Linux-Advocacy Digest #164, Volume #26 Mon, 17 Apr 00 01:13:08 EDT
Contents:
Re: New Linux User Question (Charlie Ebert)
Linux: which distribution?...what tools? ("cadman2")
Re: Windows 2000 has 63,000 bugs - Win2k.html [0/1] - Win2k.html [0/1] (Christopher
Browne)
Re: Linux for a web developer (Leslie Mikesell)
Re: Introduction to Linux article for commentary (Leslie Mikesell)
Re: The truth is often painful... (Terry Porter)
Re: Introduction to Linux article for commentary (John Hasler)
Re: MS caught breaking web sites (David Steuber)
Re: MS caught breaking web sites (David Steuber)
Re: .DLL not present in W2K, MICROSOFT GUILTY OF COVERUP! (David Steuber)
Re: MICROSOFT IT THRU! MICROSOFT IS THRU! (David Steuber)
Re: Linux for a web developer (Leslie Mikesell)
Re: Windows is scary all right (Terry Porter)
Re: Windows is scary all right (Terry Porter)
Re: Linux for a web developer (Leslie Mikesell)
Re: We need a new subject was (Re: You anti-Microsoft types just don't get it, do
you?) ("Keith T. Williams")
Re: Linux: which distribution?...what tools? (Christopher Browne)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Charlie Ebert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: New Linux User Question
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 03:04:57 GMT
Did I forget to tell you that if you get Linux installed, you get to come back
on
this very news-group and tell Joe Kiester where to park it?
Charlie
Tobias Adrianse wrote:
> I am interested in making the transition to Linux as my OS. I currently run
> Win98. If this is a bad newsgroup for this post please direct me to one
> that is better.
>
> What are the basic advantages for running Linux. ( I am looking into red
> hat)
> What are the basic disadvantages for runnig Linux?
> Will my programs run the same even if they are meant to be run under a
> windows 98 OS?
> Will I still be able to use Internet Explorer and programs that I currently
> have.
>
> I apoligize ahead of time for my ignorance, I know absolutley NOTHING about
> Linux.
>
> --
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: "cadman2" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Linux: which distribution?...what tools?
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 2000 20:16:45 -0700
I'll soon be making the switch from my rickety Windows OS to Linux and am
wondering about my options...
I know there are a variety of Linux distributions each supporting various
hardware drivers, but I don't know which would be best for me (interface,
speed, security, etc.).
I'm interested in using Linux for various web and programming
purposes...should hardware support be my only deciding factor?
I've also heard tell of different "extras" I should get like certain text
editors, etc. Any suggestions?
Thanks for your time,
-cadman2
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Christopher Browne)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.linux.misc,comp.os.linux.redhat
Subject: Re: Windows 2000 has 63,000 bugs - Win2k.html [0/1] - Win2k.html [0/1]
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 03:26:23 GMT
Centuries ago, Nostradamus foresaw a time when David Steuber would say:
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] (abraxas) writes:
>' > Fucking GOTO's all over the place.
>'
>' Have you looked at the source for the linux kernel?
>
>david@Interloper:> pwd
>/usr/src/linux
>david@Interloper:> find . -name '*.c' -exec grep ' goto ' {} \; | wc
> 580 2212 19404
>
>Color me surprised. Some of those are in comments, BTW. This is the
>2.2.14 kernel from kernel.org.
What you are failing to realize is that GOTO is not _inherently_ evil;
it is only evil when layered, like chunky peanut butter, into code.
GOTO is _perfectly_ acceptable to use when it diminishes the complexity
of code.
--
Would-be National Mottos:
Tibet: "It's all downhill from here!"
[EMAIL PROTECTED] - - <http://www.ntlug.org/~cbbrowne/lsf.html>
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Leslie Mikesell)
Subject: Re: Linux for a web developer
Date: 16 Apr 2000 22:30:45 -0500
Then you don't understand Microsoft very well. The page
was generated directly from a Microsoft product. You can say a
lot of things about Microsoft but you can't say that they
do not understand perfectly the public relations aspect
of making a competitors product look bad. You don't really
think they didn't bother to test, do you?
Les Mikesell
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
In article <8dden8$lc0$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Davorin Mestric <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>well, netscape is crashing, and it is microsoft's fault? i simply don't
>follow your logic.
