All Linux distros have a command shell--most commonly bash, although there are numerous others (as with most things in Linux).
Linux doesn't "contain" UNIX--instead, it is a work-alike. In other words, although the kernel is substantially different than the various UNIX variants, it still works the same way and largely duplicates the main UNIX commands. Today, UNIX itself is being rapidly replaced with Linux in most cases--although UNIX will still be around for a good while yet, increasing numbers of former UNIX installations have become Linux ones instead. This is partly because of the huge infrastructure of Linux programs and the attention they get regarding upgrades and innovations compared to anything in the UNIX world, and partly because many proprietary variants of UNIX are quite costly or require very costly hardware. In this age of largely commodity hardware, paying big bucks for special systems doesn't always make sense. (Of course, for some applications it is still very cost-effective to install a mainframe, most of which these days are running Linux!)
It remains a good idea to learn the command line and its primary program resources no matter which Linux version you wind up with. There are many tasks for which it is simply faster and more flexible to use the command line.
There are many Linux programs that will work with your modem; as I think I said before, though, it has been entirely too many years since I dealt with one to remember off the top of my head. However, it should be quite feasible to find specific instructions. For example, a major Linux modem howto is at: http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Modem-HOWTO.html
Notice a major section on serial ports and external modems.
As for the distro question--I would not fear Linux upgrades simply based upon your negative experience with Windows. Usually, upgrading Linux is far less painful than major Windows upgrades have been--or even some "minor" Windows upgrades that have broken things in that system. I do agree that for most new users the Debian-based distributions tend to be less of a problem than those still clinging to the RPM system. Although Red Hat has claimed for a few years now that they are working on a replacement for RPM that handles dependencies better, so far nothing has been forthcoming.
Good luck...
David
--- In LINUX_Newbies@yahoogroups.com, "rkzbos" <jackrossini@...> wrote:
>
> I want to thank everyone that responded to my post here. Because their is a wealth of information to read, I'll just reply back to
> dbneeley and everyone with this post.
>
> I wish to explain a little bit of my situation as a Linux Newbie: Back in the early 1990's, I started out with a 386 PC, DOS 6.? WIN 3.22 and I was amazed and fascinated with the DOS command line and I felt as if I was really using a computer (Too bad Atari 2600 didn't have that when I was younger).
>
> Shortly after Windows kept forcing their upgrades, for years I felt that I was in some kind of a strange computer dilemma. Not only was it very difficult for me to keep up with upgrading computers hardware, software and to another Windows OS, but all of the time that I put into trying to learning DOS -which was no longer important or supported.
>
> As time went by, I learned from the popular belief that "people who use Linux, have more control over their computers, are able to do more with them and are not bombarded with the force upgrades, pop-up and commercialism". "The only problem is that it's harder to learn".
>
> At some point I came across an older computer book and I then became interested in vintage computers such as the Commodore 64/128 and the Apple iie and things such as BBS's, USENET, Majordomo and Telnets. It was to my surprise that their are user groups out there today who are dedicated to these systems and older machines.
>
> About a year ago, I was reading about Unix and learned that it came with all Linux destro. At this point I was dumb-founded to realized that Linux must be a much better OS system, because it has the best of both worlds, the past and the future.
>
> After browsing through different Linux magazines at a store, I wasn't sure which one to purchased. So I then purchased one that came with a Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Live cd (and installer). Once I got home, I followed the instructions and I installed the cd into two of my Dell computers. Both computers already had XP in them. -Which both now have dual OS's on them. (I use one of the computers as a main computer which I also go online with and the 2nd computer I use as a back up).
>
> After the installation, I went through the desktop menu of Ubuntu to check the different programs and spent a lot of time studying Unix along with my Linux Bible and Linux for Dummies books.
>
> I wasn't able to get Ubuntu to connect online because it can not find my US Robotics external dial up modem. However, it's not such a big deal right now because hopefully sometime next year I hope to have either DSL or a cable modem.
>
> Shortly after from the time I installed Ubuntu 9.04, Ubuntu already came out with an upgrade. This made me a little nervous.
>
> I guess what I am looking for in a Linux destro is a command line such as BASH and to try to connect it online and explore the Linux world to learn more.
>
> Thank you
> rkzbos
No comments:
Post a Comment