I'm an absolute idiot.

[xorgle]

I've browsed google yet haven't been able to find a well-explained answer to my questions.

1. What exactly is Unix? I know it's an operating system like windows is, and that it relies on typed commands rather than clicking, dragging, etc. It's far less visual than windows, and you need to remember a whole host of typed commands to even the simplest of things. Unix, like apple, will not run windows software, but instead has its own software, E.g. Nedit, a text editor.

Is all that correct? Am I missing anything important here in my understanding?


2. Linux. What exactly IS linux? How does it relate to Unix? Are they the same thing?

3. What does installing unix/linux entail? Would it be possible to download an installer and simply install it on a windows machine as a, sort of, operating system within an operating system? Or would I need to unstall it on my computer so that I had some sort of duel-boot setup? Ideally I'd like to try it out on my laptop here, but not jeopardise its overall heath, speed, and windows settings. To have linux/unix as an operating system within an operating system that I could open up and play with as i chose within windows would be ideal. Is any of this possible? And ifso, how?


Please forgive my ignorance.

Thanks,
-xorg

[techieMoe]

Apparently you missed the "Linux Newbie" section of our forum. I believe most of the sticky posts at the top will answer your questions. Also, refer to the "Ultimate Linux FAQ" found here:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...linux-faq.html