From subversive to mainstream: Looking back on 18 years with Linux | Linux Today

From subversive to mainstream: Looking back on 18 years with Linux

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
May 24, 2013

Linux. From its original concept way back in 1991, to its near world domination in 2013, Linux has travelled far as an operating system and as a symbol of freedom.

You can now find Linux on every type of hardware from mainframes to mid-range servers to desktops to tablets to cell phones and down to miniature computing devices such as the Arduino. There’s really no limit to what Linux can do or has done for technology.

Its positive impact on computing cannot be denied.

Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

Linux Today Logo

LinuxToday is a trusted, contributor-driven news resource supporting all types of Linux users. Our thriving international community engages with us through social media and frequent content contributions aimed at solving problems ranging from personal computing to enterprise-level IT operations. LinuxToday serves as a home for a community that struggles to find comparable information elsewhere on the web.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.