*BSD News Article 82373


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From: "Ismaeel Abdur-Rasheed, et. al." <ismaeel@gcsnet.com>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.sco.misc,comp.unix.misc,comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc
Subject: Re: which Unix to choose?
Date: Tue, 05 Nov 1996 17:54:18 -0500
Organization: JCBM - Java crazed brilliant minds
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Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.unix.sco.misc:28572 comp.unix.misc:26081 comp.unix.questions:90567 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:30683 comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc:4816

I've been very happy with Solaris, now at release 2.5.1.  I've had
previous experience with SVr4 from Unisys (on a U6065), but sorely
regretted it.  I needed support for NFS, NIS and pcnfsd, which Unisys
never got working right.  (I used them because, with NCR, they were the
first to port SVr4 to the Intel x86 platform).

Since then I have used exclusively SUN software (and hardware for that
matter for sparc machines).  I also insist on maintaining Silver tier
maintenance on software, so I get automatic patches and upgrade
releases.

The determining factor is, what aspect of Unix is critical to your use? 
If it is products and protocols pioneered by SUN, I suggest that that
fact carry significant weight in your decision.  If, on the other hand,
all you need is a terminal server for VT100 access with unix login
authentication and file permissions, just about any unix variant will
do.

Another issue is software availablility.  When I look for cutting edge
software products, what I find is that the initial implementation
targets a SUN/Solaris platform.  A particular case that comes to mind is
the early releases of Object Design's ObjectStore OODBMS.  If you survey
software companies that are not in marketing partnerships with Microsoft
and IBM, I believe that you will find that this Solaris precedence is
generally the case.

In terms of inexpensive and free, there's alot to be said about free
stuff.  There's also alot to be said about the accountability a vendor
has when you pay for the product, and pay for support.  In my mission
critical situation, I sleep alot easier knowing I have the entire SUN
organization behind me.  So what is the value of that sense of security? 

Well, that's my vote.

- ismaeel@gcsnet.com