This lead to using a zimage from the Didj to boot the Linux kernel. So far the process halts at a kernel panic, but that’s because he hasn’t built the image with a file system for the device yet.

Brian's Own Embedded Linux, or BOEL as it is affectionately known, was created as part of the SystemImager Project. SystemImager is a tool used for, well, imaging systems and distributing live updates ...

That last line would be the last line printed by the kernel during normal bootup, after that, it handes control off to init to let finish the booting process.

Besides disabling the Windows 8 secure boot process, another option for Linux lovers is installing a signed version of Linux. But “this poses several problems,” Garrett notes.

Understanding the Linux boot process was crucial. Essentially the way it works is the firmware (BIOS/UEFI) loads a bootloader, which then starts the kernel.

With Windows 10 going away soon, many of us are considering jumping ship to Linux. Thankfully, you don't have to ditch Windows entirely to start using Linux; running two OSes is easier than you think.