Definition: Minix

(MINimal UnIX) A version of Unix for the PC, Mac and Sun platforms. Versions for the Amiga and Atari ST were also available. Developed as sample source code to teach operating systems by Andrew Tanenbaum of Vrije University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Minix was first introduced in 1987 in the book, "Operating Systems, Design and Implementation." Within a few months, more than 40,000 people subscribed to the Minix newsgroup on the Internet.

Inspiration for Linux
Linus Torvalds, who developed the immensely popular Linux operating system, was inspired by Minix. Although the operating systems use different approaches to kernel architecture (Minix uses a microkernel), Torvalds developed Linux on Minix and was influenced by its design principles. See Linux and microkernel.