Alternative Operating Systems
Fredericksburg PC Users Group
June 12, 2003
Operating System Evolution
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UNIX
- 1972
CPM
- 1976
Dos
- 1981
Mac
- 1982
Windows - 1985
Linux
- 1991
Others
- 1975-2003
Timeline
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A Brief History of Personal Computers and Operating Systems
OS
UNIX
networked
MITS Altair
CP/M
Apple I
TRS-80
Apple II
PCDOS/MSDOS
Apple Macintosh
Windows 1.0
BSD 4.3
Minix
Windows 2.0
Windows 3.0
Linux
Windows 3.1
WFWG 3.11
Windows NT 3.1
Free BSD
Net BSD
BeOS
Windows 95
Open BSD
Windows NT 4.0
Minix 2.0
Windows 98/98se
Windows ME
Windows 2000 Pro
Windows XP Home/XP Pro
Mac OS X
Windows "Longhorn"
Year Intro
1972
Comments
Derived from Multics at AT&T by Ritchie and Thompson, designed to be multiuser and
1975
1976
1976
1977
1977
1981-2001
1984
1985
1986-1994
1987
1987
1990
1991-2003
1992
1993
1993
1993-2003
1993-2002
1995
1995
1995-2003
1996
1997
1998, 1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
2004-2005?
First "Personal Computer", programmed by toggle switches
First "portable" OS for microprocessors, ran on many different hardware platforms
Apple's first product, used 6502 CPU
Tandy's first PC, Z-80 CPU, TRS-DOS
Major improvements over Apple I
Microsoft's non-GUI OS's, IBM PC introduced using Intel 8088 CPU
First GUI PC for consumers
First Microsoft Windows version
Berkley Standard Distribution UNIX
Small educational UNIX like operating system
Open source OS, functionally equivalent to UNIX, Current stable kernel version 2.4.20
First really good version of Windows
Windows for Work Groups
Based on BSD UNIX
Runs on almost any computer
Originally ran on propriatary hardware
A major milestone in Microsoft Windows development
Very high security
Major improvements to W95
Interim version between W98se and XP
Decended from NT
Current version of Windows, decended from NT
(Based on FreeBSD)
Next generation of "Windows"
Personal Computer OS’s
• For the IBM PC and Clones:
– Dos
– Windows 98se, 2000 Pro, XP Home, XP Pro.
– Free BSD, NetBSD, Open BSD
– Linux
• For the Mac:
– Mac OS X, which is a UNIX variant based on Free
BSD.
• The rest of this presentation will concentrate on Linux on
the Intel/AMD IBM PC platform..
Linux, an Alternative OS
• Linux
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What is Linux
Similarities with DOS/Windows
Differences between DOS/Windows and Linux
Disadvantages
Advantages
Linux Applications
Other Uses
Distro’s
Installation Options
What’s New?
Resources
Summary
What is Linux I?
• The Linux kernel project was begun in 1991, by
Linus Torvalds, a Finnish graduate student at the
time.
• Linux is a functional clone of UNIX for small
and not so small computers.
• Linux was turned into a complete OS through the assistance of
hundreds of volunteers on the Internet.
• FREE - programs from various sources (MIT, the Free
Software Foundation, aka GNU) can be copied and distributed
without charge.
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Source code (usually C or C++) must be included.
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Many distributions are available. The difference is in the
packaging, installation routines and support.
What is Linux II?
• UNIX has been under development since 1972, Linux since 1991.
• UNIX and Linux were designed from the beginning to be multiuser,
multitasking and networked.
• Linux is “open source”, meaning that the kernel and most
applications are provided with source code that can be freely
modified or enhanced and if necessary, patched by users.
Similarities with DOS/Windows
• Similar file structure (subdirectory tree) and concepts:
– Linux can read and write DOS/Windows (FAT, FAT32, etc.) partitions in
addition to its "native" ext2 or ext3 file system.
• Command Interpreter, aka the shell - like DOS's command.com
• Uses environment variables.
• Has functionally similar command line options.
• Files are executable (binary or batch) or data.
• User has choice of command line shell, GUI, or both.
• Executable “shell” programs function like dos batch files.
Differences from DOS/Windows
• Implemented on several hardware platforms (Intel, Mac (68K and
PPC), Alpha, MIPS, ...)
• Multiple users can be running on the same machine at the same time.
Each can be running several tasks.
• Any user can have four or more virtual desktops with different
applications running on each one.
• Multi-user structure implies :
 There must be a secure file permission system.
 Users cannot be allowed to affect each other or the OS.
 User(s) must log in (id/password) before use.
• Programs compiled to run on Linux do not run on DOS/Windows.
Some DOS and Windows programs can run under Linux using
emulators. Some applications have both Linux and Windows versions.
Disadvantages of Linux
• Flexibility can be intimidating:
 Complex installation - no "turnkey", minimal PnP.
 Most vendors won't pre-install onto a new computer.
 Many command options (but you can use a GUI instead).
• Never originally designed to be user-friendly.
• Can have significant learning curve moving from another OS:
 User must learn new commands and vocabulary.
 Different "look and feel" for both OS and some applications
although current window managers can now emulate Windows
“look and feel” if you wish.
 All file and command names are case-sensitive.
