Linux


Hi Don,

Considering I don't know what the route command is (assuming it's not some operation of ifconfig) I think I should definitely read a book. But my point was that if it requires a certain amount of Linux knowledge and Mandrake won't auto-configure it then Steve-O probably shouldn't consider it (as he said ... if it causes him trouble, he'd prefer to stick with Win98... perhaps he's not the type who is willing to learn all of Linux's commands and such). Then again, Mandrake might configure it and I just plain suck.

The problems I basically had were (on the Windows side) - the client computer boots but recieves no internet connection. Sometimes it recieves the network connection. Sometimes the network connection works both ways, sometimes one way. Then for a long stretch all is fine. This, from a network cable that is now working with a router flawlessly. Very odd, but I don't seem to be the only one :(

On the other hand Linux is really easy and worthwhile to learn once you've gotten past the installation stage. It might be that configuring the network is, like Don says, stupidly easy and you need only look up one HOWTO or ask the board and it'll be solved. Most tasks in Linux, once it's set up, are fairly painless. Especially with a good package manager.
 
From my experience, those "easy" linux distributions are easy until it comes to keeping your system up-to-date (which is basically a daily process). I must admit, the last "easy" distribution I used was some prehistoric SuSE, so i can't tell how the situation is today. But even though those 1337 nerdy "hard" distributions like debian or gentoo are not as easy to setup, they're 'Class A' when it comes to updating your system. You just need to update the package database (a database residing on your computer holding the contents of the debian/gentoo package servers, ie. what applications are available) with apt-get update (debian) or emerge sync (gentoo), and after that update packages that got newer versions on the package servers via apt-get upgrade (debian) or emerge world (gentoo).
That's a lot easier and time saving than, say windows, where you have to visit the homepages of the projects you're using, download the stuff, install it by hand, blah blah yadda yadda.
Of course getting your machine to work correctly with linux isn't an easy task. But imagine if you'd never seen windows before, never heard how you, say, deactivate the autostart feature for CDs. It ain't easy to find it yourself, too. That's why I advocate reading a book on linux. ;)

Just my 2ct on linux. ;)
 
Yeah that's what I said, the only exception is graphics driver updates and kernel recompilations which go a little beyond 'apt-get install' but if you can follow instructions, it's not too bad.

Just to check... I did a help & support search (and we all know how bad MS search is) 'disable autostart' (0 results) 'disable autoplay' (0 replay) 'stop the cd starting' (0 results) - I'd say it's on par with Linux ;)
 
don posted on Sep 6 2004 at 11:47 PM said:
From my experience, those "easy" linux distributions are easy until it comes to keeping your system up-to-date (which is basically a daily process). I must admit, the last "easy" distribution I used was some prehistoric SuSE, so i can't tell how the situation is today. But even though those 1337 nerdy "hard" distributions like debian or gentoo are not as easy to setup, they're 'Class A' when it comes to updating your system.

I use SuSE 9.1 on a cluster of Dual opteron based Sun servers (we run 64bit python, zope, postgres and mysql over a load balancing front end), the online update feature of Suse is far and away better than Debian (which I also use a lot) - fire up yast (the setup tool), select 'online update' , tick the 'auto update' box, set the time.. and away you go. Trust me, its easier than running apt-get update on a dozen boxes.

For my money, SuSE has the best combination of features and support for both new users and 'power users' like myself who need the systems to do one job 24/7 and do it well. Thats no criticism against Debian - I like it - the net install side of Debian is hands down the best out there. Like any good unix, theres also no reason to have to use a GUI to get things done if you need to, either; yast in console mode, or just just editing text files is just as easy..... unlike OS X .... it may be a good desktop OS, but I run a couple of Xserves and the GUI is essential to admin the system. ARGH!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I installed redhat 9 on my old computer for a test, but is is f**king slow.
It's a pentium 1, 166mhz and 64mb ram, win98 runs fine.

Do you guys only have linux installed and don't use windows anymore?
 
aapje89 posted on Sep 9 2004 at 04:27 PM said:
I installed redhat 9 on my old computer for a test, but is is f**king slow.
It's a pentium 1, 166mhz and 64mb ram, win98 runs fine.

Do you guys only have linux installed and don't use windows anymore?
Yeah, RedHat 9 would be pretty slow on that box. As time has passed most of the distributions have more and more "stuff" in them to include features rather than being tuned to perform well on MUCH older hardware like a P166. You can run linux on a box like that but you might want to pay close attention to what you are running.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can use WINE for some, but not that many as far as I know...

To be honest - with me, Linux is mainly a curiosity that I fiddle with every now and then....

I have it isstalled, but usually use Windows.
 
I think I will stick with windows 98se or upgrade it to XP Pro :D

I think it will be the easest solution as I mainly use it for games and my PC TV Card
 
aapje89 posted on Sep 10 2004 at 06:50 PM said:
But If I only have linux installed, how do a play computer games?
with mouse and keyboard, or gamepad/joystick, whatever you want!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I like linux and the way it works but there are still few things that annoy me ALOT. Example the frigging errors(while compiling something) that nobody else has seen and nobody can't help me with em and sometimes the frustrating hardness of something to get it working...
 
Well, I finally decided to give SuSE a shot. IMO, it's pretty good. The only problem I'm having so far is the inability to connect to AIM, but I posted that on a forum with a few Linux geniouses that are on all the time, so I think I'll get that figured out pretty soon. For those considering making the jump, or at least getting their feet wet wit Linux, I'd recommend SuSE.
 
Back
Top