i know Solaris is OS. But i'm just wondering how it looks like ... is it similar to Windows or Linux. Does it have all the features for every day use... or is it just for server computers. Can you run windows exe on it, maybe via some emulator ? I have no idea about it, and i searched all the web noone explain's it in normal language.
> i know Solaris is OS. But i'm just wondering how it
Solaris is and OS. It primarily runs on SPARC or Intel/AMD type processors. A port is underway or has been completed for Power PC chips.
> looks like ... is it similar to Windows or Linux.
Solaris is closer to Linux than it is to Windows. Do not expect to run Windows or Linux binaries under Solaris. You will need to run Solaris Applications on Solaris. There is software that will let you fudge this, but to keep this generic let's keep it simple.
> Does it have all the features for every day use... or
> is it just for server computers. Can you run windows
Solaris used to be a Server OS. You can find "Office" types apps but for games and stuff your much better off with Windows. You can get the basic Internet tools, but don't expect Quicktime to run on Solaris.
> exe on it, maybe via some emulator ? I have no idea
There is a beginner's guide on my web site at:
http://www.ilkda.com
Scroll down to "New to Unix"
You can go to http://docs.sun.com and look over the documentation for the Sun Java Desktop System to look over the docs and maybe see some screen shots before deciding if you want to take the plunge.
http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/coll/1217.1
alan
"Solaris used to be a Server OS. You can find 'Office' types apps but for games and stuff your much better off with Windows. You can get the basic Internet tools, but don't expect Quicktime to run on Solaris."
I've used Solaris as a desktop OS and prefer it to Windows. StarOffice 8 provides more than enough WP and spreadsheet functionality for me. It has read every MS Office document I've thrown at it. With Samba, I can print to Windows printers and browse Windows shares. It's at least as good a Windows network client as a Mac.
Solaris won't run QuickTime but it comes with RealPlayer. With mplayer (available at http://www.blastwave.org/packages.php/mplayer), you can play most other media files. There's also a Flashplayer for Solaris.
Solaris is definitely not a premier choice for gaming but there are some simple games available for it like xboing and xbill. For desktop productivity in a Windows environment, Solaris is great.
(I don't work for Sun. This is just one fanboy's $0.02.)
