Re: Difference between Unix and Linux?

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#4378

From: Isaac
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 01:34

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On Fri, 28 Jun 2002 18:09:02 -0700, Jeffrey Siegal <jbs@quiotix.com> wrote:

> So, even if it is fair to say that both can be considered an "operating 
> system," a clear difference is that Unix is a larger collection of 
> packages, but Linux is a kernel with which other packages are often 
> combined.  (Often the combined package is also has a name that contains 
> the word Linux, as in "Red Hat Linux" but this package is not itself 
> "Linux.")

I agree.  Resolving the question of whether a kernel is or isn't an 
operating system adds nothing to the question of the difference between 
unix and linux. 

It also adds nothing to the Linux naming debate, but sometimes people
arguing those questions demand a definition of operating system that
help their argument.  IMO whatever the merit of those questions,
the tactic of usurping the definition of "operating system" is silly.

On the other hand, just as many people use the term "operating system"
exactly the way you did, many people also use the word "Linux" to refer
to a lot more than the kernel.  If for the sake of answering the poster's
question we accept this admittedly sloppy usage, then the difference 
between Unix and "Linux" is that Unix is the operating system originally 
created and trademarked by AT&T, and nothing else, no matter how similar 
is Unix.

OTOH didn't the book "Design of the Unix Operating System" published
back in the 80s pretty much stick to describing the internals of the
kernel.  Maybe the usage of unix to describe the whole package of
stuff isn't universal, but simply common.

Isaac

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From: Isaac <isaac@latveria.castledoom.org>
Subject: Re: Difference between Unix and Linux?
References: <25fc8d92.0206150829.2aba827b@posting.google.com> <Xns922EAE616F7DFjasonbaugherpikeilus@209.242.76.10> <aelarj$5qt$1@tilde.itg.ti.com> <aermut$1vt9$1@agate.berkeley.edu> <n36dhucf8bochbnh1lfhtp78lkrrerjpug@4ax.com> <afddm8$94k$1@tilde.itg.ti.com> <3D1A3FFD.4CE18AAC@quiotix.com> <afffra$e32us$2@ID-125932.news.dfncis.de> <3D1B719A.7020406@quiotix.com> <slrnahnfun.pj.isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> <3D1C0744.39B6EB51@quiotix.com> <slrnahpu10.8g.isaac@latveria.castledoom.org> <3D1D08AE.3040701@quiotix.com>
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