OPERATING
SYSTEMS
Teacher: Estefano Rivera Bermúdez
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
Monday, January 13, 2025
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
Evolution of Linux
• 1990 - GNU/LINUX
GNU/Linux, or Linux, is a free, Unix-like operating system that is cross-platform, multi-
user, and multi-tasking. It combines the GNU project (started by Richard Stallman) with
the Linux kernel (developed by Linus Torvalds). As free software, its source code is
open for anyone to use, modify, and share.
• 1992 - Softlanding Linux System (SLS):
This was one of the first GNU/Linux distributions that came with basic tools, libraries, and
a functional out-of-the-box environment. Although innovative, its design was not very
stable; hence, more organized distributions outgrew it.
• 1993 - Slackware and Debian:
Slackware: By Patrick Volkerding, it was characterized by being a simple, stable
distribution, very close to the original Linux kernel. It is oriented for advanced users and
is one of the oldest active distributions.
Debian GNU/Linux: Driven by Ian Murdock, it distinguished itself for being an open
community project, governed by a social contract and its free software policy. It was the
basis for popular distributions like Ubuntu.
Monday, January 13, 2025
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
• 1994 - SUSE Linux:
Developed from the Slackware variant, SUSE was perhaps best known for having very
friendly tools for administration, namely, YaST. It has thus gained widespread enterprise
usage and becomes easy to use in system installs and configuration.
• 1995 - Red Hat Linux
Red Hat has been among those first few commercial distributions that applied a well-
known, advanced software package manager called the RPM Package Manager.
Because it is fairly decent, it is really popular among system administrators in an
enterprise setting.
• 1998 - Mandriva Linux:
To be precise, although it was based on Red Hat, Mandriva wanted to be more
straightforward for novice users. It also proposed an intuitive graphical installer and
configuration tools, being quite popular with new Linux users.
• 1999 - Corel Linux
By Corel, this Debian-based distribution introduced the KDE desktop environment that
greatly enhanced the Graphical User Interface experience. It gave a cover under which
Corel applications could also be ported to the Linux system.
Monday, January 13, 2025
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
Evolution of macOS:
• 1984 - System 1:
This system was the first to introduce user-friendly graphical interfaces. It had a graphical
desktop, overlapping windows, pull-down menus-elements that made Macintoshes
unique among other systems at that time.
• 1985 - System 2:
It introduced enhancements in the Finder that was faster. It added very useful features
such as the creation of folders and the possibility of correctly shutting down the system.
• 1986 - System 3:
Notably developed with the Hierarchical File System that provided for the creation of files
in subsets of folders; this enhanced functionality to provide a better, efficient way to
manage large quantities of data.
• 1987 - System 4:
Monday, January 13, 2025
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
Groundbreaking in support for multiple monitors-the first to increase users' capabilities
and productivity through expanding their workplace, especially regarding graphics work
• 1990- System 7:
This system made the giant leap forward by enabling multitasking and support for 32-bit
memory, thus allowing computers to handle more than 8 MB of RAM. It also introduced
features such as AppleScript and network file sharing.
• 1997 - Mac OS 8:
It had an updated interface that included 3D. It had added multitasking functionality and
utilities to manage multiple running applications with ease, and provided Windows
networking support.
• 1999 - Mac OS 9:
Added the functionality for multiple user accounts on one computer, with personalized
profiles. Even more, it brought the option of software updates using the Internet, a
modernisation leap towards today.
• 2001 - Mac OS X 10.0 'Cheetah':
This version finally revolutionized the operating system, being based on a UNIX kernel to
assure stability, security, and true multitasking support. Its Aqua graphical environment
came as a big visual change, with translucent windows and fluid animations.
• 2002 - Mac OS X 10.2 'Jaguar':
Improved compatibility with Windows networks, further securing its place in corporate
environments. It added features like Address Book, iChat, and optimized graphics
performance.
Monday, January 13, 2025
Ivan Emmanuel Corral Luevanos 7B ISW BIS
Both chronologies give insight into how Linux and macOS each moved to meet the
requirements of different groups, from highly technical users and businesses down to the
general consumer, in their contribution to modern computing.
References:
- Timetoast. (1990). linea de tiempo de la evolucion de linux timeline. Timetoast
Timelines. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/linea-de-tiempo-de-la-evolucion-
de-linux
- Timetoast. (1984). Linea del tiempo sistema operativos de los mac timeline.
Timetoast Timelines. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/linea-del-tiempo-
sistema-operativos-de-los-mac
