UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I'd like to become a web applications developer, and the company I currently work for use Sun/Apache and Perl, CGI and Python and Oracle to develop in (which is a little unfortunate for me as I have MS IIS and ASP/VBScript and SQL from my last job).

I have an old laptop I'd like to convert from Win98 to unix. Is there anywhere that can talk me through what I'd need to do to switch over? I have a small HD so I don't think it would be good to run both OSes.

Should I use the same Sun OS as my employer, or will I be learning the same things if I use a Linux platform like redhat?

Is Oracle personal edition the right thing to get? Its £244, so its not something I'd do lightly.

TIA,
Dawn

I would recommend Linux instead of solaris for x86. Its almost the same from a webdevelopers standpoint if you use the apache webserver and perl, oracle.

Then if you plan to install oracle you better have A LOT of RAM in your laptop I think Oracle 9i requires more than 256 MB to even install on linux.

Check the oracle website if you can download oracle for testing purposes (Maybe a oracle expert can fill in????) I think that personal edition is not what you are looking for.. But im not sure

/Peter

here is a linux os that will work on a 386sx and has a gui and windows frienly! lycoris xl
you can download it from www.linuxiso.org
you only need the 1st iso or disk
the other are for devlopment windows friendly has wine built in to it just click on the windows flag and it will work i have it works good if you do not have high speed internet then you can order form frys computer store it is about 30$ comes with open office and koffice and so on and updates are very easy on click does it all