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Linux version 0.01
It's on the net! -
The first Linux newsgroup, comp.os.linux started.
By Ari Lemmke -
Peter MacDonald announces SLS, the first standalone Linux install.
At least 10MB of space on disk was recommended. -
The first issue of Linux Journal is published.
This issue featured an interview with Linus Torvalds and articles written by Phil Hughes, Robert “Bob” Young, Michael K. Johnson, Arnold Robbins, Matt Welsh, Ian A. Murdock, Frank B. Brokken, K. Kubat, Micahel Kraehe and Bernie Thompson. Advertisers in the premier issue include Algorithms Inc., Amtec Engineering, Basmark, Fintronic (later became VA Research, VA Linux Systems, then...), Infomagic, Prime Time Freeware, Promox, Signum Support, SSC, Trans Ameritech, USENIX, Windsor Tech and Yggdrasi -
Linux Expo, the first Linux-specific tradeshow and conference series
Linux Expo, the first Linux-specific tradeshow and conference series, launches, thanks to the folks at North Carolina State University and in particular, Donnie Barnes. Speakers include Marc Ewing, Rik Faith and Michael K. Johnson, among others. Linux Expo snowballs and becomes the most popular and well-attended annual Linux show for the next several years (after three years Red Hat takes over organization and becomes the major sponsor). The price for entry into the exhibit hall and a pass to th -
First “Linux virus” discovered.
First “Linux virus” discovered. Called Bliss, it actually works on any UNIX-like OS and offers a helpful—“bliss-uninfect-files-please” command-line option. Alan Cox points out that Bliss “does not circumvent the security of the system, it relies on people with privilege to do something dumb” and reminds users to install digitally signed software from trustworthy sites only and to check signatures before installing. “In fact it's probably easier to write a virus for Linux because it's open sourc -
Linux Weekly News begins publication with Jonathan Corbet and Elizabeth Coolbaugh as founders.
Linux Weekly News begins publication with Jonathan Corbet and Elizabeth Coolbaugh as founders. The very first issue, dated January 22, was just a tiny hint of what LWN was to become. Netscape announces that they will release the source to their browser under a free software license. This almost certainly remains one of the most important events of the year; it opened a lot of eyes to what Linux and free software could provide. -
Red Hat goes public
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The Register headline: “Merced silicon happens: Linux runs, NT doesn't”.
First Intel IA-64 “Merced” silicon. Although Intel had given simulators to several OS vendors, Linux is the only OS to run on the new architecture on its first day. The Register headline: “Merced silicon happens: Linux runs, NT doesn't”. -
New Jersey is spending $1 million or so to buy 1,250 Linux-equipped PCs from Dell
“'Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. in Burlington, New Jersey is spending $1 million or so to buy 1,250 Linux-equipped PCs from Dell, but it won't pay Red Hat a dime for support', says Michael Prince, chief information officer. 'I suppose Red Hat's business model makes sense to somebody, but it makes no sense to us', he says.” —Daniel Lyons, Forbes, May 31, 1999. Then in September, Burlington ended up purchasing support from Red Hat. -
Washington Post headline
“I was dumbfounded to discover that installing Linux was easy. Why? Well, the world has changed. No more do you have to understand everything about Linux before you install it, downloading the many chunks of code necessary to run a complete system and getting them all to work together. That was BSW—before shrink-wrap. With companies such as Red Hat and Corel putting all the software you need in a box, the pain is (nearly) gone.” —John Schwartz -
The long-awaited 2.4.0 kernel was released on January 4.
The US National Security Agency (NSA) releases SELinux under the GPL. SELinux offers an additional layer of security checks in addition to the standard UNIX-like permissions system. -
IBM gets into trouble over its “Peace, Love and Linux” graffiti in several cities.
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The Linux 2.5 kernel summit is held in San Jose, California
It is, perhaps, the most complete gathering of Linux kernel hackers in history. -
Sony's PlayStation Linux kit
Sony's PlayStation Linux kit, shipped in Japan, sells out in eight minutes despite a doubling of the available stock. -
IBM runs famous Linux ad during superbowl
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Linux foundation is formed to promote and standardize linux
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Linux based Android OS outships all smartphones