>
>this would fit nicely into that other thread about the fact that open source
>programs crash less. :)
>
>
>Leslie Mikesell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>(http://www.objectwatch.com/Figures/Issue26/Issue26Figs_files/frame.htm)
>> >
>> >Sorry, that page can't get called from Netscape if you don't have M$
>> >office installed. Not even on a windows machine. I don't seem to ever
>> >recall having that type of problem with any of the scripts I've
>> >written.
>> >
>> >'Nuff said.
>>
>> It crashed netscape for me even on a box with office95 installed.
>> If that is an example of what happens when you trust Microsoft
>> products to do something that is supposed to use standard
>> protocols, I'll pass, thank you.
>>
>> Les Mikesell
>> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Leslie Mikesell)
Crossposted-To: alt.linux,alt.os.linux,uk.comp.os.linux
Subject: Re: Introduction to Linux article for commentary
Date: 16 Apr 2000 22:34:34 -0500
In article <8dba3h$l5n$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Donovan Rebbechi) wrote:
>> On 15 Apr 2000 15:09:50 GMT, red-5 wrote:
> >
>> If you want to set up your own little hippie state in the middle of
>no-where,
>> go for it ! Perhaps it could work.
>
>Tell me why do we have to go somewhere out in the desert to start
>everything from scratch? I got a better idea, why dotn we take all
>the factories, farms ands other means of production the we have created
>working for the masters?
You can always try the labor union route.
Les Mikesell
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Terry Porter)
Subject: Re: The truth is often painful...
Reply-To: No-Spam
Date: 17 Apr 2000 11:40:03 +0800
On Fri, 14 Apr 2000 04:01:39 +0000, mh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>A lot of half-truths and diatribes here, but the simple truth is this:
>when it comes to business oriented desktop software Linux applications
>are AT LEAST TWO GENERATIONS BEHIND the stuff Microsoft produces.
What does "business oriented" mean ?
For instance I design software and hardware using Linux, from this I make
money, via the devices I make. The software that does these jobs is NOT
2 generations behind MS software.
Plus your statement sux badly anyway, when the Windows OS itself is so
many generations *behind* unix.
No multiuser
No remote admin
No remote GUI
<many other deficiencies trimmed>
>
>Please note that I am a Linux advocate. My home network is Linux. I
Many use Linux as a server, and have no idea of its capability on the
desktop.
>believe in the principles, the ethics, of open source and admire the
>people who have made GNU/Linux a reality. I use Netscape 4.7, both for
>email and news, not because I ACTUALLY PREFER Netscape, but because
>there is nothing better available on Linux.
This is just quite simply incorrect.
Slrn is only one example of a news reader thats a LOT better than Netscape.
Pine is an example of a mail reader thats a LOT better than Netscape.
>
>Personally, I think that's pathetic, given the quality of the Linux
Personally I think you have no idea of the huge range of apps that exist
for Linux.
OS--but it's true. Applixware? StarOffice? Get real.
I use Lyx for document processing, fast and efficient.
I'd *never* use the above apps.
>if I had a
>choice, based purely on functionality, I'd take Office 95 over either.
>In fact, I'd take Word 2.0, Excel 5.0 and Access 2.0 over any similar
>programs currently available for Linux.
And put up with Windows ??
>
>I use Linux because I love its open nature, its flexibility, its
>empowerment, and because I believe in the philsophy/ethics of the Free
>Software Foundation. I cannot contribute as a programmer, because I
>don't possess the skills. But I can offer an honest evaluation based on
>years of experience with a wide range of business oriented desktop
>software in a business environment, and the truth is that in this
>particular realm Linux SUCKS. I fervently hope to see the day when that
>is no longer true.
Well you may be waiting a long time, Lyx already exists and for many
it's *all* we need.
It's not compatible with the programs you use, and probably never will be
given their closed and proprietary nature.
Linux will always suck, when compared to Windows apps, because Windows apps
suck when compared to Linux apps.
It just depends which side of the fence you stand on.
I have read your reply to one poster stating that if you dont point out
the deficiencies then Linix will never improve.
Sadly you just don't get it, as Linux apps are written by authors for their
OWN use.
You can point out these "deficiencies" all you like, but nothing will change,
as Linux is Free Software, and your opinion doesnt count, unless you're a
programmer.
If you want to do more than talk, become a programer, and write the apps
YOU want, which in your case seem to be wordprocessing, spread sheet
and database.
