2007-03-02 01:13:32 · 4 answers · asked by savi 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
who wouldn't want a pengiuin as a logo
2007-03-02 01:20:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The concept of the Linux mascot being a penguin came from Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux. Tux was created by Larry Ewing in 1996 after an initial suggestion made by Alan Cox [1] and further refined by Linus Torvalds on the Linux kernel mailing list [2]. The first person to call the penguin "Tux" was James Hughes who said that it stood for "(T)orvalds (U)ni(X)"[sic].
Tux was designed for a Linux logo contest. Confusingly, there were actually three separate contests and Tux didn't win any of them. This is why Tux is formally known as the Linux mascot and not the logo. Pictures of some of the other contestants can be found here. Tux was created by Larry Ewing using GIMP (a free software graphics package) and was released by him under the following condition:
Permission to use and/or modify this image is granted provided you acknowledge me lewing@isc.tamu.edu and The GIMP if someone asks. [3]
According to Jeff Ayers, Linus Torvalds had a "fixation for flightless, fat waterfowl" and Torvalds claims to have contracted "penguinitis" after being gently nibbled by a penguin: "Penguinitis makes you stay awake at nights just thinking about penguins and feeling great love towards them." Torvalds' supposed illness is of course a joke, but he really was bitten by a Little Penguin on a visit to Canberra, Australia [4]. Torvalds was looking for something fun and sympathetic to associate with Linux, and a slightly fat penguin sitting down after having had a great meal perfectly fit the bill.
Tux has become iconic for the Linux and free software community, with one British Linux user group adopting a live Black-Footed (Jackass) penguin at Bristol Zoo on the occasion of Linus Torvalds' birthday.
This is a direct quote from the wikipedia
2007-03-02 09:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by treisigbob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In 1996 on the linux-kernel mailing list a discussion started about OS logos and creating one for Linux.
After some debate Linus Torvalds chimed in and mentioned he was fond of penguins. In deference to the founder, a competition started with people creating penguin logos.
One of the contenders was a penguin holding up the world, which prompted another (now famous) response from Linus:
" Anyway, this one looks like the poor penguin is not really strong enough to hold up the world, and it's going to get squashed. Not a good, positive logo, in that respect..
Now, when you think about penguins, first take a deep calming breath, and then think "cuddly". Take another breath, and think "cute". Go back to "cuddly" for a while (and go on breathing), then think "contented".
Now, with penguins, (cuddly such), "contented" means it has either just gotten laid, or it's stuffed on herring. Take it from me, I'm an expert on penguins, those are really the only two options.
2007-03-02 09:20:03 · answer #3 · answered by Vegan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it is his logo
2007-03-02 09:15:44 · answer #4 · answered by Luchmun M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