How to Learn the Unix Operating System
Perhaps the only operating systems you are aware of are Windows and MAC OS's. But there is a powerful operating system that has been around for decades that has staying power for years to come. Invented by Bell Labs in the early 1960s as a dependable and shareable operating system, Unix is the operating system of choice for many global companies.
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Things You'll Need
- The book "Unix in a Nutshell"
- An old computer system or laptop
- A Windows or MAC computer for research
Instructions
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Learn The Unix Operating System
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1
Reference "Unix in a Nutshell" as well as the article "The Creation of the Unix Operating System" (http://www.bell-labs.com/history/unix/) to familiarize yourself with the history of the Unix Operating System. It is important to understand the journey Unix has taken since its invention in the 1960s.
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2
Familiarize yourself with the Unix file systems by referencing "Unix in a Nutshell." Become familiar with these "root" filesystems: /stand, /var, /usr, /home and many others.
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3
Learn the basic Unix commands by referencing "Unix in a Nutshell." You will quickly realize that Unix does not have a GUI (Graphical User Interface) like Windows--this means no mouse--so is based solely on your familiarity with some powerful and versatile Unix commands.
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4
Download a version of Unix. Unix comes in many types: HP-UX (Hewlett Packard, AIX (IBM), Solaris (Sun) and Linux (Red Hat). These versions are similar so you can read up on each to determine which you should use. Linux has become popular because it is free and reliable. See the link below to find a free version of Linux.
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Install the operating system on an old computer and practice the commands you have learned: creating filesystems, setting up user accounts and administering file system rights are good places to start. Any variety of Unix does not require powerful hardware to operate. Many would-be Unix Administrators set up Unix servers to practice on before taking their skills to the professional arena.
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Tips & Warnings
Learning the Unix Operating System is a lifelong aspiration so do not become frustrated too quickly.
Be careful while using any variety of Unix because it relies on the competency of the user to always issue correct commands. One small mistake can erase filesystems and wipe out data.