You might need a few friends to help too, if you want a better spreadsheet
than Excell, as I believe it took about 500 man years to write.
Kind Regards
Terry
--
**** To reach me, use [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****
My Desktop is powered by GNU/Linux, and has been
up 2 weeks 38 minutes
** Registration Number: 103931, http://counter.li.org **
------------------------------
From: John Hasler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: alt.linux,alt.os.linux,uk.comp.os.linux
Subject: Re: Introduction to Linux article for commentary
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 01:47:49 GMT
Christopher Browne writes:
> According to the Anarchism FAQ...
The Anarchism FAQ represents the views of its author.
--
John Hasler
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, Wisconsin
------------------------------
Crossposted-To:
comp.os.linux.development.system,comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy,comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy,comp.os.linux.networking,comp.os.linux.security,comp.os.ms-windows.networking.tcp-ip,alt.conspiracy.area51
Subject: Re: MS caught breaking web sites
From: David Steuber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 04:00:03 GMT
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Robert Hampf) writes:
' Boris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> h=E9lt =FEessu fram:
' : Can you post your BS on linux newsgroups. That's were it belongs righ=
t. Just fuck off NT
' : newsgroups you idiot.
' =
' Why? It hasn't got anything to do with Linux.
It also appears to have no relevance to linux networking. In fact,
the title is a lie.
Now that I look at the headers, I'm hard pressed to find any place
that this belongs. Setting followups to something appropriate.
-- =
David Steuber | Hi! My name is David Steuber, and I am
NRA Member | a hoploholic.
http://www.packetphone.org/
A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely
rearranging their prejudices.
-- William James
------------------------------
Crossposted-To:
comp.os.linux.development.system,comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy,comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy,comp.os.linux.networking,comp.os.linux.security,comp.os.ms-windows.networking.tcp-ip,alt.conspiracy.area51
Subject: Re: MS caught breaking web sites
From: David Steuber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 04:00:02 GMT
laugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
' Robert,
'
' What can I say? Microsoft does so many evil things that the story seemed
' credible. Have to admit to a certain predisposition towards belief in this area.
I'm that way too.
' Well, I can take some comfort from the fact that Microsoft stock is in
' freefall,
' and Mr. Bill has lost tens of billions of dollars of net worth.
Pocket change for him.
'
' And with Linux growing to 35% of all servers and 10% of desktops this year
' alone
Do you have a citation for this? I would like to see it. I don't
think Apple even has 10% of the desktops.
' Go ahead and call me a fudster if that eases the pain, just don't put any
' money in
' Microsoft stock....No, wait, I take that back, please put ALL your money in MS
' stock....
I would love to short it, but I don't have the credit.
Then again, the 50 day moving average has just crossed the 200 day
moving average in a downward trend. The stock is near its 52 week
low. I think I would just stay away from that issue if I had some
real money to play with.
--
David Steuber | Hi! My name is David Steuber, and I am
NRA Member | a hoploholic.
http://www.packetphone.org/
Preudhomme's Law of Window Cleaning:
It's on the other side.
------------------------------
Crossposted-To: comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy,comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy
Subject: Re: .DLL not present in W2K, MICROSOFT GUILTY OF COVERUP!
From: David Steuber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 04:00:06 GMT
Charlie,
Please, please, please stop cross-posting these illiterate ravings all
over usenet. I should think that two advocacy groups is more than
sufficient for this stuff.
Headers trimmed to protect the innocent.
--
David Steuber | Hi! My name is David Steuber, and I am
NRA Member | a hoploholic.
http://www.packetphone.org/
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at
different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.
-- Clive James
------------------------------
Crossposted-To: comp.os.ms-windows.advocacy,comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy
Subject: Re: MICROSOFT IT THRU! MICROSOFT IS THRU!
From: David Steuber <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 04:00:06 GMT
"Christopher Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
' I think it's gonna become like that navy ship story :).
Except the USS Yorktown really _was_ dead in the water after a
computer failure.
Headers trimmed somewhat to protect the innocent.
--
David Steuber | Hi! My name is David Steuber, and I am
NRA Member | a hoploholic.
http://www.packetphone.org/
They're only trying to make me LOOK paranoid!
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Leslie Mikesell)
Subject: Re: Linux for a web developer
Date: 16 Apr 2000 23:01:28 -0500
In article <8ddgdr$l0e$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Davorin Mestric <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>> >also, to a asp developer, web development on unix looks archaic. asp is
>so
>> >much nicer to use than anything on unix. with php you are required to
>use a
>> >single language, weird db access, i don't know what support you have for
>> >debugging your scripts.
