steved@hrshcx.csd.harris.com (Steve Daukas) (05/08/91)
<< Sorry if this appears more than once, my first post never made it? >> I am looking for some advice on running Unix on my PC and the pros and cons of running variants like minix et. al.. While I'd love to have a Unix box on my desk, I simply can't afford that - I already have a 386sx PC and need to build upon it. I want to be able to run vi, elm, emacs, X11R4, etc., as well as write some device driver code and compile it. I am also looking to become more familiar with the Unix kernel. I use a SVR3 based kernel at work with BSD extensions. I would like the time invested at home to carry over to work. In addition to the Unix environment, I would like to run DOS applications under Unix (in an X window). I need to run various types of application code ranging from spread sheets to business graphics and databases. I _think_ I want to run these under Unix so that I can have more than one going at a time, and also write code in yet another window. I am an engineer working on a MBA, so I want to do homework and write code at the same time. ;-) Given what I need and want, I believe I have four criteria that need to be met: 1) The user environment: I want to be able to use AT&T based system administration, libraries, etc.. BSD extensions would be nice, but not expected. I would like the variant to be rather up to date (SVR3 or better) so things like Coherent are not my first choice. I want to run X11R4 (even though it may be painfully slow), MOTIF (even slower?), EMACS, et. al.. 2) The development environment: I want to be able to write code (e.g., device drivers, X, etc.) that is readily portable to the Unix mainstream. I am interested in being able to bring work home without having to use a modem. I also want to explore various topics that I am not presently involved with at work. 3) DOS support: I would like to run DOS applications under Unix so that I can have more than one going at a time. I have heard of such things as vm/ix (I believe thats what it is called), but have no real knowledge of which one works and which will run under X. 4) Price (you knew this was on its way...): I want my cake and I want to eat it too! I don't have a great deal of money, but I also understand that this will be an investment in my technical skills. I don't want to spend too much, though - especially in hidden costs (like 1 Gig disks...). I very much appreciate any help, insight, or comments. I especially welcome inputs as to where my expectations are out of line with reality. I simply don't know the best way to glue all of these environments together... Thanks in advance! I will summarize any E-mail that comes my way. Steve -- .-------------------..-------------------------. | Stephen C. Daukas || sdaukas@csd.harris.com | | (617) 221-1834 || uunet!hcx1!misg!sdaukas | `-------------------'`-------------------------'