UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi.

I'm a Newbie! I have never used a Unix OS but now I need to get it and learn it. I have just one PC with Windows 2000 Server running on it. Is it then possible to install Unix too and emulate it or something like this? What Unix is the best and which is free (IBM AIX?).

Thank You very much, I'll apreciate your replies!

You may try it out Linux, nothing to be said as Free in terms of $$ but free in terms of Binary or source code is Yes. You can purchase outside. Partition and Install Linux. Linux mightbe usefull for begginers. Give a try.

Thank You.
One Year ago I had Linux working on my machine beside Win 2000 Server, but I guess it is too simular to Windows, isn't it.
Unix is more different, I think!-true?
By the way: Does Unix has more apps and utilitys to work with? I want to work with Linux / Unix for Network Programming. Do You think Linux is enough?

thx

Check out the info on Linux - it's a different type of UNIX - don't think that it's a windows only OS - yes, there are GUIs in it along with most UNIX platforms - but there is also command line. The biggest benefits - you can, if you want, create your own programs, scripts, device drivers, system - it's usually multitasking unlike Windows which did not (I gave up on Bill along time ago - has he changed?). Linux was created only a short time ago.

From freeos.com

Linux is a Unix clone written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net. It aims towards POSIX compliance. It has all the features you would expect in a modern fully-fledged Unix, including true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, shared copy-on-write executables, proper memory management and TCP/IP networking.

Yes, but it deppends on what sort of Usage are you planing for. I believe Linux can do similar as every other variant of Unixes. If you plan on something for a Server type for Networking and More Multitasking (Depend on your Hardware) then go for Solaris or HP-UX. Anyhow all these OS are common with each other. Which means you wont have trouble to get for Network Proggraming Etc. Give a try from scratch with Linux for Example.

Ok, thank You again!

So, I'll start with Linux.

Being in the same situation as your self three years ago. I bought the Redhat Linux package. This package is great it shows you how to partition your hard drive and install without all the aggravation.

Later I put a boot script to pick which O/S I wanted at startup:

*Windows
*Linux

Linux Redhat was also a great starter for learning Unix. I have just recently purchased a Solaris. I now have the two networked. If you want to learn networking, I suggest you start out as I did. First go with Linux and then get another better machine (more money).