[zipper1958]

Hi, i need to install ( Unix ) for school and here is the course description:: ................
((Unix® Operating system will teach you how to use UNIX operating system and introduce you to the Common Desktop Environment (CDE). The class is for new users of the UNIX environment and CDE. You will learn fundamental command-line features of the UNIX environment including file system navigation, file permissions, the vi text editor, command shells, and basic network use. CDE features include Applications Manager, Text Editor, printing, and mail.))

Ok, i am not that familiar with unix and where to download what. I have an old computer with win xp on , now i don't know if i should download and have xp and unix on same computer, or vurtual stuff where i can have unix and xp on same computer....or delete xp and have just unix, any suggestions would be great, i really need a {LINK} where to download (UNIX) as i am not sure the difference between unix and linux and i want to make sure im downloading the right thing for class LOL !!!
My computer
Compaq
Win xp Home Edition
Sevice Pack 2
x86 based AmD 1999mhz
system 32
NTFS
32 GIG
256mb Thanks in Advance for any insight !!

[durant125]

Unix is very similar to Linux. I would ask the professor if it is alright to install a Linux distribution. Linux is FREE and Unix from what I know you have to pay for.

Now, about installing it to your XP machine. A couple questions. Are you using this PC for anything? How adventurous are you? Do you have the XP installation or recovery cds?
Linux or Unix is a totally different world than Windows, so navigating around the OS (operating system) will not be the same. There are very user friendly Linux distributions (Ubuntu, OpenSUSE are 2 I know of) but doing more than browsing the web or printing a word document you are bound to run into something new you'll have to learn.

To play it safe I would download a live(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_CD) version of Linux on cd and go from there.

[zipper1958]

Nope an old pc i don't have anything on it i care about. It already has a restore partition on it, but if that gets wiped out i do have the installation cd for xp. Ok thanks i will try that and see what happenes, i was thinking of trying virtual something and then loading the unix on it So i could just do a live cd and i could use that to practice what ever i need to for class !! The live cd is actually the whole linux/unix op on an image file, is this correct. Than you very much for your help !! Jeff

[TerryNet]

I agree with the above suggestion to double check on what you need on your computer. Pretty much any Linux distribution would be suitable I think to practice commands, vi, etc. Just a question of which will run in 256 MB RAM and have the applications you need. Xubuntu may be a good choice. Or you could try the Alternate install CD of Ubuntu.

I'm having difficulty believing that students are expected to actually have Unix on their own computers.

[RootbeaR]

With only 32 GB, I'd wipe XP or get another HD.

As to which distro, if Linux is allowed:
...give a man Slackware, and he'll learn Linux.
http://forums.techguy.org/unix-linux...made-easy.html

[lotuseclat79]

FreeBSD, from The Live CD List is available, and probably advisable since the kernel internals of Linux are now different from Unix, especially in the Scheduling of processes/threads area, and file systems.

Wikipedia reference to UNIX.

-- Tom

[TerryNet]

The class is for new users of the UNIX environment and CDE.

To me that means a terminal window is needed. But don't need to know much about Unix/Linux internal details. Slackware and FreeBSD are fine ideas, but I question their need and appropriateness for zipper1958's stated need.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi TerryNet,

Whatever questions you have,
1. Both Slackware and FreeBSD are derived from Unix, so the same Unix-like behavior is there from a terminal window (i.e. command line point of view).
2. Either is appropriate to the need stated. Certainly, a Windows terminal window is not appropriate, and if Slackware and FreeBSD are not, then what?

-- Tom

[TerryNet]

Hi Tom,

I meant that pretty much any Linux distribution should be sufficient for new users to learn and practice commands, use of vi, etc. And a simpler distro is probably much better. (Especially with 256 MB RAM.)

Other quotes from the Slackware page (I know you didn't introduce that one) include:

"Slackware has steadfastly remained a non-newbie distro."
"Slackware users are expected to have a fair grounding in the command line and editing configuration files ..."
"So Slackware doesn't try to be the best pond for Linux toe-dipping;"

I think that Slackware and FreeBSD are fantastic recommendations for anyone who already has some Unix/Linux experience and wants to really get into it. But not for new users.
Terry

[RootbeaR]

Personally, I think we need more input.

Is this a class they are already in?

Is this over and above class work?

Is it an on-line course?

I am sure the professor is going to want everyone on the same page so I doubt that everyone comes in with their own OS.

[Cappi]

Centos a derivative of RedHat could be a good choice for Linux. It has a nice GUI and allows for command line. You can download a Live CD or you can download and install it on an older computer. I'm running it on an older IBM ThinkCentre with 512k of memory and a 40 gig HD. You can find it at http://www.centos.org

[downtime]

If it strictly has to be unix, try opensolaris.
http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/