>>
>> 'Single language'??? I don't think you understand the concept of apache
>> modules. Php is one module.
>>Mod_perl is another. Mod_jserv is
>> another.
>
> you didn't understand my point. once you start to use php, you are
>locked into it's language.
In what way? Apache will mix and match pages of php/mod_perl/java
servlets/plain cgi and whatever else you'd like to add. In fact
it will do subrequests with <-- #include virtual that allow parts
of the page to be generated by different modules.
>>You use what you want. And unlike asp, these do
>> not lock you into a single OS on a limited set of hardware.
>
> they lock you into a even more limited set of hardware for linux, and
>overpriced offerings from sun and similar.
Huh? Linux runs on an S/390 these days. But the point is that moving
apache to big iron is a reasonable possiblility, where moving
asp is a dead end. Likewise if another hardware/OS combination
comes around offers better price/performance than NT, it is a pretty
good bet that apache will be there.
>> But you have sold your soul to the devil here. You have no
>> interoperability with anything that wasn't purchased from
>> Microsoft.
>
> but what if working in asp is so much nicer that the trade-off is worth
>the price?
Just remember that it is forever, and Microsoft may not always
be your friend.
>>Perl modules do most of the same things across
>> platforms. Java servlets run anywhere.
>
> but source you write in perl and source you write in java are not
>interoperabile. there is no easy way to reuse something you have writen in
>perl from java.
And no need to, since both are portable to other platforms and both
can work in apache pages.
>> >with asp you can use ado for your db access in a same way you can use it
>> >from a vb or vj or vc program. with php you use different method, from
>cgi
>> >scripts you use yet another, etc.
>>
>> With perl, you use DBI/DBD the same from anywhere, with java you
>> use JDBC and you aren't limited to a single vendor's OS.
>
> again, JDBC is about two generations behind ADO, and from java (non-ms)
>you are forced to use it. another example would be that you can't use JDBC
>from perl, or use your java wrappers around JDBC from perl. all this would
>be possible in COM world.
Again, there is no need for one language to use another's database
abstraction. They can simultaneously access the same database.
The COM world locks you into one OS on one machine. If you really
want portable objects spanning both languages and platforms you
need CORBA. I'm willing to live with just portable languages and
share things through files and relational databases where necessary.
>> >also, run time environment, transactional support you get with mts (com+)
>is
>> >simply not available with unix/apache.
>>
>> A database accessed through PHP, DBD, or JDBC provides this nicely.
>
>does not. you would need to use a transaction processing monitor line CISC
>or TUXEDO which are expensive, and probably not available or not very well
>supported under linux. but if you chose to use then, you can forget about
>PHP, since it would have no way of integrating with a tp monitor. with
>iis/asp it would be much easier to go from a normal component to a component
>that works inside MTX.
Are you saying that you could do transactions that span multiple pages
with asp and have something reasonable happen if the user doesn't
complete the interaction? What does mts provide that sql transactions
alone don't?
Les Mikesell
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Terry Porter)
Crossposted-To: comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy,alt.destroy.microsoft
Subject: Re: Windows is scary all right
Reply-To: No-Spam
Date: 17 Apr 2000 12:11:40 +0800
On Mon, 17 Apr 2000 09:58:19 +1000, craig <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>"Terry Porter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
>news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
>> On Wed, 12 Apr 2000 14:33:46 +1000, craig <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> >
>> >Or maybe the largest ISP (and coincidently, always rates as the "best,
>most
>> >reliable service" in user surveys) in Australia that is almost
>exclusively
>> >NT. I know its not fortune 500, but it is still large to say the
>least!!!!.
>>
>> Which ISP is this ?
>> I hope you don't mean Big Drip ?
>
>Why not? Still doesn't change the facts
Your facts are suspect to say the least.
This poster is referring to "Telstra", Australias ex telco MONOLOPY,
ex partner of Microsoft (MSN) and a company that makes *2 Billion* dollars
a year in a small country like Australia.
It's sad we don't have a DOJ in Australia, cause Telstra is so much like
Microsoft in their business practices.
Some examples of "best and reliable".
* local phone calls 24 cents each
* monthly line rental of $4
* reconnect fee (software enabled) $50
Their Big Pond ISP is expensive and not popular as far as I know.
