Re: Pre-Beginner's post (convince me)
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.
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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