Linux

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Linux
GNULinux.png
Character Information
Common Names Linux
Other Names GNU/Linux
Human Name(s) Lina Torvalds
Faction Linux Unix Consortium
Lineage Unix-like
Appearance
Height Varies
Hair Color Varies, including black, purple and brown
Eye Color Varies, including purple, red and orange
Weapon(s) Spear
Design
First Appearance 2004
Technical Information
System Personified GNU/Linux
Developer(s) Various
Debut 17 September 1991
Latest release Kernel: 3.1, 24 October 2011


Technical Details

GNU/Linux is the name given to a family of open source Unix-like operating systems. One of the most famous and successful implementations of open source software, Linux distributions can be found in every sector of the computer industry and on every modern architecture– from the largest mainframes to the fastest supercomputers to PCs and cell phones.

Created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, the original Linux kernel source was posted to a usenet group, where people the world over began modifying and improving its construction. Soon thereafter the kernel was coupled with the GNU Project's collection of libraries and utilities, making a viable operating system – by 1992, the first Linux distros appeared. Since then GNU/Linux has continually evolved, with various distros created and funded by corporations, institutions, communities and individuals.

Character details

While Linux-tan is a relatively uncommon character in the OS-tan lineup, several Linux-tan personifications exist.

Futaba

Futaba Linux-tan

Originating on the Futaba image board around 2003 or '04, one of the earliest known Linux characterizations is Kami-Tux, a large bearded penguin with gnu horns, a row of gear-teeth running down the top of his head[1] and a spear.[2]. Another, humanoid design originating on Futaba is a young girl with light skin, long hair, a sleeveless blue dress with gold accents, and flipper-shaped shoes. Like Kami-Tux, she carries a spear with multiple ribbons attached near the spearhead, and wears a large helmet with a penguin bill-like visor, gnu horns and a row of gear's teeth running down the middle. This design varies from artist to artist, but it often incorporated logos from Linux-related projects: for instance, the KDE "K" stamped on her helmet, the GNOME footprint logo printed on her dress, and the names of different Linux bootloaders emblazoned on the spear ribbons. Her eyes are usually red or pink and her hair purple or black.

She is sometimes depicted alongside Kami-Tux or Lindows-tan.

Juzo-kun

In early 2005, the Italian artist Juzo-kun designed another Linux humanization [3]. This depiction features a light-skinned woman with long brown hair and orange eyes. She wears a black-and-white military-style jacket with gold accents, white tights and gloves, golden boots and armor on her shoulders, forearms and shins, as well as a geared helmet and carries a spear[4]. She is portrayed as serious, martial and willing to fight against the Windows-tans.[5]

Several subsequent Linux personifications incorporate features from this character.

Unknown Creators/Origins

Another depiction, originating in 2006 or earlier, portrays Linux-tan as a large-breasted, light skinned woman with black hair and brown eyes. She wears a semi-transparent, penguin-themed bodysuit.[6][7]

Another old depiction features a blue haired girl in a yellow bodysuit and long jacket balancing a wine glass on her head.[8]


Alert
The following section contains material originally proposed in the OS-tan Annex Project.
It is fanon and should not be construed as canon. It is preserved here for historical purposes and to document the creative efforts of OS-tan Collections members.

C-Chan

C-chan's Linux-tan

Originating on OS-tan Collections, this 2007 personification is an amalgamation of both Juzo-kun's and Futaba's Linux-tans. Like the Futaba design, she is depicted with light skin, purple hair, a billed-and-horned helmet, and ribbon-covered spear, but wearing an outfit based on Juzo-kun's, albeit with a modified color scheme[9]. Her eye color is purple.

A variation of C-Chan's design utilized by BellaCielo in her comic (and later adopted by C-Chan) depicts Linux-tan with side-swept bangs, KDE logo earrings, a navy blue military-style jacket, similarly-colored knee-high boots, white short-shorts or a white miniskirt and tights, and a teal Compiz-Fusion cape. She carries a halberd covered in numerous red ribbons emblazoned with Linux utility names and possesses force-field shields instead of her traditional helmet and body armor. As well, there is a Security Enhanced Linux GNU/Linux-tan variation - this version puts Linux-tan in elaborate military-style uniform. Both of these designs are considered current-day or future representations of Linux-tan rather than different characters altogether.[10]

Further development presents Linux-tan as being about 5'6" tall, average build, and roughly in her early adulthood in apparent age. This design was also used by author NejinOniwa in his series of stories, with minimal alterations.

