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Abstract
Linux, a clone of commercial UNIX operating systems, allows users to run off any number of software programs for front- and back-end operations. And unlike UNIX, Microsoft Windows, and the Macintosh operating system, Linux is an open-source program. That means the source code (intellectual property) for Linux is available online to anybody who wants to view, download or adapt it. Besides being free, Linux has a low crash rate that industry experts say is unparalleled. Marcus McConnell, systems architect for creative and infrastructure services provider Fry Multimedia, says the majority of Linux users are universities, students and researchers. He also says the free Apache Web server is the most popular web server software in the world, and many Apache users choose Linux as their operating system. However, Linux is not without its quirks.