Re: hardware...
On Tue, Aug 24, 1999 at 12:43:18PM -0500, Don Custer wrote:
> To the good folks at Debian...
>
> I have two short questions which I hope can be answered with two short
> answers. I failed to find pertaining answers in the FAQs.
>
> 1. I am going to buy a new computer (to replace my 1991 dinosaur).
> I want it to be powered by Debian Linux. Are there any particular
> brands that are more friendly toward Linux? If it would make this an
> easier question to answer... are there any particular brands to stay
> away from? I don't want to end up with a pile of incompatible junk.
Stuff to consider:
* drivers don't exist for sound cards with Aureal chips
and the new Soundblaser Live.
* most PCI modems are winmodems, and some ISA ones are, too.
* video cards: stay away from 3dfx stuff, I'd recommend Matrox or
NVidia based products because both companies are actively working on
3D drivers for Linux and have been open about specs
* USB stuff other than keyboards, mice, and some printers doesn't work
and won't work until at least kernel 2.4, due at the end of the year
* Make sure your printer either speaks Postscript or PCL! Others might
be 'winprinters'
* SCSI scanners work and are supported the best
If you want to support Linux-based businesses, order a system from
VA Research (http://www.varesearch.com).
>
> 2. In regard to this Y2K frenzy... do you folks know of any reason
> (other than price) for waiting until after Y2K to buy a computer?
> I am referring to any problems in today's systems that I may not
> be aware of.
Nope..most of the problems seem to be in Microsoft's OS. Most BIOSes
have been compliant for quite some time. Because of the way Unix OSes
store time, a 32-bit computer is safe until 2038, and once we move to
64-bit processors, we'll be fine for a couple trillion years :-)
>
> Any insight will be greatly appreciated. I am not a Linux Guru. I have
> used RedHat. It's nice, but reminds me of Microsoft. I have also played
> with SlackWare, no complaints on it. But, after seeing the Debian system
> my son has setup on his computer... well... you got me hooked!
I've used Slackware, RedHat, Caldera, and Debian and I've been a happy
Debian user for 3 years. Debian is cool and with the Corel and Stormix
alliances, it can only get better :-)
--
Stephen Pitts
smpitts@midsouth.rr.com
webmaster - http://www.mschess.org
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