Not sure if this will be helpful... Review on Choosing a Unix Variant

Choosing a UNIX variant is a broad subject. I am assuming you have not reached this page/site, while trying to reach a decision between Tru64/Solaris/AIX.

For those of us that own a PC with an intel(compatible) processor, the following unices are avbl:

FreeBSD

netBSD

openBSD

Solaris

QNX

SCO Unix

Linux.

netBSD: I have not used netBSD, so I won't be able to say much here. netBSD's claim to fame is its ability to run on a variety of processors. In my humble opinion, there is no overwhelming reason to use netBSD.

openBSD: openBSD is widely regarded for its security. Every line of code has been audited for security holes. Thus in the default install, a lot of services are disabled. The watchword here is not applications but security. On another site, I would probably recommend openBSD, but in summary, it is for those who know BSD Unix very well.

Solaris: SUN's Solaris is considered by many as the leading flavour of Unix. Solaris has been available on x86 for abt 8 yrs now, but it is only now that Sun has decided to support Solaris enthusiastically. Solaris is free for personal use on a uni processor machine. SOlaris is picky about the VGA and NIC cards it will run on, other wise you can install it on any x86 machine. I was able to install SOlaris 9 on a Pentium 200 MMX with 64MB of RAM(yes, I could use CDE decently). It is a good idea to install solaris to prepare for sun certification or to hone one's solaris skills, but otherwise, there's no point in installing Solaris for home use.

SOlaris is slow. Apps like xmms are available from blastwave.org, but solaris-x86 group(the primier solaris group for x86) is more into SOlaris issues than fancy app issues. Unless you are a masochist who wants to experience pain first-hand, I don't think a casual user would want to setup to use Solaris to browse the web etc.(The choice of software is good, though, like SUNscreen). SOlaris is suited for enterprise purposes. For those that feel SOlaris is not slow: Solaris is fast on multi-processor machines because of the extensive locking mechanisms used, which also make it slow on single processor machines.

QNX: QNX is a Real Time OS. It can be installed on x86 platforms. It is blazingly fast. QNX is free for personal, non-commercial use. Otherwise, you need to come up with USD 20, 000/-. I had no complaints/problems with QNX at all: fast, compact, simple.you can even boot off the CD to check it out. Can connect to internet, browse the web. But the available applications are limited. There is a port of mplayer and MP3s are supported. So is Abiword. You might want to give it a try. But really, it is best used in places where a real time oS is needed like process control etc.

Linux: I know I am treading on troubled waters here. My exp with Linux is limited. MDK(Mandrake) linux is cool, fun to setup and easy. But it is difficult to install anything in addition to what's given on the CDs. It has an excellent support group though. Fedora is similar. I liked slackware, but it has a steep learning curve. If you have the time and patience, this will probably be good for you. Debian has a good support community, but be prepared for no hand-holding as in MDK. I have heard good things about Debian. MDK, with its great user community and free software commitment is the best of the lot, imho.

FreeBSD: I have written 2 reviews on FreeBSD, and it is obviously my fav. Other than being able to set it up easily, it has a ports collection. If you have a good internet connection, all you need to do to install Mplayer, for eg, will be to:

cd /usr/ports/multimedia/mplayer

make

make install

make distclean

With that done, I was able to watch Rm, RAM, RMVB, AVI, MPG & divX films on FreeBSD.

Bottom line: if you have a good internet connection, go for FreeBSD. Else, if you have access to a local Linux User Group(who all dislike FreeBSD, I assure you), go for Linux IF they can give you packages on CD-ROMS.(Same holds for FreeBSD too, but you'll hardly find anyone/ group that is into FreeBSD packages).(Which Linux is better is another holy war, which I shall safely not venture into).

SCO UNIX: If Daryl McBride or one of SCO's lawyer is your pal && they agree to give you a CD-ROM for free && you are a lawyer yourself && has enough cash in the eventuality of an out-of-case settlement with SCO should a fight break out THEN, you might want to install SCO Unix.

good luck!