Monday, January 14, 2013

What are the differences between UNIX and Linux, and what about all those choices within Linux?

Q. What are the operational differences between Linux and UNIX? Why would a programmer choose one over the other? What about software selection and ease of programming (with already basic knowledge of programming, and wanting to dive in to open source)?

In terms of Linux, what makes things like Red Hat cost money and things like Ubuntu not? Is pay-for OS based on Linux better quality than freely distributed OS? What is the best choice for Linux-or-Unix OS for a budding programmer?

A. What is Linux
http://www.linux.org/info/

What is UNIX
http://www.unix.org/what_is_unix.html

Why Linux is Better
http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

Linux is open source therefore in most cases free of charge with the exception of enterprise releases such as SUSE Linux and Red Hat
http://www.novell.com/linux/
http://www.redhat.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_software

What is Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you'll always have the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu

Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux

Option One (Full installation)

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled

Linux Mint 8 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44

The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena

Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide

You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation

Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive

Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)

Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi

You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.

Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.

Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.

Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu

Ubuntu 9.10 Download
http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10/

Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic

Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (XP and Vista only)
http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/

Linux Mint 7 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38

Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide

Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive

At present I do not recommend Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9 owing to multiple stability issues

Option Three (LiveCD)

Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
http://distrowatch.com/

Major Linux Distributions
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major


LUg.

How different is a Linux network compared to a Unix network?
Q. How different is a Linux network compared to a Unix network? I understand a Unix network has mainframes, etc.

What are the things a Unix network has but a Linux network does not have and can never have?

A. Uhm... nooo.... Unix networking has about zero to do with mainframes.

Actually, Unix networking and Linux networking are pretty darned close with little or no exceptions.

Where are you getting your information from? Where ever it is, its bad information. Don't go there any more.

Which is the smallest Unix operating system and how do I download it?
Q. I just want to practice Unix commands and start learning shell scripting and what is kernel. Cold you tell me the earliest and/or the smallest version of Unix, I Don't need Graphical User interface for the time being. I need the Unix to be the smallest to be practiced in with smallest space required for RAM and Hard disk.
Thanks Martino I will try that but could you tell me any version of Unix that is of the size about 2 MB like MS Dos.

A. You could try Minix 2.0, which is available in floppy disk images for 8088 or 80386, or Cygwin, which is a Unix-like shell environment for Windows.




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