|
|
|
What is Unix?
|
Original Message
|
Name: Richard Davis
Date: January 2, 2001 at 12:11:54 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix?
|
Comment: Hi Everyone, I am a Windows and a Mac user but have never tried Unix. I want to try new OS's just to see what's available. I have tried Linux but found it very complicated to install applications etc. I'm sorry to post such a stupid question but what is Unix?, where can I get it from?, what are the benefits/drawbacks compared to other operating systems. I am assuming that Unix can run on PC hardware. Is this correct? I also\have an old Mac Powerbook so if possible I could use that.
I only use computers at home and I guess you could call me novice. On the Mac forum whenever anyone posts questions comparing operating systems there always seems to be a huge argument between the Mac and Windows camps. I'd just like some unbiased advice. Thanks for you help.
Rich
Report Offensive Message For Removal
|
|
Response Number 1
|
Name: Nick
Date: January 4, 2001 at 10:09:47 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix? |
Reply: (edit)Robbo, Please. Windows as the best OS? Give me break. Unix has processes running as services outside of the OS and allows you to SIGHUP or even kill the process without rebooting your computer or changing anything. Does Windows? No. UNIX allows you to SIGHUP your NIC card so it comes right back up... windows? - Hardly UNIX allows you Remotly detect and trouble shoot issues with no additional software.. windows.. Doesn't compare. UNIX -- Lets say your boss has told you that on all documents in the past 5 years the words "The XXXX Corporation" need to be remove and replaced with "The YYYYY Corporation". Unix - a 6 line script. Windows - Ha! StarOffice - Unix = Free Microsoft Office - over $100. -------------------------- Another example: You are browsing the MSN.com website and their freindly little java scripts hang your browser causing to garble up CPU and bring your desktop to a halt. Window : Ctrl+Alt+Delete. And hope you can "End Task" (Time 20 Seconds) and even if you do this, it does not really "re-start" it just launches again. (re-boot) - This happens requently with Netscape 4.72+ on 98 or above. UNIX : Kill the process and restart. No problems. total time 10 seconds A massive Email virus is spreading like wildfire... Destroying desktops and valuable data.. Microsoft. - your screwed . Don't open the file. UNIX. Nadda. Your fine.
Don't get me wrong. MSFT has its uses. IT makes Great file servers and cheap desktops. But as for the "better" OS there really is no comparison.
 Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
Response Number 2
|
Name: Ryan Cooley
Date: January 5, 2001 at 00:57:48 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix?
|
Reply: (edit)Unix was born in 1969 and ran on PDP
mainfraims. Unless you have an old PDP
mainfraim lying around taking up a couple
rooms of your house you won't be running
UNIX. BUT, Unix was so popular, that several
CLONES of unix were made, SCO, BSD, HP-UX,
AIX, SGI, etc. and recently LINUX came
around. LINUX is only the KERNEL, the rest
of the programs came from other people...
Mainly GNU.org. Other UNIXes usually don't use GNU programs.
Each type of Unix has it's own programs, but
they all work basically the same.
Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
Response Number 3
|
Name: Nick
Date: January 5, 2001 at 07:19:26 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix? |
Reply: (edit)Ryan,
GNU tools and utilities is used alot. Acutally some of the Berkley commands I use more frequently than other "Flavors" of unix. For example SunOS (Solaris) their 'ps' command does not support a long process name print command where Berkley's does. As someone who was used both, I like Unix for what it is. I don't like Linux for what it is not. And it is not Unix. They share some very similar core designs and both will be around for a long time. Linux by far is the better OS for a desktop. But remember most of the software developed to run on Linux can run on just about any flavor of UNIX. Whether it be AIX, HP-UX, Solaris and so on..
Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
Response Number 4
|
Name: Ryan Cooley
Date: January 6, 2001 at 04:50:53 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix?
|
Reply: (edit)Why am I getting lectured here? I know what Linux is, I know what GNU is, I know what BSD is. What is your point? You don't like Linux because it's not Unix.. Well it is a linux clone as is BSD, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, etc. In fact I doubt you have ever used true UNIX. So why don't you just say what it is that you don't like about Linux, or whatever OS, instead of saying 'I just don't like it'
Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
Response Number 5
|
Name: Gardner
Date: January 10, 2001 at 23:29:49 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix?
|
Reply: (edit)I am relatively good at Windows98 and decided to
purchase FreeBSD. I used PartitionMagic to divide
my HD into a 3 Gig "C" drive for Win98 and now
have a 3 Gig "D" ready for BSD. I also installed a
bootmanager to allow me the choice of OS's.
Problem: I insert the CD-ROM and nothing happens.
The 800-page manual that assures "easy
installation" is Greek and of little help. Can
anyone help me alittle further along?
Thanks in advance! Gardner
Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
Response Number 6
|
Name: WCS
Date: January 25, 2001 at 08:06:02 Pacific
Subject: What is Unix?
|
Reply: (edit)As Nick said, Unix is a much more powerful, dependable, and useful OS. Linux may have seemed a pain to you, because you are use to the GUI world of Windows. Image all the times you wanted to do something in a GUI in Windows and were not able to, well in Unix and Linux you can do all that from command line. Due to the flexibility and dependabilty of Unix and Linux...you will see a major portion of the web industry and for large companies with large networks, using this over Windows or Novell. I'm a user of all the OSs but have always went back to Unix as my favorite. As far as Unix at home...you don't have to just go with Linux or Solaris x86...Sun is really starting to drop prices and you can pick up used equipment pretty cheap. I'm running a couple of PC at home and a Sun Sparc 10 with Solaris7 and a SunLX with Red Hat on it. Also have a Sun 600MP that I'll be doing something with soon. Don't limit yourself to one OS...the industry is a mixture of OSs so learn them all.
Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal
|
|
|
Use following form to reply to current message:
|
|
|
