I answer this question with love becaus (tear) I use Linux on my desktop.
Linux is not very popular because it is hard to use for most people and has poor, even non-existant marketing.
Also, Microsoft has agreements with most computer manufacturers to install Windows prior to its sale, so it would require additional knowledge and effort for consumers to pick out a Linux distribution.
In markets other than Desktop PC's, however, Linux is fairly popular. If you own a Tivo, a multimedia device, some cell-phones, and other computerized equipment, it is likely that you are running Linux on those devices. Linux is also 'popular' in server environments because it has excellent server software.
Linux is not very popular on personal computers, but it is on servers because it is free.
I think it should be Linux. Linux is famous for running effectively on powerful computers. It is very customizable and does not crash easily on constant use.
Linxu is just the kernel, but I know what you mean, the most popular GNU/Linux distribution is Ubuntu
Yes. Many popular websites run PHP on Linux.
The jobs ones could have that involve Linux are as diverse as the uses of Linux itself. If you are a computer programmer, you could write drivers for new devices (Linux is very popular in the embedded filed), port commercial games to Linux (like id Software does), or program a database that runs on Linux. If you are more interested in maintenance, you could become the administrator of a web server.
There are many Linux distros. The most popular include; Debian which is 19 years old, Fedora, Ubuntu, Mageia and Mint Linux which uses the Cinnamon desktop interface.
Linux is a very common platform for websites and applications that run them. It is popular because it has a very good track record with security, performs well on almost all types of hardware and workloads, and can be had at a much lower cost than Windows.
Ubuntu is one "flavor" of Linux and one of the most popular variants for beginners.
The most popular and best Linux firewall is Iptables. IPCop, Shorewall, Uncomplicate Firewall, Checkpoint and OpenBSD PF are also on the most popular list.
OpenOffice
One of the most popular Linux games of Trine 2. Another one that is popular is the role playing massively multiplayer game Heroes of Newerth. Another popular one is Xonotic.
Larry the Cow is the unofficial mascot of Gentoo, a semi-popular Linux distribution.