[CALUG] Linux choices

[Dan Deighton]

I agree that this argument could go on for days.   Other than that, I
totally disagree with Eric's suggestion.  It will be tough to learn
Linux on a Windows system. :)  

Since there are hundreds of distros out there, it can be a little
overwhelming when deciding which one to use.  I recommend trying out a
RPM-based distro (such as CENTOS or Fedora) and a debian derivative
(such as Ubuntu or Debian).  Both have their advantages and
disadvantages.  I like and use both types of distros for different
reasons.  

You may want to try out a live CD before installing it on your system.
Ubuntu and Fedora (and many others) offer Live versions that run
directly from the CD.

Another idea is to keep your system as is and use virtualization to run
different distros.  VMWare offers VMWare Player and VMware Server for
free.  VirtualBox (http://virtualbox.org/) is another easy to use, free
virtualization platform.


Dan Deighton
CISSP, CISA, RHCE, (former MCSE)



On Wed, 2007-12-19 at 10:33 -0500, Eric Bassett wrote:
> See, here's the problem with Linux...  this argument could go on for
> days over which distro is the best... which one offers what, and so on
> and so forth.  My suggested distro?  Windows, it works fantastic.
> Complain all you want about it, but it works 99% of the time right out
> of the box with an immense amount of hardware support.  I've built and
> run many Linux distros and each one has its quirks that take a good
> amount of time to hammer out especially if there are hardware gripes.
> There's an old saying...  Linux is only free if your time has no
> value.  Sorry guys, I have better things to do with my time.
> 
> --
> Eric D. Bassett
> MCP, MCDST, MCSE, MCSA
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: calug-bounces at unknownlamer.org [mailto:calug-bounces at unknownlamer.org] On Behalf Of Clinton Ebadi
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 10:22 AM
> To: calug at unknownlamer.org
> Subject: Re: [CALUG] Linux choices
> 
> Russ <rmain at polaris.umuc.edu> writes:
> 
> > Hello,
> >
> > I want to install and dual boot a another version of linux at home.  I'd
> > like to backup data, share files between Windows and Linux, practice web
> > development, web deployment, scripting, have a stable, dependable system,
> > and learn more about Linux. I am a recent CS graduate.   I'm looking for
> > pros/cons on wheteher to use RHEL vs. Fedora.  Are there big
> > disadvantages/limitations in using RHEL and not paying for support?  Do I have
> > access to the same package updates/resources that a paying customer has?
> 
> I would suggest steering clear of Redhat derivatives. They are only
> just now kind of catching up to the quality that Debian had around
> 1999. That said, if you really must use either RHEL or Fedora go with
> Fedora because RHEL is really only meant for /Enterprise/ development,
> and my sysadmin friends who have to deal with it want to take Bob &
> Marc out behind the chemical sheds... (e.g. when your license expires
> you can't update anymore)
> 
> I'd suggest trying Debian. I was able to install it without any issues
> when I fifteen, and this was back when I had a machine with a few ISA
> cards and the installer didn't even detect their IRQs (oh potato). I
> tried installed Ubuntu on my laptop about a year and a half ago to see
> how this newfangled fancy stuff worked, but it refused to boot with
> ACPI enabled which kind of made it useless. I was able to install a
> prerelease of sarge onto my laptop a bit over a year ago, and it went
> along detecting my hardware and working fine. Hibernation to RAM and
> disk both worked on the first try even.
> 
> Debian has a huge package repository that is generally up to date as
> long as you track testing or unstable. Upgrades are trivial--run
> `apt-get upgrade' and your system is up to date! I haven't reinstalled
> my workstation since 2000; it started off with Debian potato and has
> been through two instances of brain surgery (166Mhz pentium -> 500Mhz
> k6-2 -> 2x2.13Ghz AthlonMPs). There are excellent tools for quickly
> searching the package repository, and almost any piece of software you
> could ever want is an apt-get install away. There are a number of
> miscellaneous nice things as well, e.g. module-assistant lets you
> trivially build kernel modules so getting stuff like openafs to work
> is an apt-get install and watch the package system build and load the
> modules for you away!
> 
> Of course, I'm now part of the new TWM using damn you kids these days
> with your new fangled three dee graphics and desktop environments
> generation now with my WindowMaker and emacs, so perhaps my opinion is
> not worth much on whether to use Debian versus Ubuntu. Still, I
> suggest using one of them. Most people would suggest starting with
> Ubuntu, but I suggest starting with Debian and only going to Ubuntu if
> you fail. If you succeed you get nerd cred and can mingle with the
> elite nerds while calling those Ubuntu users lamers ;-) [Cue Jason
> Dixon: "well, if you used OpenBSD like I do you'd realize anyone using
> gnu/linux is lame..."]
> 
> --
> Jessie: i stuck the phone antenna up the dogs nose and he ignored me
> 
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