• Fewer consumer-oriented applications. However, emulators for Win32,
Mac, etc. allow many other programs to run under Linux.
Advantages of Linux
• Costs Less!
– Typical 10-user office: NT=$6000, Linux=$50-$150 (less if downloaded).
– Cost for an individual ranges from $0-$150.
• Works Better!
 UNIX and Linux are designed with security in mind. If and
when security breaches are identified, they are usually
patched almost immediately.
 Most virus programs are designed to attack features or
weakness' in the Windows operating system. Linux is
virtually immune to virus attack.
 Many Windows applications will run directly on Linux
using Wine, Crossover Office or VMC.
Some Linux Applications
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Graphical Environment - KDE/Gnome/IceWM, Others
Browsers - Mozilla/Konqueror
E-Mail - Kmail/Evolution
Instant Messenger - Gaim
Ftp Client - gftp
Multimedia - XMMS/Xine/Cdparanoia/Cdrecord
Image Browser - GQView
Image Editor - GIMP
Security - iptables/ipchains
Office Suite - OpenOffice/StarOffice/KOffice
File Browser - Konqueror
Editors - Joe, VI, Kwrite, Gedit, OpenOffice Writer
Games - Quake, Doom, SimCity, many others
Other Linux Uses
• A majority of the internet runs on Linux servers, including
our ISP.
• Most current movie digital effects are created using Linux
“render farms”.
• Many new “supercomputers” are created using clusters of
Linux computers known as “beowulf” clusters.
• Linux is used in many devices such as “Tivo” as an
embedded OS.
• Linux is used as on OS by some PDA’s (Sharp Zaurus)
Linux Distributions
• Popular Linux Distributions:
• Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE., Debian, and Slackware are the "big five"
distributions, listed more or less in order of current popularity. All were
priced in the $30-50 range, although the most recent release of Red
Hat Professional has escalated to $150.
• Other popular distributions are Knoppix (which runs from a CD and
can be used as a system rescue disc) and Gentoo (which you compile
from source).
• Lindows can be bought pre-installed on PC's from WalMart's website
for under $500.
Linux Installation Options
• Installation - Unless you’re familiar with installing Linux, either get a
boxed distribution with manuals or buy a Linux book which includes
installation CD’s. Easiest install is with a bootable CD or DVD, but
can be installed by booting first from a floppy or via NFS over a
network. Used to install using 50-60 floppy discs 10 years ago.
• Check to be sure your hardware is supported first.
• Free space - defrag first
– 4 + GB recommended, 1 GB min for non GUI
• Partitioning
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/root - OS + other directories
/home - for your user files
swap = 2 x memory
other options
• 2nd HD - Dual Boot with Windows
• Dedicated Computer - Requires 386 or newer
What’s New with Linux
• Latest Distro’s - RedHat 9.0, Mandrake 9.1, SuSE 8.2,
Knoppix 3.2, Slackware 9.0, Debian 3.0r1.
• SCO Suit - see the Bulletins page on the FPCUG website
for links to the latest info.
• Microsoft is taking aggressive steps against Open Source
and Linux in an attempt to reverse the flow of users away
from their OS.
• 2003 And Beyond Article http//www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit029.html This article
reveals where Microsoft and computing as they would like
us to know it are headed over the next few years.
Linux Resources I
• Inexpensive Linux CD and Software
Sources
– Almost Free Linux - Source for low cost Linux CD distributions
– CheapBytes
distributions
- CheapBytes - Source for low cost Linux CD
– CheapISO.Com
- Latest available ISO images
– eLinux
- Linux - Hardware and Software
– Freshmeat
- Latest Linux software and updates.
– Linux Central
- Linux Central - The /root for Linux Resources
Linux Resources II
• Linux Magazines
– Linux Journal
- Monthly Magazine (one of the first)
– Linux Gazette
- Monthly E-Magazine
– Linux Resources - Monthly Magazine
– Linux Format
- Monthly UK Magazine
– Linux Magazine - Monthly Magazine
Linux Resources III
• Information I
– Distro Watch - Keeps track of all available Linux distributions
– Major Linux Distributions - Lists 10 distributions, which are
generally considered as most widely used by Linux users around
the world.
– yoLinux
- Huge list of resource links
– LinuxISO.Org - Linux ISO.Org
– Linux.Org
- Linux.Org
– LinuxHQ
- LinuxHQ
Linux Resources IV
• Information II
– Linux Kernels - Information on the latest Linux Kernel Versions
– Linux Organization - The Linux Organization web site.
– Linux Devices - Keeps track of devices using Linux
– Linux Today
- Linux Today
– Linux World
- Linux World
– MyZaurus
- Sharp Zaurus PDA
Linux Resources V
• Top Linux Distributions
– Redhat
– Mandrake
– SuSE
– Debian
– Knoppix
– Slackware
– Gentoo
– Lindows
Summary
• Linux is a low cost, open source, multitasking, multiuser,
network capable operating system for personal computers
which is functionally similar to the UNIX operating
system.
• Linux runs on Intel and AMD processors as well as many
others.
• Many applications, both open source and commercial are
available for Linux.
• Linux has become a viable alternative to the Windows OS
on personal computers.
Alternative Operating Systems
FPCUG, June 12, 2003
Presented by Josh Cockey
Linux SIG Leader
webmaster@fpcug.org