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GCN Home > January 10, 2000 issue

Compare the strengths of Linux, Unix, Solaris, NT

NT is ubiquitous, the latest Unix version is reliable, Solaris has Java, and the price is right for Linux

By Barry Nance
Special to GCN


Caldera Systems’ OpenLinux 2.3, available as either a desktop PC or server OS, contains the K Desktop Environment, a customizable interface. The OS is priced at $50.


What’s to choose from in an operating system?

It depends what you want or need most: scalability or a good price, security or application support. Consider the differences between the various versions of Microsoft Windows NT, Unix and Linux.

You can think of Linux as an incarnation of Unix. Linux source code, written and maintained by scores of collaborating programmers around the world, is available for free. Red Hat Inc. and Caldera Inc. add value to Linux in the form of extra software.

To the basic Linux kernel, for example, Caldera’s OpenLinux adds the X Window System, developer tools, Apache Web Server, Java Development Kit, Netscape Gold, Netscape FastTrack Web server and Hypertext Markup Language editing tools. Netscape FastTrack Server 2.0 is an entry-level Web server that’s great for publishing static Web pages but less than useful for serious dynamic HTML work or three-tier Web applications.

Low grades

Linux is simple and about as robust as NT. In my tests, it terminated rather clumsily when confronted with nontrivial processor, memory and hardware failures. It also lacks the breadth of application tools, such as word processor and spreadsheet programs, that are common to the leading office suites.

SunSoft Solaris and Hewlett-Packard’s HP-UX are more forgiving of hardware problems. Solaris detects most such problems automatically and sends an e-mail note or problem message to a technician. HP-UX goes a step further, automatically configuring the computer to avoid the failed hardware component and, for most failures, lets the technician repair the problematic component without powering off the computer.

Installation and administration of OpenLinux is almost wholly manual compared with other versions of Unix. For instance, OpenLinux requires that you manually create the swap and primary Linux partitions. You’ll also likely have to manually fine-tune your monitor, video card and mouse settings before you can start the X Window server.



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