this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026
29 points (93.9% liked)
Linux
64034 readers
567 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Spot on, thanks for finding that. I wonder if there was ever a proof of concept or something like that. I installed my first copy of Slackware some time in the early 90… Maybe late 80s… it’s getting a bit fuzzy, I want to say that the kernel was pre 0.9.
One of the scariest things I had ever done, but I learned so much more about computers than I would have otherwise. Point being there was definitely some years between Ken’s article… still very much the era of viruses for the same of proving you could create something novel and powerful. We kept collections of them like weirdos that keep poisonous snakes 🐍
Anyway, it’s past grandpas bed time. Thanks again for finding the article, I’ll definitely have to do a bit more research… It was a super fun time in my life and I enjoyed remembering.
I thought he did do a proof of concept, but I could be wrong. It's been a while (many years) since I've read up on it.
My first Linux install was also Slackware, albeit Slackware 3.x, in the late 90s, while avoiding grad school work. I don't remember what kernel it used at that time. So if you're grampa, I guess I'm your son. :)