
September 9th, 2003, 01:57 PM
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Contributing User
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64
Time spent in forums: < 1 sec
Reputation Power: 10
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OS X is a fully-functioning Unix server.
The core of OS X is based on the FreeBSD O/S.
OS X 10.1.x was based on the FreeBSD 3.x core.
OS X 10.2.x is based upon the FreeBSD 4.x core.
OS X 10.3 will be based upon the FreeBSD 5.x core.
Basically, Apple succeeded in doing exactly what no one else has been able to do so far - mate a Unix core OS, with all of it's functionality, to a viable GUI windowing system (called 'Aqua'), which is suitable for the (point-and-click) masses.
That way Joe average user who doesn't need to know anything about the underlying OS can use it because he's used to the Apple way of doing things and still be able to run his off-the-shelf shrinkwrapped software, like Quicken or Office, while Joe Unix User can take full advantage of the Unix core OS and do it on a standardized platform.
-Gary
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