>
> On Wed, 18 Jan 2012, Richard Owlett wrote:
>
> > Can that analogy be properly extended to families {Ford vs GM} compares
> to
> > {Debian vs Slackbuild vs Red Hat}[common repository structure] with each
> > having competing lines {commercial vs passenger} might compare to {CLI vs
> > GUI} and each having models {sedan vs mini van vs pickup} compare to
> > {Ubuntu vs Kubuntu vs Edubuntu} with all the above coming with various
> > horsepower (32/64 bit) and custom trim/apps.
>
> Yep. The linux professionals can comment on the specifics of the
> analogise, but those seem broadly appropriate to me.
>
I make no claims about being a "Linux Professional', but I do see one
glaring hole in
this analogy that I think is very relevant when comparing/contrasting Linux
distros. That is
the different package management systems.
I'm not sure how this fits into the analogy. Package management is
certainly not akin to trim or creature comforts. It might be more akin
to manual vs. automatic transmission including manual 4WD option.
All Debian based distros, of which there are many, use the .deb package
format and use the apt package manager. IMO and the opinion of many others
this is a very user friendly package management system that also has a few
GUI front-ends. This is the automatic transmission.
Then there is the .rpm package based distros. Red Hat and Suse are two well
know examples. Personally, I've run into a bit more difficulties using YUM
and sorting out dependency issues. Granted some of that has to do with my
intermediate level of Linux Administration skill level. This kind of like
auto transmission, but you have the option for overdrive or 4 WD. Meaning
sometimes you have to change gears yourself depending on the situation or
you could get stuck. Terrible analogy...
Then there is Gentoo and the Portage/Ebuild package management system. This
is the manual transmission with 4 WD where you have to get out of the
vehicle and lock the hubs. It's also a kit car because you custom build the
system to your needs. Not for new drivers of Linux.
I hope that serves to help in understanding some of the differences between
Linux distros...
Cheers,
Mike
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