Kind Regards
Terry
--
**** To reach me, use [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****
My Desktop is powered by GNU/Linux, and has been
up 2 weeks 17 hours 38 minutes
** Registration Number: 103931, http://counter.li.org **
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Terry Porter)
Subject: Re: Windows is scary all right
Reply-To: No-Spam
Date: 17 Apr 2000 12:13:58 +0800
On Sun, 16 Apr 2000 18:20:08 GMT, Roger <roger@.> wrote:
>On Mon, 10 Apr 2000 05:50:46 -0400, someone claiming to be Aaron
>Kulkis wrote:
>
>>craig wrote:
>
>>> So I suppose corporate e-mail is not mission critical -
>>> see(http://www.microsoft.com/exchange/55/news/Fortune1000.htm)
>
>>Typical microsoft-apologist -- attempting to redefine terms to
>>include microsoft as "ready for prime time"
>>
>>Will business come to a halt if your corporate e-mail balks?
>>
>>NO?!?!?
>>
>>then it's not *MISSION* *CRITICAL*
>
>For some businesses, it would and it is.
>
>>Did you know that IBM mainframes are so stable that most don't even
>>have an on/off switch?
>>
>>It's expected that if you are gonna actually turn the machine off, it
>>must be time to move it to a new location.
>
>It's also expected that if you need to make anything beyond trivial
>changes to the software or OS, it must be time to replace it. Your
>point?
>
Do you have a point "Heather/Steve/Keys88" ?
Kind Regards
Terry
--
**** To reach me, use [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****
My Desktop is powered by GNU/Linux, and has been
up 2 weeks 17 hours 38 minutes
** Registration Number: 103931, http://counter.li.org **
------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Leslie Mikesell)
Subject: Re: Linux for a web developer
Date: 16 Apr 2000 23:11:50 -0500
In article <8ddf5r$9u3$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
Davorin Mestric <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>> >on iis, thanks to com, you have plugable scripting languages, you have a
>> >nice debugger in interdev, you can easily and type-safely use other
>> >components in any language. equivalent functionality and level of
>> >integration simply does not exist on unix.
>>
>> Sure it does. You can just use server side java. Meanwhile,
>> with either solution you are not merely limited to the one
>> platform you happened to code it on.
>
>
>no it doesn't. if you use java then all your classes have to be in java.
Everything within a servlet may have to be in java but all of
your web pages don't. And the java does not have to be
running on the same machine, same CPU type, or under the
same OS as the web server.
> there is an advantage in the fact that you have to learn ado only once,
>then use it from vbscript and java program almost the same. in unix world,
>not that only such an api layer does exist, but also the technology to make
>it does not exist. so you are forced to use nonstandard db access from
>different tools.
We have very different concepts of 'nonstandard'. Apparently to
you 'standard' means 'something that only runs on Microsoft
Windows'.
Les Mikesell
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------------------
From: "Keith T. Williams" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Crossposted-To: comp.os.ms-windows.nt.advocacy,alt.destroy.microsoft
Subject: Re: We need a new subject was (Re: You anti-Microsoft types just don't get
it, do you?)
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 00:28:26 -0400
Dear Brian, did I say 1 word about Linux...I use M$ almost exclusively and I
bitch and moan about them all the time... however, it wasn't just the
sentiments about M$ that I was referring to, there are also the attitudes of
people towards other people in here (deserved or not) that can be taken into
account.
Personally, I don't care one way or the other about Linux (although I have a
friend who uses it and whom I rag unmercifully about it, but that's just for
fun)
I'm not actually sure where you posted your message, but I'm writing this in
the alt.destroy.Microsoft...
Keith.
Brian D. Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> I really was hoping to stay out of the fray, but I have to respond to
> this...
>
> "Keith T. Williams" wrote:
> > And since this is an anti-Microsoft NG, and since the feelings which
> are
> > expressed in here are rarely "good" Christian feelings <S>, perhaps
> we
> > should stop the biblical discussions. Have a good one.
>
> First, I'll concede that there is a lot of anti-Microsoft sentiment
> out there, most of which is independent of Linux. Remember the Mac v.
> Windows arguments of years past? Microsoft's agressive marketing and
> alleged strong-arm tactics with OEMs are what have generated a lot of
> that. But being a Linux advocate does not in itself make one
> anti-Microsoft. Despite the anti-Microsoft sentiment, I would not
> make stereotypes about Linux advocates.
