Harley Hahn's Guide to Unix and Linux

The first Unix system was developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Labs, who had previously worked on a large, unwieldy, multiuser operating system named Multics. Thompson's operating system was smaller, less ambitious and (at first) used by only one person at a time. He coined the named Unics as a contrast to Multics. Soon afterwards, the name was changed to Unix.

For Further Thought #1:

Prior to 2001, the operating system used by Apple for Macintosh desktop computers was completely proprietary. In 2001, Apple introduced a new operating system (OS X) based on Unix. What are three advantages to changing to a Unix-based operating system? What are three disadvantages?

Answer

Advantages:

• A huge amount of existing Unix software can be made to run on Macintoshes.

• Attracts very smart users who otherwise would not use an Apple, as they want a native Unix environment.

• Relieves Apple of the burden of creating and maintaining a 100% proprietary operating system.

• In many important ways, Unix is superior to the old operating system.

Disadvantages:

• Need to rewrite/convert existing programs to the new system.

• Need to retrain users and programmers.

• Working environment is not completely controlled by Apple any longer.

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