(encouraged by these postings, I'll add my 5cents worth - since 2cents isn't legal tender anymore).
-----Original Message----- From: Roger Searle [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, 22 January 2004 06:26 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Purpose of the CLUG (encouraged by Douglas's first posting, here's mine) {snip} -------------------------- Preamble: Note to Roger & Douglas - I have asked a question on here and yes it was a stupid question (in that it *really* displayed my ignorance) but I was pointed in the right direction and given enough information to not only sort out my problem but get some ideas for some consequential system improvements. Background: I have linux installed as a server in my home network - Pentium II Celeron 300Mhz, 60Gb HD 320Mb RAM running Mandrake 9.2. My three kids each have an AMD 1.3Ghz 40Gb computer running either Windows 98 or XP Pro (my son upgraded his computer to reduce the crashes when running his games). I have three old pentium 120Mhz machines with 500K or 1Gb HD (24 - 40Mb RAM). I had the 24Mb 500K one of these set up as an IPCop firewall connected to jetstream router, one that was connected to the "orange" interface that I wanted to be a mailserver (never got near w, and the last was going to be my "linux command line play machine". I've moved to West Melton and can't get jetstream. My new home may not be easy to run network cable around. For my new business I bought a Brother MFC5200 fax/printer/scanner. So I'm a bit of a geek, but like others attempting to "get that stinking M$ outta the house" it's an uphill battle. Discussion: The biggest difficulty I have is working out what I need to get the result I want. The mail server for example: I wanted something that worked like M$ exchange - recieve all the mail from the internet (my ISP had my domain pointed to my static IP address) then be a pop server to the local network. I looked at several "Howtos" that seemed like they might be the right thing but none were exactly what I wanted and I'm still too much of a newbie to work out from them how to do what I want. So I don't know what packages I should be trying to get running, let alone how to configure them. Suggestion: What would be most useful to me in terms of a meeting would be a "Linux solutions" session. Someone comes up with a desired setup and several people state how they would use linux in this situation. So I could provide the list of available hardware, what I'd like to achieve with it, my resources to set it up (whether I have a budget for more hardware...) and end up with a few potential "system designs". Existing experts would get the opportunity to expound on their favourite distributions etc, and get ideas from others on how to "make things work". The desired setups can be as simple or complicated as there are people prepared to come to a meeting. regards Kerry.
