UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Can anyone tell me a good alternative to Windows? OS that can connect to a Windows domain and use for everyday (can use with Oracle). Easy to learn.

Both OS X and Linux fit what you are looking for.

Linux would let you use existing hardware. There are lots of versions to choose from (Ubuntu is good for beginners) and the sheer number of programs available is mind blowing.

OS X requires you to purchase Apple hardware. OS X is far more windows like than Linux (actually, IMHO, OS X is a vast improvement over MS Windows and it does a great disservice to OS X to even compare it to MS windows). You will have MS Office and most of the big commercial software (adobe etc) available to you in OS X.

With both OS's you can either dual boot with MS Windows or run MS Windows virtually (allowing you to run both OS's at the same time). You should also be able to connect to the windows domains without much trouble.


OS X would have the greatest startup cost, but is in may ways (let the flames begin) far superior to Linux for beginners (OS X pretty much has everything you need to start with and it does just work). You (as a novice) can pretty much just startup a Mac and start working. Linux will be more of a learning curve and will come with more frustration.

Both will be more responsive (even on older equipment), at least in my experience, than Vista on newer/newest equipment.

I have been using OS X since 10.0 and running Linux since RH 6.x. I currently run OS X and Ubuntu and love them both for different reasons.

FreeBSD is easy to learn, too.

OK, this thread is on thin ice for Rule #8. Please read the rules. I am locking this thread.

kretara, please be careful when replying to such questions.

genesisX, you can look at any of the major Linux distros or BSD variations if you want to work on existing hardware. As kretara said, OS X will require you to purchase Apple hardware.

i hear many good things about FreeBSD - installed it several times and did nothing with it. everyone else i know that uses FreeBSD is practically religious about it

distrowatch.com is a good place to start poking around what is out there for linux. ubuntu and fedora would be my choices

if you are a purist, try gentoo - i hate/love that flavor. you will happily pull your hair out for months getting it 'just the way you want'