[scorwitz]

Hello all,

I have an old PC and I'd like to use it to test out Ubuntu and learn my way around a more NON-point-and-click interface.

My question is a broad one. I believe Linux is related to or derived from UNIX, but if I learn Linux with I also be learning UNIX? Let's say a couple of years from now, I'm pretty good with one or more Linux distributions. Does that mean that UNIX will be under my belt as well or will I have a new language to learn?

This begs the question. . . is UNIX a programming language or just a way to navigate around the computer?

Thank you

[lotuseclat79]

Hi scorwitz,

As an OS, Unix has been around since 1969-1970, or thereabouts out of AT&T Research at Bell Labs. It is very stable. Since, many variants of Unix have existed. It has never had a very good GUI interface, and is very secure in FreeBSD. It is mostly used from the command line interface.

Linux is a Unix-like OS, but more of a derived work, and it refers to the kernel only. Most of the Linux distributions have a set of commands wrapped around them via Gnu/Linux.

They both are different in filesystems, performance, security - all better than Windows.

Unix is not a programming language, it is an OS that uses a command line interface for the User Interface - and yes, it is a way to navigate around the computer which is easy if you learn it, and much more powerful than a GUI which usually only gives limited control.

The commands are mostly nearly the same, so if you learn how to navigate at the command line interface level in Linux, you should be all set to pick up a Unix system and feel right at home. Yes you will have to learn some commands, but you've already guessed that anyway, eh?

-- Tom

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by scorwitz

I have an old PC and I'd like to use it to test out Ubuntu and learn my way around a more NON-point-and-click interface.

Personally, I would choose Slackware for this but any Linux distro will do.

As for your other question, yes some and possibly most of what you learn on Linux will apply to other Unix systems. If you have access to tools you will use on Linux on other Unix platforms, more of the commands you'll learn will still work, etc.

Some commands will behave a bit differently on different Unix systems but most of the general concepts will be very similar, if not the exact same. Linux is a multi-tasking, mult-user system like other Unix systems and as such it implements the same concepts and philosophy.

Peace...

[scorwitz]

Thank you both. This makes sense. I have some very basic navigation knowledge in UNIX so it won't be brand new, it's just been a while.

Why Slackware instead of Ubuntu? It seems like everyone likes their own distribution.

One of the reasons I was going with Ubuntu, aside from it's popularity and mass support online, is because I'm "attending" an online podcast course from Harvard - www.computerscience50.org - where the next project is to start learning the basics of Programming in C.

The students registered at Harvard have access to a Linux cluster running Ubuntu where they have space for their programs. My plan is to try and keep my experience as similar to theirs as I can (considering I don't have a user account at Harvard, I thought this was the best way). I get the added bonus of learning to navigate Linux too!

Thanks all!

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by scorwitz

Why Slackware instead of Ubuntu? It seems like everyone likes their own distribution.

Traditionally, Slackware has been a distro where you had to build most of the apps you installed from source vs installing from pre-built packages. These days Slackware might have more of a "pre-built" package model in practice but I'm not sure.

Also, Slackware has had a reputation for being more "Unix-like" in its filesystem layout than other distros, but that might have changed as well.

Peace...

[diablo75]

If your serious about learning UNIX/Linux commands, you should be willing to try many different distros side by side. Perhaps you could make use of VMware Server to do this (I do, and it's very convenient).

And if you're going to be learning programing (you mentioned C) be sure to get something else in along side it, like Python. It is an excellent language for beginners. Google "A byte of Python" to start learning. After you get Ubuntu installed, you can use Gnome Text Editor (the default text editor) to program, and use it to filter what you type so that your text changes color based on what your writing, and there are filters for MANY different languages.

Good Luck!

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by diablo75

If your serious about learning UNIX/Linux commands, you should be willing to try many different distros side by side. Perhaps you could make use of VMware Server to do this (I do, and it's very convenient).

I dunno, the differences will mainly be in apps packaged with the distro vs differences in the "core" system. I mean "ls" is "ls" on any Unix/Linux system.

After you get Ubuntu installed, you can use Gnome Text Editor (the default text editor) to program, and use it to filter what you type so that your text changes color based on what your writing, and there are filters for MANY different languages

Wouldn't vi be more appropriate? I mean scorwitz is looking to spend time in a non-GUI environment.

Peace...