>
> While I have advocated the advantages of Linux, I don't blindly
> advocate it, and I would hope the Microsoft advocates wouldn't do so
> blindly either. These platforms are tools (along with UNIX, Novell
> and others) to get IT work done. When you choose your tools, you have
> to weigh the pros and the cons, total cost of ownership, required
> admin skills & training, IT recruiting and retention, and the
> importance of the IT project to the business. I don't see a one size
> fits all answer; More often than not, its a mixed environment.
> Possibly with NT as the file and print servers, Mainstream UNIX (i.e.,
> Solaris) for the Database Servers, and Linux for internet applications
> (web, ftp, email, etc). Linux could in theory do it all for less, but
> most professionals I know want to give it more time to prove itself.
> (Some think it already has...).
>
> It seems to me that Linux's position in the market is the same place
> NT was a few years ago, when Novell was the dominant network OS. Now,
> it's Linux's turn to challenge Microsoft, and we benefit from the
> competition.
>
> Brian Smith
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
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------------------------------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Christopher Browne)
Subject: Re: Linux: which distribution?...what tools?
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2000 04:27:24 GMT
Centuries ago, Nostradamus foresaw a time when cadman2 would say:
>I'll soon be making the switch from my rickety Windows OS to Linux and am
>wondering about my options...
>
>I know there are a variety of Linux distributions each supporting various
>hardware drivers, but I don't know which would be best for me (interface,
>speed, security, etc.).
>
>I'm interested in using Linux for various web and programming
>purposes...should hardware support be my only deciding factor?
No. In the "long run," _all_ of the Linux distributions pluck, as it
were, from the same "rivers of source code." You may find that there
are short term differences in hardware support where the most recently
released distribution has a few drivers that the ones released a couple
months earlier don't have yet.
You _should_ consult the hardware compatibility lists for the respective
distributions. But in the long run (where 6 months is probably the
relevant period to consider), there are no important differences.
I would consider it far _more_ important to consider how you intend to
upgrade to newer versions of packages over time.
At this point in time, the distributions based on Debian, namely:
a) Debian <http://www.debian.org/>
b) Corel Linux <http://www.corel.com/>
c) Storm Linux <http://www.stormix.com/>
all have at base some tools that make it _trivial_ to do fairly massive
sets of upgrades to packages.
You add some entries to the file /etc/apt/sources.list to indicate
FTP or Web sites containing packages, and a couple command lines can
upgrade everything that has been updated recently. This allows you to
get whatever improvements or security fixes have taken place of late.
The other major alternative are the RPM-based distributions, notably
including Red Hat, TurboLinux, Caldera, and SuSE.
If development is your goal, I can suggest that you cross _off_
the list Corel Linux, as it seems to be oriented to "desktop" stuff,
eschewing most of the development tools.
Debian has a _massive_ number of development tools available; the SuSE
"boxed set" comes with about 6 CDs full of material that should include
almost anything you'd imagine.
TurboLinux seems to have considerable orientation towards web server
applications; there's likely some useful material there.
>I've also heard tell of different "extras" I should get like certain text
>editors, etc. Any suggestions?
There are two "religions" for text editors, vi and Emacs.
Both predate CUA, so that some of the editing model will _not_ conform
to what you'd expect from the IBM CUA model that Microsoft uses. On
the other hand, they _do_ support arrow keys and such, being not
_totally_ unfamiliar.
Emacs is big and extremely powerful. vi is rather smaller/simpler.
Suggestion? Head to one of the vendors of $2 CDs, whether LinuxCentral,
CheapBytes, LinuxMall, or such. (Toss on "www" and ".com" and you'll
find them on the web...) You can get several distributions for $10,
and try them out.
Get a feel for them, and then, I'd suggest, buy the full "boxed set" for
whichever one you find most suitable. That will provide you with some
further documentation, and should contribute a few dollars of support
to the ongoing development of that distribution.
--
Mail should be at least a mixture of upper and lower case. Devising
your own font (Devanagari, pinhead graphics, etc.) and using it in the
mail is a good entertainment tactic, as is finding some way to use
existing obscure fonts.
-- from the Symbolics Guidelines for Sending Mail
[EMAIL PROTECTED] - - <http://www.hex.net/~cbbrowne/lsf.html>
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