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Question
Since Unix is all about open standards, how easy is it to modify?
Is there an advantages and disadvantages of being able to modify UNIX?
Adhering to open standards does not necessarily imply that it is easy to modify.
What it means is that if you write a piece of code that adhere's to the standards, then it will be easy to port that piece of code to other OS's that adhere to the same standards with a minimum of hassle.
If you are fluent in the C language and have a working knowledge of OS concepts, then Linux, BSD and other OS's that publish all the source code are the easiest to modify. -- OS's that don't publish the source are impossible to modify... (i.e. you can't just go create your own embedded version of Windows from Windows XP - but you can with Linux if you know what you are doing...)
I don't see any disadvantages of being able to modify an OS as you see fit...
It is totally an advantage to be able to customize and streamline an OS for the job the system is intended to perform.
Enjoy!
Larry
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Answers by Expert:
mkitwrk
Expertise
Expert: Creating and managing *nix database/application servers for use with dl4/unibasic/mysql/apache/thoroughbred applications, especially in medical environments. Strengths: scripting, backup and disaster recovery, mysql, apache2, routing, samba/smbfs/cifs, LPRng, CUPS, telnet/ssh/sftp, vsftp, rsync, new system preparation, system duplication, database design, system conversions (AIX/SCO-OS5/Linux) Currently working on scripted setup of LAMP servers using PDO for MySQL and Oracle. Compiling Apache2, openssl, php and libxml2 from source and linking to libraries for MySQL and Oracle InstantClient. Works great so far! Familiar With: php, c, awk, sed, gnome, nfs and lots of other *nix tools
Experience
I've been head of development at our company since 1984. Our OS's at that time were Point 4's IRIS and Altos' Xenix. Then: SCO Xenix, SCO Unix, AIX, SCO-OS5, Caldera, RedHat 7, Debian Sarge, RedHat ES4, Debian Etch, Redhat ES5, Debian Lenny, RedHat ES6, Debian Squeeze. I've migrated our clients through those various versions with minimal interruption while preserving their investments in hardware and staff knowledge over time.
Education/Credentials
1980 BSBA Washington University, Saint Louis, Missouri
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