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What Linux is xclosest to whats used in apples OSX?

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brotman:
Hey y'all,

My last experience with Miocrosquish (and Vista - which has since be "upgraded" back to XP on my PC) was bad. This  led me to the decision that my next "PC should be a Mac.  I'd like to do a little preperation for the change and get accustomed (as much as is possible) with OSX (if not that then at least the Linux underpinings for that system.  Does anyone know upon what Linux OSX was based???  Or which Linux is closest to Apples OS???? :tellme:

Thanks,

Chuck

40hz:
1. Macintosh OS X is Unix derivative OS based on the XNU hybrid microkernal.

The history and technical details would take a lot of space to recap so your best bet is to take a look at Wikipedia if you need specific information. Suggested links:

   OS X see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X

   MACH see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_kernel

   XNU see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU

2. Sorry to tell you, but what the Mac users say is true. If you want to experience the Mac you'll need to get one.

Apple's claim to fame lies in the proprietary Macintosh design and "user experience." It is unique. There is no equivalent product on the market.

If you want to try something to get your mind out of the Windows mindset try any of the "live" Linux distributions. Ubuntu is probably the easiest to start with. It uses the Gnome desktop so you shouldn't feel completely lost once you start it up. Other good first choices would be Mandriva or LinuxMint. A quick run over to Distrowatch (www.distrowatch.com) can point you to more choices.

Happy Mac-ing! :)

jormartr:
Regarding to the interface experience and integration, the most close to it is the new KDE 4.1 desktop enviorenment. That version is still under developement, but it should not take too much longer to get stable.

I am a linux user, I have used both Gnome and KDE. Both of them have good integration within their components. I feel KDE has more options and choices, more configurable. Gnome is really easy and one cannot get lost on it, but it leaves you with fewer options to adapt to yourself.

I am looking for KDE4.1 to get out (actually under Release Candidate). I have tried its beta versions, and the developer team is working towards a great libraries base for all the software, and integration between its components.

Just my opinion.

Edvard:
40Hz, you forgot the Darwin part.
Darwin is an open source UNIX computer operating system released by Apple Inc. in 2000. It is composed of code developed by Apple, code derived from NEXTSTEP, and code derived from FreeBSD and other free software projects.
Darwin forms the core set of components upon which Mac OS X and iPhone OS are based. It can also be run as a standalone operating system (although Apple no longer provides a distribution).
--- End quote ---

40hz:
40Hz, you forgot the Darwin part.
Darwin is an open source UNIX computer operating system released by Apple Inc. in 2000. It is composed of code developed by Apple, code derived from NEXTSTEP, and code derived from FreeBSD and other free software projects.
Darwin forms the core set of components upon which Mac OS X and iPhone OS are based. It can also be run as a standalone operating system (although Apple no longer provides a distribution).
--- End quote ---
-Edvard (July 28, 2008, 04:16 PM)
--- End quote ---

Yep. I did. Please don't tell anybody!!!  ;)

BTW: Here's a pretty interesting video of Steve Jobs demoing (is that a word?) NextStep:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j02b8Fuz73A

And a ca 1984 demo of the original Mac. I remember how it looked like something out of StarTrek compared to DOS on a VGA monitor. And in retrospect, what a little babe-magnet Steve was back in his "salad days.":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0FtgZNOD44&feature=related

And here's an interesting old post (bordering on flame) about the relationship of the Mach kernel to BSD - with a swipe or two at the Linux crowd. Fun!:

http://www.sdbug.org/pipermail/sdbug/2004-January/002519.html

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