Information Kit: Linux, Unix, and all the little ixes

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June 25, 2003 >> Receive this email as text  >> About this email   In this Issue >> From the Editor: Linux, Unix, and all the little ixes >> Featured Topic: The Unix versus Linux confusion >> Expert Technical Advice: What does a Unix shop need to know about Linux? >> The SCO vs. IBM Suit: A summary  From the Editor: Linux, Unix, and all the little ixes by Jan Stafford Guest Editor, SearchEnterpriseLinux.com The family tree is a bit complicated. The original Unix, the brainchild of Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie, gave birth in turn to many "little" Unixes such as BSD Unix, IBM's AIX, and SCO's Unix, each with its set of proprietary genes as well as the common genes of its parents. Finally, the stork brought Linux (thanks to Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, and others) and left it on the threshold of the Enterprise as an orphan free to be adopted and loved by as many parents as possible. All the other ixes were already owned or adopted including the original "Unix" (whose source code is owned by SCO and whose interface definition and trademark are owned by The Open Group on behalf of the IT industry). So that's what it comes down to: taking care of a child that no one claims ownership of, but that many take care of (Linux) -- or a very nice child that you have to rent (all the other ixes and nixes). Whether or not you think this metaphor is holding up, you may very well be someone that has to decide which child to adopt (or whether to switch the babies!). In the meantime, please think of this information kit as Dr. Spock's manual of child care. Learn more: >> Definition of Unix >> Definition of Linux >> Definition of BSD >> Definition of AIX >> Definition of The Open Group  Featured Topic: The Unix versus Linux Confusion by Amy Kucharik SearchEnterpriseLinux.com Whether you have Unix or Linux and are thinking of switching -- or are coming from another system or to a new product and have the option of one or the other, there is a lot to think about, according to our own experts and some of our readers. On SearchEnterpriseLinux.com, we continue to explore this subject and summarize the latest advice. >> Decision Criteria: Linux Versus Unix >> Researcher: Linux gaining on Unix >> IBM's Stallings hears customers' Linux stories >> Dell coaxing Penguin inside data center >> Exec says Sun is a Linux believer  Expert Technical Advice:What does a Unix shop need to know about Linux? Kenneth Milberg President/Unix Systems Consultant at UNIX Solutions Dear Kenneth, What does a Unix shop need to know about Linux? First, you'll need to understand the history. Most Unix people know the story of Kenneth Thompson and Dennis Ritchie and how they started Unix around the time that we first traveled to the moon. They were trying to get some game-type software ported to a different platform and came up with Unix, a pun on an operating system called Multics. Read more... View Other answers from Kenneth Milberg Ask Kenneth a question  The SCO vs. IBM Suit: A summary SCO's view IBM's view The Open Group's view Linux analysts, users offer varied predictions on SCO suit One-on-one with Richard Stallman (an interview) SCO suit could offer nasty precedents for Linux FREE E-MAIL SERVICES! Select newsletters you would like to receive from the list below. Linux News Unix E-mail    Not a member? We'll activate your membership with your subscription. A B O U T   T H I S   N E W S L E T T E R Contact Information: Lowell Thing, Editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] Margaret Rouse, Associate Editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] Created by TechTarget TechTarget - The Most Targeted IT Media Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved. To unsubscribe from Updates on new site content: >> Simply Reply to this Email with REMOVE within the Body or Subject -OR- >> Go to: http://WhatIs.techtarget.com/register    - Log in to edit your profile.    - Click on the link to Edit email subscriptions.    - Uncheck the box next to the newsletter you wish to unsubscribe from.    - When finished, click "Save Changes to My Profile".