Linux vs OS X


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If I understand correctly, Linux and OS X are both based off the same OS: Unix. How similar are Linux & OS X? How are they different?

Macs are popular because they're easy to use. Are there any Linux distributions similar to OS X?

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but out of the funny stuff, the only distribution of linux that is easy for the newbie is Ubuntu, not beautiful as OS X but easy to use and easy to install and uninstall software.

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I'm confused :laugh:

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but out of the funny stuff, the only distribution of linux that is easy for the newbie is Ubuntu, not beautiful as OS X but easy to use and easy to install and uninstall software.

Fedora is up there as well, but yes, Ubuntu's installation is as easy as Windows (maybe even easier? :o )

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If I understand correctly, Linux and OS X are both based off the same OS: Unix. How similar are Linux & OS X? How are they different?

Macs are popular because they're easy to use. Are there any Linux distributions similar to OS X?

OSX's kernel is based off a BSD kernel, which is a derivative of UNIX.

Linux is derived from minix, but is UNIX-like.

Kernel-wise, Linux and OSX are extremely different. Userland is a bit different because many, if not most, of Linux userland works perfectly well in BSD land, but not vice versa. If you really want the history just read the Wikipedia articles for Minix, Linux, Darwin, and OSX. Reading up on FreeBSD and UNIX wouldn't hurt either.

If you want a similar interface to OSX, use a Gnome-based distribution such as Ubuntu. If you want similar kernel (and maybe userland...), see FreeBSD.

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If you want similar kernel (and maybe userland...), see FreeBSD.

The only problem with FreeBSD is that you need to be a nerd in Unix to work with this OS.

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While some may discuss the technical aspects, I like the customizability of Linux. While the OSX desktop looks very nice, I prefer fluxbox. I like actually owning my PC and having full rights over the software on it. Linux just fits me well. (Y)

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The only problem with FreeBSD is that you need to be a nerd in Unix to work with this OS.

Not necessarily. PC-BSD and DesktopBSD have made good inroads on simplifying FreeBSD. But I suppose that depends on how much you want to with the system.

www.pcbsd.org

www.desktopbsd.net

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Not very. Ubuntu is more comparable to Windows I would say than OS X.

how so? I think its very mac os like! much more customizable though!

ubuntu is unix made easy to use.... but its still to hard to use as a home working OS in my opinion. I find myself always messing around and breaking stuff with ubuntu just because of the drivers and updates but ubuntu is getting there (and ive used most distros like gentoo and stuff having to build them from scratch).

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Ubuntu's installation is as easy as Windows (maybe even easier? :o )

What do you mean even easier? Windows installation is hard... Ubuntu's is ridiculously easy in comparison and you have a fully functioning Live CD to play with (browse the web etc.) while it is installing.

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how so? I think its very mac os like! much more customizable though!

Differences in the general UI, workflow, and applications.

There is a standard menubar always on the top of the desktop rather than integrated ones within each application. Keyboard shortcuts are mainly done with CMD rather than CTRL. Instead of a taskbar, you use a dock which does more than act as an application launcher/switcher. (application user feedback and also application commands. see here). There's also no 'start' menu like in Windows/Ubuntu. The three buttons on the top left of windows are different from what many Windows/Ubuntu users make them out to be as well. It's just a lot of various little things which make it different from OS X but more similar to the Windows environment.

I'd say the largest reason I and many others use OS X are for the software though. Adium, Spotlight, Colloquy, Mail, iWork, Keychain, Candybar, Textmate, Time Machine, Quicksilver, SchoolhouseAwaken, Photoshop/Lightroom, Pixelmator, and Dashboard I use far too much in my daily routine to give up. Be aware though that OS X does have an X Windows server to build and run Unix programs. Take a look at MacPorts as well which is a nice project to install many open source software.

It's all preferential really. You should work with what you're most comfortable with or what you want/need. There's no overall best operating system, only the best operating system for you. That's why I always encourage an open mind to try them all out and see what works for you.

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I use Fedora here tried all popular distros but i am settled on fedora past years now (except the rare time i used Opensuse 10 when beryl was released etc)

I think fedora is real close on confort level , specially cause i am used to Redhat-config-tools which makes life easy as anything :) and if you dig in Desktop screenshot section , you will know what GUI WM i try to copy to make it feel like :).

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but out of the funny stuff, the only distribution of linux that is easy for the newbie is Ubuntu, not beautiful as OS X but easy to use and easy to install and uninstall software.

Ubuntu can be easily made to look and act exactly like OS X.

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