UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I want a cheap dedicated machine to install a flavour of unix on and try to learn this OS.

I know nothing about unix, just gone out and bought some books etc.

Should I just get the cheapest old laptop off Ebay to install it on?

What type of unix OS should I install?...a version of Solaris or a version of Linux?...

I just want to know where is best to start!

Thankyou.

Get a cheap x86 (ie. Intel/AMD) PC, whereever from and download some Linux, maybe Ubuntu. Laptops sometimes have exotic hardware - if a box is ok, take a PC instead of a notebook. Might be cheaper too.

Edit:
Sometimes companies throw out a lot of still working PCs, monitors, printers etc. and give them away to disposal/recycling companies. Maybe have a look there too.

Thanks for that Zaxxon, so would you recommend Ubuntu as a good starter platform?

Really is there a great variation between all these different 'flavours' of Unix from Solaris to Redhat etc?..are the commands basically the same?

One way that I've gained hardware is by the "company is going to trash it" venue and also if anyone in your family's getting a new pc or laptop for Christmas see if you can score the old one.

I'd try a bunch of different distros but yes the basic commands are the same. As far as ease of installation, for me, Ubuntu was the best. That's what I run everyday now.

Cheers, I have sourced a cheap Thinkpad with xp on it, i dont need dual OS so will having installed Ubunto will it clear xp off or will it remain in the background?...I mean when you boot up which system will it boot from?

If you have an unallocated partition on the disk, Ubuntu will install itself there and install the GRUB boot manager and let you keep both. If the entire disk is already allocated to XP, you can use several tools (Linux based of course) and boot them and manage the size yourself. That's what I did with a tool called Gparted.