Hi all,
I don't know the first thing about Unix, but I would like to learn.
I would like to know what the difference between Linux and Unix is, and where I can obtain a copy of either.
Thanks
:o
Unix is a term generally used to refer to any of a number of operating Systems which share similar characteristics. There are many versions of Unix put out by many different vendors: IBM has AIX, Sun has Solaris, Data General has DG/UX, Hewlett Packard has HP-UX, etc. IIRC, the word "Unix" is technically a trademark, and so can only be legally applied to certain approved vendors (all of the above qualify, I believe) -- however, in general conversation it is used to mean just about any Unix-like operating system. Linux is another one of these Unix-like OS's.
Check this section of the FAQ: http://www.unix.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26
for info on where to obtain Linux.
Thanks a lot. that's very helpfull.
So is linux the most popular?
Linux is probably the most popular choice for Intel based machines. Before Linux came along, Unix was mostly limited to heavy-duty hardware such as the Sun sparc, HP PA-Risc, etc. Thats why there are so many version of Unix -- each vendor put out a flavor for their particular hardware platform. Linux has helped bring Unix to the masses by popularizing the OS on an Intel platform. Minix (and BSD?) were available on Intel before Linux, but are less popular choices.
Many corporations whose businesses rely on their Unix servers need the power and performance of the more powerful chips from Sun, HP, IBM, etc, so those versions are still dominant in most industries.
Linux Torvalds from Finland started a small project as a hobby to build a free UNIX compitable OS, At the beginning he called his OS minix.
So this is how the OS wich later got the name Linux started.
You can't say that Linux is UNIX bekause UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T, and Linux is not UNIX licensed.
There is a big difference between Linux and UNIX, wich is that linux and almost all the software it comes with is OpenSource and licensed under GNU/GPL.
This mean that you have access to the source code and can make any changes you want and redistribuite it, but you can not sell the software.
Linux is OpenSource , UNIX is closed source and in most cases not free for download. But now Sun has made their UNIX os Solaris 8 free for download.
Ummm...no. Linus created his OS (originally caleld Freax, then renamed Linux) because he was dissatisfied with Minix, which was written (and is still maintained) by Andrew Tanenbaum. Minix != Linux. Minix is a micro-kernel based system, while Linux uses a monolithic design. There is a classic series of usenet postings between Linus and Tanenbaum that occured early in the development of Linux. An early Linux flame-war I guess: http://www.dina.dk/~abraham/Linus\_vs_Tanenbaum.html
If I wanted to install Linux, what do I start with? do I need a machine formated with DOS so that I can install like this:
a:\install.exe
Forgive me, but I'm comming from the DOS/Windows world.
You need a dedicated hard-drive (or a spare partition on an existing drive). Once you buy/download Linux, follow the install instructions which usually include booting from the CD or floppy disk...that will start the install process. Follow the on-screen prompts from there.
You may have paid money to get copies of GNU software, or you may have obtained copies at no charge. But regardless of how you got your copies, you always have the freedom to copy and change the software, even to sell copies.