Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
The Linux Distributions of 1992
The modern Linux distros owe their existence to those first releases, back in 1992.
September 06, 2023
post photo preview

1992 was an amazing year for Linux.

In the span of just a few months, Linux went from “it’s technically possible to boot a text mode root environment with two floppies and a hex editor (and a whole lot of luck)” to “surprisingly capable, full operating system with graphical X Window environment”.

All while Boyz II Men (“End of the Road”) and Sir Mix‑a‑Lot (“Baby Got Back”) ruled the airwaves. I like to imagine those songs playing as the soundtrack to late-night coding sessions as these first Linux releases are getting developed.

Let’s take a quick, chronological tour through 1992… the first year of “Linux Distributions.” As you go through this tour, feel free listen to those songs. You know. To really bring you back to ‘92.

Here we go. The key “Linux distro” releases of 1992. In order.

January, 1992 - HJ Lu Boot / Root - Linux 0.12

Many consider HJ Lu's "Boot / Root" disks to be the first true Linux distribution.
 
Two floppies. One to boot. One for the root environment. No GUI. No installer. Is it a full “distribution”? I think it counts.

February, 1992 - MCC Interim Linux

Immediately following the "Boot / Root" -- by only a few weeks -- was "MCC Interim Linux".

Created at the University of Manchester Computing Centre, MCC was (arguably) the first “full featured” distribution. No X Windows yet. Came on two floppies with an installer.
 

May, 1992 - TAMU Linux

Not long after MCC Interim Linux... we saw the release of TAMU Linux.  Which holds the distinction of being the first grpahical Linux distribution.
 
TAMU (Texas A & M Unix & Linux User Group) was the first Linux distribution that used X Windows (XFree86). Pretty big deal.
 

May, 1992 - Softlanding Linux System

Both TAMU and Softlanding Linux System (aka SLS) were released in the same month.  Both with X Windows.  A wild time to be a Linux user.
 
“Gentle Touchdowns for DOS Bailouts” was the slogan. Also included X Windows, but was beaten to release by TAMU… by mere days.
 

December, 1992 - Yggdrasil

 
The first alpha release of Yggdrasil (the best named distro ever) was at the tail end of 1992. The system discontinued in 1995.

Of the systems created in 1992, SLS (Softlanding Linux System) had what I would consider to be the biggest impact. Because of the general bugginess of SLS, two of the longest running (and most influential) Linux based systems were created…

Slackware and Debian both kicked off in 1993 (and are still rocking to this very day). SUSE rolled along in 1994 (which was, initially, based on Slackware), followed shortly thereafter by Red Hat.

While there were a lot — and I mean a lot — of dramatic improvements to Linux (and the software that ran on it) in the years after 1992… something about that first full year of Linux remains magical.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
14
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Lunduke Journal Videos Now Subscriber Exclusives

All articles and audio podcasts remain 100% free for everyone.

The Article:
https://lunduke.substack.com/p/lunduke-journal-videos-now-subscriber

00:09:55
Open Source Orgs Pledge Fealty to United Nations

Linux Foundation, GNOME Foundation, others pledge to "support the needs of the United Nations", promote DEl discrimination & RISE.

The article:
https://lunduke.substack.com/p/open-source-orgs-pledge-fealty-to

00:30:10
Counter-Strike 2 Switched to Wayland (for One Day)

After a number of significant issues when running under Wayland, Valve's CS2 is now back to X11 as default. Wayland advocates blame everything but Wayland.

00:13:19
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

So, DistroTube uploaded a video about the Fedora Everything ISO. He installed the LXQt desktop environment. When he logged in for the first time, he went to adjust his monitor resolution and it said "LXQt monitor settings are currently unsupported under this Wayland compositor." He switched to the X11 session and it worked. Somewhere in the distance, a Wayland dev cries.

This seems neat. ASCII turn based RPG.

21 hours ago

Wikimedia loses their UK case against the odious Online Protection law.

I wonder if this UK law applies to AI agents as well. If it doesn't, it will make sites harder to use and AI much more attractive.

Unintended consequence or intentional move?

Wikimedia Foundation’s lead counsel, Phil Bradley-Schmieg, said in May that Category 1 duties, if enforced, “would undermine the privacy and safety of Wikipedia volunteer users, expose the encyclopedia to manipulation and vandalism, and divert essential resources from protecting and improving Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia Projects.”

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/wikipedia-operator-loses-court-challenge-to-uk-online-safety-act-rules-5899615

post photo preview
Linux Foundation’s New Banned Words: Hung, Pow-wow, & Sanity Check
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Netflix, Apple, & Intel teamed up with The Linux Foundation to say "don't use HUNG when talking about software."

The Linux Foundation has announced the release of a new “Inclusive Language Guide” — which adds a handful of new words you are not allowed to say.

And it’s even more ridiculous than you might expect.

 

This new “Inclusive Language Guide” is designed to “drive a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture” (read: DEI) and to replace “offensive language” with “acceptable language”.

Past iterations of the “Inclusive Language Guide” included “Socially Charged” words such as “Master / Slave”, “Black / White”, and even “Owner”.

This new revision officially adds “Pow-wow” to that list of death-causing words.

 

Of course, any “gendered language” remains firmly off limits. “Manpower”? Can’t say that. And definitely don’t use “gendered” pronouns like “he” or “she”.

Doing so is literally genocide.

 

Which brings us to my favorite new additions (to the “Ableist” and “Violent” language sections of the list).

  • Sanity Check

  • Dummy

  • Hung

That’s right. You can’t use the word “hung” anymore.

 

I deleted 3 different titles for this story containing the word “hung”. They were all very entertaining and very inappropriate. I would like credit for the restraint I am showing right now.

