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Date:      Wed, 07 Mar 2001 11:05:41 -0800
From:      David Johnson <djohnson@acuson.com>
To:        Russell Francis <frussell@p1.cs.ohiou.edu>
Cc:        Super Saijin <stmfnman@hotmail.com>, freebsd-newbies@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: About Unix
Message-ID:  <3AA68685.C4C290AA@acuson.com>
References:  <Pine.GSO.3.96.1010307005123.578A-100000@p1>

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Russell Francis wrote:

> >what is a kernel?

> > what is a > shell?

Here's another way to put it that might help. If you're used to DOS and
Windows, and especially Windows-3.1 (a mere 6 years ago), the following
correspondences can be made:

kernel = msdos.sys
shell = command.com
gui = windows

Even under Windows9x, those elements are still there.

Under the typical Unix, the elements look like:

kernel = vmlinuz (Linux), genunix (Solaris), kernel (FreeBSD), etc.
shell = sh, csh, tcsh, bash, ksh (tcsh and bash are the most popular)
gui = X11R6 + window manager + optional desktop

As you can see, the Unix world gives you many more options than the
DOS/Windows world. Not only do you get to choose your shell and gui
elements, you can also customize your kernel. If you're a pessimist it
will sound like you get your choice of ropes to hang yourself with. If
you're an optimist it will be more like a candy store with something new
and tasty every minute. 

David

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