Linus Torvalds

Linus Torvalds

Linus Torvalds is the creator of the Linux operating system kernel. A kernel is the central part of all major operating systems, which manages the system resources of a computer. Most of the Linux kernel is still written by Torvalds and he remains the ultimate authority on what appears in the Linux operating system. Torvalds currently works for The Linux Foundation. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife Tove and three daughters.

Fast Facts

Full Name: Linus Benedict Torvalds
Born: December 28, 1969
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Once had a rumored middle name of "Eric"
Has had laser eye surgery so he would not have to wear glasses

Early Life

Torvalds attended University of Helsinki, where he majored in Computer Science. Torvalds thoughts for developing the Linux operating system came while he was writing his thesis for the University of Helsinki. After graduating, he was a major contributor to 86open, which helped form a common binary file format for Unix-based operating systems for the x86 architecture.

Development of Linux

When Torvalds first began writing the operating system, he intended on calling the kernel, "Freakx". However, the project was renamed when one of his friends named the FTP directory where they were compiling the code "Linux". Torvalds posted a message on Usenet in August, 1991, inviting the public to help him write the operating system. The first release came a few months later, September, 1991, with version 0.01.

The Mascot

The mascot of the Linux operating system is a penguin named Tux due to Torvalds fascination with penguins.

Personal Life

Linus Torvalds met his wife, Tove Torvalds, after being asked out on a date in the fall of 1993, during a computer laboratory exercise. They later married and had three children, all daughters, Patricia, Daniela, and Celeste.

Categories

Technology | People in Tech | Programming, Design and Development | History | Inventors

| View Note History

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Site: Linus Torvalds
Wikipedia: Linus Torvalds | Linus Torvalds Quotes
Linux Online!: Linus Torvalds Biography
The Linux Information Project: Linus Torvalds Biography
NNDB: Linus Torvalds Biography
WIRED: How Linus Torvalds became benevolent dictator of Planet Linux...
YouTube Video: The Origins of Linux - Linus Torvalds (Time: 1:25:12)

Linus Torvalds Professional Profile

Current Projects
- Project Coordinator, Linux kernel

Past Projects
- Student, University of Helsinki
- Contributor, 86open

Linus Torvalds News and Articles

Topix: Linus Torvalds
Google News: Linus Torvalds
Linux.org: Why the Linux Logo is a Penguin
Builder.au: Linux is ready to go green: Linus Torvalds (January 31, 2008)
Ars Technica: Linus Torvalds on Microsoft Patent Threat: It Works Both Ways (May 16, 2007)
CNET: Torvalds: 'Hot air' in debates on GPL, content control (January 16, 2007)
The New York Times: Creator of Linux Defends Its Originality (December 23, 2003)

Linus Torvalds Blogs and Commentaries

Google Blog Search: Linus Torvalds
NewsBlog (CNET): Torvalds 'pretty pleased' About New GPL 3 Draft (March 28, 2008)
The Digital Home (CNET): Is Linus Torvalds Even Speaking For Linux Anymore? (February 7, 2008)
Webmonkey monkey_bites: Linus Torvalds on Why Users Aren't Flocking to Linux (February 5, 2008)
Engadget: Linus Torvalds Calls Apple's File System "utter crap" (February 5, 2008)
The Open Road (CNET): Linus Torvalds: Mac OS X and Windows Can't Hold a Candle... (February 5, 2008)

Linus Torvalds Interviews

FirstMonday: Interview with Linus Torvalds
The Linux Foundation: Linus Torvalds Interview | Part 2
CNN.com: Reclusive Linux Founder Opens Up
EFYTimes.com: Linus Torvalds: I Have Never Really Talked To Microsoft!
YouTube Video: Linus Torvalds interview with Charlie Rose Part 2 (Time: 7:31)

Linus Torvalds Photos

Google Image Search: Linus Torvalds
Yahoo! Image Search: Linus Torvalds
Live Search Images: Linus Tovalds

Linus Torvalds Videos