Personality

Linux-tan is depicted as having the intelligence and pragmatism of a Unix combined with the optimism and idealism of an Open Source disciple. She values openness above all else, and while friends find her blunt honesty refreshing, detractors accuse her of being tactless. In spite of her brusque nature, she is sincerely devoted to helping others. She is particularly vested in the plight of older and abandoned computer-tans as well as her Open Source brethren and is quick to speak out against injustices.

Like the majority of Open Source OS-tans, Linux is extroverted and values community, and although she is lacking somewhat in social grace still commands the attention and admiration of others. Although she can best be described as intelligent beyond her years, Linux-tan's psychological age is roughly equivalent to her physical one and she maintains a sense of youthful enthusiasm. Although she has historically been oriented more toward work than play, in recent years she has cultivated a better capacity for fun.

In spite of her generally good nature and inclination toward helping "the common man", historically Linux-tan has found more popularity amongst business, scientific and other high-end types than home and personal computers and users - a phenomena likely caused by her reputation for being cryptic and verbose to those not versed in the ways of Unix-kind. In recent years she has befriended more non-technical types than ever before, broadening her horizons.

Although she is trained in a number of fighting techniques, Linux-tan is non-violent overall – believing her ideals to be a far more powerful weapon against adversaries than any spell or spear. On the occasions that she must fight, she chooses to do so fairly and honorably.

Powers

She was born without any innate magical abilities, but her tutor Minix-sensei taught her rudimentary healing spells during her childhood, an ability she honed throughout her youth. During her training under the GNU Project, she acquired a considerably broader range of sorcery - including specialized and general-purpose sorcery as well as self-defense magic. A true Open Soucerer, she has developed many spells of her own and shares them freely with her followers and any curious parties.

While she possesses knowledge of a number of defensive sorcery techniques, she prefers hand-to-hand combat - believing her sorcery is better put to use in constructive rather than destructive pursuits. In recent years she has deployed specialized magical armor - generally depicted as a sort of horned halo, this armor takes the place of her old helmet.

History and background

Born in Finland in 1991, Linux turned over to Minix-sensei for further schooling. As per “father's” orders, in 1992 she was set out into the world so that she might find her own path in life.

Linux consciously avoided the destruction of the Unix Wars, allowing her to develop free of its negative influences. Born powerless, a chance encounter with ITS inspired her to approach the GNU society – practitioners of an advanced form of “open sourcery” who sought an OS-tan to wield the power they has created. At their headquarters in Boston she learnt the secrets of their sorcery and most of her strategic skills.

Like Unix-tan before her, Linux-tan's source code was shared freely allowing for the generation of a number of offspring without any involvement on her part. Her powers, growing family and band of followers, and political alliances made Linux stronger than ever - as well as a prime target for the Unix-tans, who were terrified that her rising popularity would further destabilize their already crumbling society. In an attempt to pacify those calling for Linux's capture, Unix ordered some of her daughters to find and deliver Linux to her, orders which they begrudgingly carried out. Linux initially feared that Unix meant to assassinate her, but it soon became clear that Unix meant no harm.

Their discussion turned to matters of family and conflict, during which Unix revealed her fear that Linux would destroy the old Unix hierarchy and replace it with her own, much as Unix herself had done to the generation proceeding her own. Linux was smart enough to draw a parallel between Unix's life story and her own rise to power. Not wanting to encounter a similar fate, Linux agreed to Unix's suggestion that they work together instead of fighting.

While Linux and Unix cultures have been largely integrated, their treatment of each other is uneasy at best and Linux remains a point of suspicion – especially with the looming possibility that she could inherit the Unix throne.

Family and relationships

Unix

Linux-tan maintains a respectful relationship with Unix-tan. While they started off more as professional partners than friends, their shared experiences and complementary personalities eventually lead to a mutual affection for one another. [11] They keep their true feelings secret to outsiders to avoid political unrest among their often-opposing offspring and followers.

Others

Linux-tan is close to her creator, considering him a father of sorts.

Fanworks

OSC Linux

Juzo-Kun's Linux

Other Designs

Comics

Writings

Refereces

  1. ↑ Possibly referencing the KDE logo
  2. ↑ Kami-Tux bust
  3. ↑ Juzo-kun's Linux-tan
  4. ↑ Apparent references to the earlier Futaba design
  5. ↑ Linux-tan vs. XP-kun
  6. ↑ (Sensitive content) Unknown Linux-tan
  7. ↑ (Sensitive content) A second depiction
  8. ↑ Blue haired Linux-tan
  9. ↑ blue and white instead of black and white
  10. ↑ Carrying forward the idea that the youthful-looking Futaba Linux design Linux-tan's early self.
  11. ↑ "So you could almost say that UNIX-sama and Linux-sama....... might as well be soul mates of sorts? So different yet so much alike, bridging past and present, and living out eachother's lives while striving for a common future..."
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