Operating systems and Linux distributions: Difference between revisions
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[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux GNU Linux] aims to be a free and open-source unix (or unix-like) operating system that will run on most types of computer hardware and uses an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System X11 graphical user interface]. Various [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution distributions of GNU/Linux] exist that have different package management systems and other features. Most of these are ideal platforms for X-ray crystallography and other scientific computational requirements. | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux GNU Linux] aims to be a free and open-source unix (or unix-like) operating system that will run on most types of computer hardware and uses an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System X11 graphical user interface]. Various [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution distributions of GNU/Linux] exist that have different package management systems and other features. Most of these are ideal platforms for X-ray crystallography and other scientific computational requirements. | ||
===Linux Distributions=== | |||
This list is taken directly from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution Wikipedia's article on Linux Distributions]: | |||
Well-known Linux distributions include: | |||
* [[Fedora (Linux distribution)|Fedora]] which is a community distribution sponsored by [[Red Hat]] | |||
* [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux]], which is a derivative of [[Fedora (Linux distribution)|Fedora]] maintained and commercially supported by [[Red Hat]] | |||
* [[CentOS]], a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible | |||
* [[Debian]], a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles | |||
* [[Ubuntu (Linux distribution)|Ubuntu]], a newly popular desktop distribution maintained by [[Canonical Ltd|Canonical]] that is derived from Debian. | |||
* [[Mandriva Linux|Mandriva]], a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name | |||
* [[openSUSE]], originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company [[Novell]] | |||
* [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]], a distribution targeted at [[power user]]s, known for its [[FreeBSD Ports]]-like automated system for compiling applications from source code | |||
* [[Knoppix]], a [[LiveCD]] distribution that runs completely from [[removable media]] and without installation to a hard disk | |||
* [[Slackware]], one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by [[Patrick J. Volkerding]] | |||
* [[Linspire]], a commercial desktop distribution based on Ubuntu (and thus Debian), and once the defendant in the [[Microsoft vs. Lindows]] lawsuit over its former name. | |||
[[DistroWatch]] maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site, but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity. | |||
===Useful Links=== | |||
* [http://xanana.ucsc.edu/~wgscott/xtal/wiki/index.php/Scientific_Computing_on_Ubuntu Crystallography on Ubuntu Linux] | |||
==Mac OS X== | ==Mac OS X== | ||
Revision as of 22:49, 9 February 2008
Operating Systems
Linux
GNU Linux aims to be a free and open-source unix (or unix-like) operating system that will run on most types of computer hardware and uses an X11 graphical user interface. Various distributions of GNU/Linux exist that have different package management systems and other features. Most of these are ideal platforms for X-ray crystallography and other scientific computational requirements.
Linux Distributions
This list is taken directly from Wikipedia's article on Linux Distributions:
Well-known Linux distributions include:
- Fedora which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat
- CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat - compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
- Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
- Ubuntu, a newly popular desktop distribution maintained by Canonical that is derived from Debian.
- Mandriva, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name
- openSUSE, originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell
- Gentoo, a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
- Knoppix, a LiveCD distribution that runs completely from removable media and without installation to a hard disk
- Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding
- Linspire, a commercial desktop distribution based on Ubuntu (and thus Debian), and once the defendant in the Microsoft vs. Lindows lawsuit over its former name.
DistroWatch maintains a popularity ranking of distribution information on its web site, but this is not considered to be a reliable measure of distribution popularity.
Useful Links
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a proprietary BSD-unix-derived operating system that runs on Apple's computers. The BSD-subsystem, called Darwin, attempts to be open-source. Unlike most other flavors of unix, OS X is not based on an X11 windowing system, but instead uses a proprietary Aqua graphical user interface. For crystallographers and others who need the conventional X11 windowing system, an Xserver for OS X is available, and installs by default on the most current version of OS X.
Links:
- Apple's Mac OS X Unix page.