Linux - Unix - X

[J@mes]

Does anybody know where i can get command line based Linux Unix And X for windows? as i'm using a version called solaris at my uni (i think)

[Simetrical]

Okay, a few issues here. Linux, Unix, and X are totally different things, and I'll explain that first.

Unix was a label originally applied to an operating system devised by employees of Bell Labs back in the 1970s. Later, many other operating systems developed that mimic Unix, so that programs written for Unix can generally run on any "Unix-like" operating system. Linux is one Unix-like operating system; Solaris is a different one; still others include various BSD variants, Minix, etc. (there are dozens). The best-known Unix-like operating system is probably Mac OS X. Windows is not a Unix-like operating system, but some versions include a Unix compatibility layer that theoretically allow it to run Unix programs.

The X Window System is the standard protocol used for creating a graphical user interface for Unix-like systems. (The original Unix was, of course, accessed using a command line.) Linux, BSD, Solaris, and most other standard Unix-like systems use X; Mac does not, and nor does Windows. Generally, whether you're using X depends on what operating system you use. X is a low-level protocol, and does not specify anything like icons or behavior: it just gives a standardized way for these to be displayed by a higher-level "window manager" program like GNOME or KDE.

In light of all this, there is no such thing as Linux or Unix "for Windows". If you install a Unix-like operating system, you will have to run it separately from Windows, either using a dual-boot configuration or virtualization or a separate computer. This is exactly like someone who wants to run both Windows and Mac on the same computer. You can run X on Windows using programs such as Cygwin.

If you would like to download Linux for your home computer, it's free unless you want paid support, and you have many choices. The usual recommendation for people new to Linux is Ubuntu, which I use (I don't use Windows on my computer). Solaris also appears to be free and open-source at this point, at least mostly; you can get a copy here. It's kind of a hassle to install a new operating system, so you might not actually want to do it if you plan on still using Windows for most of your programs.

Some Wikipedia articles: Unix, Linux, X Window System, Solaris, Cygwin.

[Freddie]

Simetrical, I've looked at a couple of Linux OS's recently (I’ve tried one before but I couldn't get on with it), what do you make of Linspire? It looks the most user friendly of all the Linux builds out there.

[Simetrical]

Simetrical, I've looked at a couple of Linux OS's recently (I’ve tried one before but I couldn't get on with it), what do you make of Linspire? It looks the most user friendly of all the Linux builds out there.

I would suggest you just use Ubuntu. I promise you, it's extremely user-friendly, and it's free. I can't see anything that Linspire offers that's particularly better than Ubuntu, other than packaging some proprietary stuff by default rather than requiring a couple of extra three-click downloads.

I'll take the time to demolish a few of their absurd claims about other Linux variants. Ubuntu booted up instantly from the LiveCD and installed without a hitch, all through GUIs. CNR is based on Debian's APT, equivalents of which are used by all Linux software, and all of which (with GUI front-ends) allow finding and installing software with a few clicks. Not "Almost all other Linux operating systems are designed for servers" by any means: many Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu Desktop, are for desktops. "Most Linux products come on several CDs and can take hours to install" is again ridiculously outdated, with Ubuntu burning to one CD that takes as much time to install as it takes to copy some files to the hard disk and reboot, with no overly technical questions other than maybe partitioning. Automatic updating is provided by all package managers, in all Linux distributions. GNOME and KDE are similar enough to standard interfaces for any desktop user to be immediately comfortable with them.

Seriously, just get Ubuntu. You'll get much better support anyway, due to its installation base. And it doesn't try to make you pay $50 for what you can get for free.

Not that any of this is on-topic.