Re: Pre-Beginner's post (convince me)
On (12/05/04 22:09), Clive Menzies wrote:
> On (12/05/04 16:45), Nathanael Hasbrouck wrote:
> > On Wednesday 12 May 2004 0409, somebody named Eric D. Hedekar inscribed
> > this message:
> > > Hi, I'm completely new to linux and I'm trying to bring some sense of
> > > clarity to it all. I want to run a dual boot system with OS9 and Linux
> > > on my Umax S900 (oldworld mac clone). The main purpose of my work on
> > > the computer is audio applications however I may/will want to setup a
> > > network and/or computer farm that involves old and new world macs and PC
> > > machines.
> > >
> > > What I'm wondering is which distribution of Linux to install. I realize
> > > that to each their own, but due to the overwhelming technical
> > > documentation and the lack of spare time that I have lying around I
> > > would like some help. Can someone point out the best reasons to go with
> > > say YellowDog, Mandrake, Gentoo, or Debian? What are the faults of each
> > > of these? I realize that pretty much everyone on this list will be
> > > running Debian and to tell the truth that's the one I'm favoring despite
> > > the seriously technical installation process, but could you please
> > > attempt to be unbiased if at all possible. Or if you know of a site
> > > that compares Distros that is kept up to date that would be much
> > > apreciated as well. Thanks.
> >
> > I'm going to attempt to be as unbiased as I can, but that might be a little
> > difficult because Debian is the only distro I've ever really used. :^)
> >
> > Two main reasons for that - I was originally going to install YDL here
> > (powermac7600) but after lurking for a while on both the YellowDog lists
> > and here on debian-powerpc I decided I like the environment better here.
> > I don't exactly remember why, and it might not be accurate (anymore/if it
> > ever was), but that's my recollection.
> >
> > The other reason was a comment by somebody somewhere (I think here, on
> > another 'what's the best distro' thread) that debian may not be the
> > easiest to install, but once you've got it going you know your system
> > pretty well. Which is true, but you will need some spare
> > time. :^) Having cut my (linux) teeth on debian, I can't say I'm sorry,
> > but it did take a little bit. Lurking on the lists for a few months
> > before hand and having a general familiarity with the CLI probably helped,
> > too.
> >
> > Oh yeah, and we can't forget the packaging system....after being used to
> > apt/dpkg/synaptic, I seriously don't know if I could live very long with
> > an .rpm based system. (But then, not having used one, I don't really
> > know. If I had to manage dependencies manually, no sir. If it's handled
> > mostly automagically, like apt-get, then I probably could.)
> I echo all of the above; my first install on a nubus mac took months but
> I'm hooked ;) I use Debian sid on my main G4 workstation (can't
> remember the last time I booted into OSX). The nubus mac is now a woody
> based file server; we have Intel boxes running Debian, Windows XP and 98
> and 333 debian servers provide file and print services to them all.
Ooops that should read 3 debian servers !
>
> I can't think of a good reason to try anything else ;)
>
> Regards
>
> Clive
--
http://www.clivemenzies.co.uk
strategies for business
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