Linux or Unix: Which is more stable?

[Martial-law]

I just wish to know which is more stable on desktop, Linux or Unix? By Unix I mean BSDs, Solaris, Mac OS or any other Unix distro used on desktops. :guitar:

[SuperSonic4]

Impossible question for your hardware is not known. I'd hazard a guess and suggest Mac OS is stable because their software designers have little variation in hardware to support

Other than that there's only one way to find out ;)

[Majorix]

i'd hazard a guess and suggest mac os is stable because their software designers have little variation in hardware to support

+1

[Paqman]

In practical terms, a system is only as stable as the apps it runs. So there's no real way to answer the question. By "Linux", do you mean a minimal LAMP server optimised for stability, or a desktop running the latest cutting-edge eye candy?

If you mean just the kernel, they're probably much of a muchness. But it's not a very relevant comparison, since nobody runs just a kernel.

[Martial-law]

Impossible question for your hardware is not known. I'd hazard a guess and suggest Mac OS is stable because their software designers have little variation in hardware to support

Other than that there's only one way to find out ;)



In practical terms, a system is only as stable as the apps it runs. So there's no real way to answer the question. By "Linux", do you mean a minimal LAMP server optimised for stability, or a desktop running the latest cutting-edge eye candy?

If you mean just the kernel, they're probably much of a muchness. But it's not a very relevant comparison, since nobody runs just a kernel.



As you have just said stability depends on the hardware and the apps the OS runs. So if this is the criteria for OS stability then may I dare to say that I think Windows is also as stable as Linux or Unix? By Linux I mean a desktop running the latest cutting edge eye candy.

[Sporkman]

Linux is perfectly stable if you lay it on its side on a flat, sturdy surface.

[Psumi]

Linux is perfectly stable if you lay it on its side on a flat, sturdy surface.

Then why does Ubuntu enable compiz desktop effects by default on my not-ready-for-compiz IBM laptop?

In truth, compiz should be optional.

[MooPi]

Psumi

Then why does Ubuntu enable compiz desktop effects by default on my not-ready-for-compiz IBM laptop?My guess is that your laptops original specs gave it the functionality for compiz and are currently incapable of compositing. How old is your laptop? Maybe the graphics chip is degraded.Another possibility is the chip may have the power for it but your bios hasn't delegated enough memory for it to function.

[slakkie]

Whichever has the highest uptime! And at work, that are all our Solaris and FreeBSD and Linux boxes.

[Psumi]

Psumi
My guess is that your laptops original specs gave it the functionality for compiz and are currently incapable of compositing. How old is your laptop? Maybe the graphics chip is degraded.Another possibility is the chip may have the power for it but your bios hasn't delegated enough memory for it to function.

It's an IBM T41 laptop. It should have about 32 MB of Video RAM and about 512 MB of System RAM.

[Gone fishing]

For most people Ubuntu is certainly stable enough - you want a more stable Linux maybe CentOS, or Debian but it will be harder to get the system you want (well depending what you want).

If you want Unix well you could go for Freebsd or Openbsd very conservative very stable, very secure but don't expect it to be as easy to get a modern desktop as it is in Ubuntu.

Anyone tried PCBSD your thoughts?

[mybodymyself]

Interesting and have no clue which one is stable.


For most people Ubuntu is certainly stable enough - you want a more stable Linux maybe CentOS, or Debian but it will be harder to get the system you want (well depending what you want).

If you want Unix well you could go for Freebsd or Openbsd very conservative very stable, very secure but don't expect it to be as easy to get a modern desktop as it is in Ubuntu.

Anyone tried PCBSD your thoughts?

2nd what gone fishing said in its response to your thread.

[tom66]

"Unix" isn't an operating system. Instead, it's a collection of UNIX-certified Unix-like operating systems. Examples include Mac OS X and SCO's/Caldera's operating systems. Linux is not UNIX-certified, it is Unix-like.

[mybodymyself]

"Unix" isn't an operating system. Instead, it's a collection of UNIX-certified Unix-like operating systems. Examples include Mac OS X and SCO's/Caldera's operating systems. Linux is not UNIX-certified, it is Unix-like.

Okay and interesting none the less.

[speedwell68]

Try Xenix that is very stable.:D