As crazy, insane, and abnormal (see what I did there?) as this list of “bad” words is… what’s even stranger is the group behind it.

This is a joint project between The Linux Foundation and — wait for it — the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Yes. The one that produces the Oscars.

 

The two organizations teamed up to create the Academy Software Foundation.

Which, apparently, ran out of worthwhile things to work on… and, instead, chose to add “hung” to a “don’t use this word in the software industry” list.

That organization also worked with the Alliance for OpenUSDanother Linux Foundation Project — to publish this list.

 

Who, exactly, is responsible for making all of this happen at the Alliance for OpenUSD?

Pixar, Nvidia, Adobe, Autodesk, and Apple.

 

And the leadership over at the Academy Software Foundation includes companies like Netflix, Sony, Adobe, Intel, Microsoft, and Epic Games.

 

Right about now you may be wondering why Epic Games and Amazon is so worried about you using the word “hung”.

I don’t have an answer for you.

It’s weird.


Thanks to all of the subscribers to The Lunduke Journal for making this work possible — without taking a single dime from Big Tech (or running a single ad). Check Lunduke.com for all the ways you can get the articles, podcasts, and videos.

Read full Article
post photo preview
50% Off Lunduke Journal for August
You save money. The Lunduke Journal gets more subscribers. Win-win.

This last weekend we had a “50% off Subscriptions” sale — and the response was nothing short of phenomenal. Amazing to see so many people supporting truly independent Tech Journalism!

The future looks bright.

You know what? Just for kicks, let’s extend that 50% off… for the entire month of August.

Take your time. Pick the subscription type (below) that makes the most sense for you (there are many, most excellent options).

Note: The 50% off discounts are available via Locals, Substack, & Itch (MP4 Downloads). Monthly subscriptions are also available on X, Patreon, & YouTube, but those platforms do not have the ability to provide these types of discounts.

If you’re ever unsure of where to grab the latest articles, podcasts, and videos from The Lunduke Journal, check out Lunduke.com.

50% Off Yearly or Monthly Subscription:

Available via both Locals and Substack. (This includes full access to all new videos & the community Forum.)

That means $3 / Month. Or $27 / Year (which works out to $2.25 / Month).

Via Lunduke.Locals.com:

Via Lunduke.Substack.com:

Note: You can also grab a Monthly subscription via X, YouTube, or Patreon. There’s no way to offer a discount on those platforms. But those are still good options!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription:

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal. For life.

Now, through the entire month of August… you can snag one at a crazy discount. Normally these are $200… but you can grab one for $100. (You can also pay more if you’d like to donate a little extra.)

The Lifetime Subscription can be obtained via Locals, Substack, or using Bitcoin. All three options work great and are super easy (& all three include full access to both new videos & the community Forum). Scroll down and choose your option.

Note: The Lifetime Subscription only applies to Substack and Locals. Other platforms (such as X, Patreon, & YouTube) do not provide the functionality necessary to create Lifetime Subscriptions.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Locals:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "100" (or more) into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would also like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription with Bitcoin:

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin.

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com or Substack.com (or both).

50% Off DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that. For 50% off.

Note: This DRM-Free download option does not include access to the Forum. This option is strictly for downloading the episodes.

No matter which type of subscription you choose, thank you for your support! Every subscription goes directly towards keeping The Lunduke Journal running well into the future.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
post photo preview
NixOS Now Celebrates Pride Month… Year Round
First NixOS conducts a mass "purge" of Conservatives. Now the Linux distro has permanently changed their logo to reflect "LGBT Pride", banning contributors who ask why.

The wild, woke saga of NixOS continues.

Back in June — during “Pride Month” — the NixOS Linux project changed their logo to “stand with [their] LGBTQ+ friends”.

 

One developer inquired about this, by asking “Is NixOS now taking a stance on social political issues? If so, perhaps a written statement should accompany such changes.”

 

It was then made clear, by NixOS leadership, that this new “Pride” version of their logo was intended to be a semi-permanent thing.

“This isn’t just a June statement,” said the representative of NixOS in a post reinforcing their focus on LGBTQ+ pride. “It’s something we live year round.”

 

Immediately following this statement, NixOS leadership declared that they plan to “keep the pride-themed logo up longer”. Stating that, for NixOS, “the ongoing fight for equality and celebrating LGBTQ+ friends does not stop on June 30th.”

 

After which, that developer who inquired if NixOS was taking a political stance… was banned.

 

And he wasn’t simply banned from one platform. That developer was “permanently suspended on all platforms for trolling.” Forums, chat, bug tracking, code repositories… the works.

 

Of course, this sort of political extremism is nothing new for NixOS.

The NixOS Purge

Back in April of 2024, NixOS began mass suspending users and contributors under suspicion of having Conservative politics.

 

Quickly, many of those temporary suspensions turned into permanent bans from the entire NixOS project. An event which the NixOS moderation team affectionately called a “purge” of those who they called “Nazis” (but were, in fact, not actually Nazis).

They did so while waving the Antifa flag.

 

All of which culminated in the NixOS moderation team forcing the founder of NixOS to abdicate his role in the project.

This crew of political extremists even went so far as to draft an abdication letter on behalf of the NixOS founder… and they, somehow, convinced him to sign it.

One of the notes from the extremists — within the draft — noted that the NixOS founder must be forced to add himself as a signatory of the letter "for it to appear amicable".

It sounds wild, but it truly happened. Here’s a screenshot of a draft of the abdication letter — written, in Google Docs, by the extremists.

 

As we can see, banning — or, in NixOS parlance, “purging” — of those with “wrong” political opinions is nothing new.

And it appears that, even after the mass bannings of 2024, the NixOS extremists are not yet done with their “purge”.

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals