)|router]] running on the Linux kernel.]]

Due to its low cost and ease of customization, [[embedded Linux|Linux]] is often used in [[embedded system]]s. In the non-mobile telecommunications equipment sector, the majority of [[customer-premises equipment]] (CPE) hardware runs some Linux-based operating system. [[OpenWrt]] is a community-driven example upon which many of the OEM firmware releases are based.

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In the past, there were few games available for Linux. In recent years, more games have been released with support for Linux (especially [[Indie game]]s), with the exception of a few [[AAA (video game industry)|AAA title]] games. [[Android (operating system)|Android]], a mobile platform which uses the [[Linux kernel]], has gained much developer interest and is one of the main platforms for mobile game development along with [[iOS]] operating system by [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] for [[iPhone]] and [[iPad]] devices.

On February 14, 2013, [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] released a Linux version of [[Steam (service)|Steam]], a gaming distribution platform on PC.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/186722/Steam_Box_phase_one_complete_Steams_Linux_client_is_out_now.php|title = Steam Box phase one complete: Steam's Linux client is out now|last = Cifaldi|first = Frank|date = February 14, 2013|access-date = June 12, 2014|url-status=livedead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140707121916/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/186722/Steam_Box_phase_one_complete_Steams_Linux_client_is_out_now.php|archive-date = July 7, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Many Steam games were ported to Linux.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTcxMTY|title = There's Now 500 Games On Steam For Linux|last = Larabel|first = Michael|date = June 5, 2014|work = Journal|access-date = June 12, 2014|publisher = [[Phoronix]]|author-link = Michael Larabel|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140611010626/http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTcxMTY|archive-date = June 11, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> On December 13, 2013, Valve released [[SteamOS]], a gaming-oriented OS based on Debian, for [[beta testing]], and had plans to ship [[Steam Machine (hardware platform)|Steam Machines]] as a gaming and entertainment platform.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://store.steampowered.com/steamos/|title = SteamOS|access-date = June 12, 2014|website = Steam|publisher = Valve|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140616200555/http://store.steampowered.com/steamos|archive-date = June 16, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Valve has also developed [[VOGL]], an [[OpenGL]] debugger intended to aid video game development,<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTU3Mjg|title = Valve's VOGL OpenGL Debugger Should Be Great|last = Larabel|first = Michael|date = January 16, 2014|work = Journal|access-date = June 12, 2014|publisher = [[Phoronix]]|author-link = Michael Larabel|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140701054125/http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTU3Mjg|archive-date = July 1, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> as well as porting its [[Source (game engine)|Source]] game engine to desktop Linux.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/73510/steam-and-source-engine-being-ported-to-linux|title = Steam and Source Engine being ported to Linux|last = Mattas|first = Jeff|date = April 25, 2012|access-date = June 13, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140701153852/http://www.shacknews.com/article/73510/steam-and-source-engine-being-ported-to-linux|archive-date = July 1, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref> As a result of Valve's effort, several prominent games such as ''[[Dota 2|DotA 2]]'', ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'', ''[[Portal (video game)|Portal]]'', ''[[Portal 2]]'' and ''[[Left 4 Dead 2]]'' are now natively available on desktop Linux.

On July 31, 2013, [[Nvidia]] released [[Nvidia Shield|Shield]] as an attempt to use Android as a specialized gaming platform.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/21/nvidia-shield-ships-july-31st/|title = NVIDIA Shield|last = Buckley|first = Sean|date = July 21, 2014|access-date = June 13, 2014|publisher = [[Engadget]]|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140708002014/http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/21/nvidia-shield-ships-july-31st/|archive-date = July 8, 2014|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

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=== In space ===

[[SpaceX]] uses multiple redundant [[:Category:Avionics computers|flight computers]] in a [[fault-tolerant design]] in its [[Falcon&nbsp;9]] rocket. Each Merlin engine is controlled by three [[Voting logic|voting]] computers, with two physical processors per computer that constantly check each other's operation. Linux is not inherently fault-tolerant (no operating system is, as it is a function of the whole system including the hardware), but the flight computer software makes it so for its purpose.<ref name=aw20121118/> For flexibility, [[commercial off-the-shelf]] parts and system-wide "radiation-tolerant" design are used instead of [[radiation hardened]] parts.<ref name=aw20121118>{{cite news|last=Svitak |first=Amy |title=Dragon's "Radiation-Tolerant" Design |url=http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog%3a04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385&plckPostId=Blog%3a04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385Post%3aa8b87703-93f9-4cdf-885f-9429605e14df |access-date=November 22, 2012 |newspaper=Aviation Week |date=November 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203204735/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog%3A04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385&plckPostId=Blog%3A04ce340e-4b63-4d23-9695-d49ab661f385Post%3Aa8b87703-93f9-4cdf-885f-9429605e14df |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{As of|July 2019}}, SpaceX has conducted over [[List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches|76 launches]] of the Falcon&nbsp;9 since 2010, out of which all but one have successfully delivered their primary payloads to the intended [[orbit]], and has used it to transport astronauts to the [[International Space Station]]. The [[SpaceX Dragon 2|Dragon 2]] crew capsule also uses Linux.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/google-amp/article/from-earth-to-orbit-with-linux-and-spacex/|title=From Earth to orbit with Linux and SpaceX &#124; ZDNet|website=www.zdnet.com[[ZDNet]]}}</ref>

Windows was deployed as the operating system on non-mission critical laptops used on the space station, but it was later replaced with Linux. [[Robonaut#Robonaut 2|Robonaut 2]], the first humanoid robot in space, is also Linux-based.<ref name="LinuxMigration">{{cite web |title=Linux Foundation Training Prepares the International Space Station for Linux Migration |url=https://training.linuxfoundation.org/solutions/corporate-solutions/success-stories/linux-foundation-training-prepares-the-international-space-station-for-linux-migration/ |publisher=The Linux Foundation |access-date=September 1, 2019}}</ref>

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Linux distributions have been created to provide hands-on experience with coding and source code to students, on devices such as the [[Raspberry Pi]]. In addition to producing a practical device, the intention is to show students "how things work under the hood".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radar.oreilly.com/2015/07/4-ways-the-raspberry-pi-is-being-used-in-education.html|title=4 ways the Raspberry Pi is being used in education|last=Blanchette|first=Megan|date=July 7, 2015|website=O'Reilly Radar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910010507/http://radar.oreilly.com/2015/07/4-ways-the-raspberry-pi-is-being-used-in-education.html|archive-date=September 10, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>

The Ubuntu derivatives [[Edubuntu]] and [[The Linux Schools Project]], as well as the Debian derivative [[Skolelinux]], provide education-oriented software packages. They also include tools for administering and building school computer labs and computer-based classrooms, such as the [[Linux Terminal Server Project]] (LTSP).

=== Others ===