Windows/Mac/Linux.

[Elektrolurch]

Does anyone know how I can learn the basic unix-terminal commands? I want to learn EVERYTHING about the Linux distributions.. And then kick Vista off my PC.. There are loads of differend versions. GNU, Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE ... ?!? What are they exactly?

[bommel]

Does anyone know how I can learn the basic unix-terminal commands? I want to learn EVERYTHING about the Linux distributions.. And then kick Vista off my PC.. There are loads of differend versions. Sybian, GNU, Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE ... ?!? What are they exactly?

First of all, learning everything is much more than necessary xD

Debian, Ubuntu, openSUSE,... are all Linux distributions. Linux for itself is just the kernel. A distribution bundles it with lots of software and often an easy installer etc (very raw description).

[Kemaweyan]

Does anyone know how I can learn the basic unix-terminal commands?

Open the book and just learn Try it you can everywhere... Difference is only with special software, as apt in Debian/Ubuntu or urpmi in Mandriva. But basic commands (cp, mv, rm, cat, grep and others) everywhere are same...

[bommel]

and if you don't know, just try
man <command>

This will show you the man page for that command/program

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

@Kemaweyan + bommel:
Boring people actually looking it up!
The way *real* people learn is by randomly bashing characters into the shell and seeing what happens.

[bommel]

@Kemaweyan + bommel:
Boring people actually looking it up!
The way *real* people learn is by randomly bashing characters into the shell and seeing what happens.

combinations like "rm -rf /" won't make fun I guess...

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

@Kemaweyan + bommel:
Boring people actually looking it up!
The way *real* people learn is by randomly bashing characters into the shell and seeing what happens.

combinations like "rm -rf /" won't make fun I guess...

That is why my first 6 months of linux happened inside VMs. I didn't care if that happened to them (snapshots FTW).

[bommel]

That is why my first 6 months of linux happened inside VMs. I didn't care if that happened to them (snapshots FTW).

I work as a software developer so I have a certain averseness to random keyboard hacking

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

That is why my first 6 months of linux happened inside VMs. I didn't care if that happened to them (snapshots FTW).

I work as a software developer so I have a certain averseness to random keyboard hacking

I am a learning programmer (C++ primarily), but prefer the trial-and-error approach (remembers much better than textbook learning).

[bommel]

I am a learning programmer (C++ primarily), but prefer the trial-and-error approach (remembers much better than textbook learning).

But at some point you need help from outside because trial-and-error could lead to a bad code style for example. I've seen a lot of people who trained themselve wrong. And especially C/C++ can be dangerous in regard of security holes...

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

I am a learning programmer (C++ primarily), but prefer the trial-and-error approach (remembers much better than textbook learning).

But at some point you need help from outside because trial-and-error could lead to a bad code style for example. I've seen a lot of people who trained themselve wrong. And especially C/C++ can be dangerous in regard of security holes...

Advice noted. Thanks.

[Kekerusey]

Does anyone know how I can learn the basic unix-terminal commands? I want to learn EVERYTHING about the Linux distributions.. And then kick Vista off my PC.. There are loads of differend versions. GNU, Debian, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE ... ?!? What are they exactly?

First of all you need a version of UNIX (Unix is not Linux but they are very similar) so you could try FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD for example ... the new Mac OS is also based on UNIX (rather coolly named Darwin). Personally I think Linux is easier but there is little doubt in my mind that if you want something useful (and more lucrative) in corporate IT then UNIX is a better way to go, if you just want to do something with a UNIX-like OS then Linux is the way to go.

Of course if you REALLY want to do something then stick with Windows [GD&RVVF]

Keke

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

[GD&RVVF]

??

[bommel]

However, installing FreeBSD on my server takes a weekend and a box of beer
I think he will be fine with Linux.

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

However, installing FreeBSD on my server takes a weekend and a box of beer
I think he will be fine with Linux.

I have to agree with this (although not the alcohol being under 16), having managed to get Gentoo running fine, I have tried all 3 major BSDs (in VMs of course) multiple times, and have really struggled to get anywhere after setup is finished.

[bommel]

I have to agree with this (although not the alcohol being under 16), having managed to get Gentoo running fine, I have tried all 3 major BSDs (in VMs of course) multiple times, and have really struggled to get anywhere after setup is finished.

Well, I managed to do so but I decided somehow to compile all programs (i. e. Apache, MySQL, PHP...) on my own so this takes hours to complete. Now I'm using Ubuntu server. Whole server setup takes max. 2 hours now (incl. mail relay server and copying backups). Ubuntu is up and running in minimal config in less than 20 minutes

[hawnuyuna'viyä]

I have to agree with this (although not the alcohol being under 16), having managed to get Gentoo running fine, I have tried all 3 major BSDs (in VMs of course) multiple times, and have really struggled to get anywhere after setup is finished.

Well, I managed to do so but I decided somehow to compile all programs (i. e. Apache, MySQL, PHP...) on my own so this takes hours to complete. Now I'm using Ubuntu server. Whole server setup takes max. 2 hours now (incl. mail relay server and copying backups). Ubuntu is up and running in minimal config in less than 20 minutes

I used to do that on a debian machine (then I discovered apt-get ). MySQL always took 5 times longer than apache or php to compile though. Grr.
I still refuse to use ubuntu because I feel it has gone too 'pop' - lost what it means to be a true *nix - I mean you can install it without having to use vi!

[bommel]

I even use nano on machines where vi is installed so this isn't an argument for me

However, the Ubuntu server version works quite well. I never had any problems with it and it is easy to install (though just console screen, no GUI, but that saves resources).

[Tsamsiyu92]

I prefer Windows over Mac, because

- Video Gaming, few games are compitable, and the gfx cards in macs are not any good for gaming.
- PRICE, those Macs are like paying 3 times as much for something with only the half the power.
- VST effects, I am a guitarist and use some free 300-buck standard VST amps that only comes in VST format. and that format is not compitable on mac.
- I hate getting used to another OS, I am hesitating on installing Win7 too because of that.

I prefer a PC where I pay for power, not for a half-eaten apple logo on the back of the screen. No offence to the Mac users.

[bommel]

I prefer Windows over Mac, because

- Video Gaming, few games are compitable, and the gfx cards in macs are not any good for gaming.
- PRICE, those Macs are like paying 3 times as much for something with only the half the power.
- VST effects, I am a guitarist and use some free 300-buck standard VST amps that only comes in VST format. and that format is not compitable on mac.
- I hate getting used to another OS, I am hesitating on installing Win7 too because of that.

I prefer a PC where I pay for power, not for a half-eaten apple logo on the back of the screen. No offence to the Mac users.

I definitifely can't agree on that music thing: I'm using cubase on my mac without flaws. In fact everything runs out of the box. On windows I have lots of problems, especially when I have no ASIO comaptible soundcard. If I would have the choice between PC and Mac when it comes to audio production: Mac, for sure Mac! I'm so annoyed by all the windows bugs

But I would agree to the rest of your points.