UNIX and Linux

UNIX

         UNIX (pronounced YOU-nix) is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs (a subsidiary of AT&T) was prohibited from actively promoting UNIX in the commercial marketplace because of federal regulations. Bell Labs instead licensed UNIX for a low fee to numerous college and universities, where UNIX obtained a wide following. UNIX was implemented on many different types of computers. After deregulation of telephone companies in the 1980s, UNIX was licensed to many hardware and software companies.

         Several versions of this operating system exist, each slightly different. When programmers move application software from one UNIX version to another, they sometimes have to rewrite some of the program. Although some versions of UNIX have a command-line interface, most versions of UNIX offer a graphical user interface.

         Today, a versions of UNIX is available for most computers of all sizes. Power users often work with UNIX because of its flexibility and power. Manufacturers such as Sun and IBM sell personal computers and workstation with a UNIX operating system.

Linux

Linux Ubuntu

         Linux is one of the faster growing operating system. Linux (pronounced LINN-uks), introduced in 1991, is a popular multitasking UNIX-type operating system. In addition to the basic operating system, Linux also include many programming languages and utility programs.

         Linux is not proprietary software like the operating system discussed thus far. Instead, Linux is open source software, which means its code is provide for use, modification, and redistribution. It has no restrictions from copyright holder regarding modification of the software. Many programmers have donated time to modify and redistribute Linux to make it the best possible version of UNIX. Promoters of open source software state two main advantage: users who modify the software share their improvements with others, and costumers can personalize the software to meet their needs.

         Linux is available in variety of forms, known as distributions. Some distributions of Linux are command-line. Other are GUI. The two most popular GUIs available for Linux are GNOME and KDE. Some companies such as Red Hat market software that runs on their own distribution of Linux. Many application program, utilities, and plug-ins have Linux distributions, including OpenOffice.org, StarOffice, Mozilla, Netscape, Yahoo! Messenger, RealPlayer, QuickTime, and Acrobat Reader.

         Users obtained Linux in a variety of ways. Some download it free from the Web. Other purchase it from vendors such as Red Hat or IBM, who bundle their own software with the operating system. Linux optical discs are included in many Linux books and also are available for purchase from vendors. Some retailers such as Dell will preinstall Linux on a new computer’s hard disk on request. If you want to preview the Linux operating system, you can obtain a Live CD or Live USB.