Linux Links

Computers

I created this page because I was about to add a bunch of links for to my computer page and realized that it was going to become way too big. So I have refactored some of my computer page into this page. This is where I am parking my Unix items.

My linux box is gone. I purchased a laptop computer last week to replace my Windows box and since I was only using my linux box for email and websurfing I decided to give the linux box to my mother in law who is currently on a PII-400.

6/4/2004

Well its been about two weeks since I installed Suse 9.1 and I am very happy with it. There were so many software packages that I installed myself in 8.2 that are standard in 9.1 that I just tarred up my home directory, low-leveled my hard drive and started fresh.

11/26/2003

I don't know if its the 8.2 release or the latest version of DbVisualizer but I got DbVisualizer up and running this weekend. I installed MySQL 4.0.16 last week and then used Rekall to create a test database and add some data. Then with DbVisualizer I was able to query the data. It was pretty cool. I created a Freeware Database section on my computer page with all these packages.

On another note I checked the Yoper site the other day and apparently the bad press paid off - Yoper is now a free download!! Their latest version is 1.2. If its anything like the 0.9 version its definitly worth the download but I am happy with Suse so I will stay with it - for now.

5/23/2003

Well I know its been a long time writing but I finally had time to collect my thoughts. I went back to Suse after Yoper released 1.0 and did not allow for free downloads. This may seem like a contridiction since Suse does not have a free download of ISO images but they will allow you to do an ftp install. Plus Suse was $80 for a 2 dvd set (or 5 cds) whereas Yoper was $98 for 2cds. So in buying Suse there was more bang for the buck.

Of the four Linux distros I have tried here is how I would rank them in order of preference.

Suse - It was the first Linux I tried that ran with all my hadware with no problems. To me it is more stable and more efficient than RedHat or Mandrake. Plus I found the YAST2 a far superior tool tho any other distro as far as updating the system.
Yoper - I really liked Yoper but I could not get past the "The release candidates are free but the full version is $98." It was like a slap in the face of all the people who used the release candidate and helped Yoper test their product. They have since allowed free downloads.
RedHat (8.0) - While it definitly had a leg up over Yoper on number of apps. Both Suse and Yoper were more efficient and more stable. RedHat was the only install that I actually crashed.
Mandrake (9.0) - While overall it was okay. In my opinion it needs the most work to make it an decent system.

3/2/2003

I switched over to YOPER yesterday. The plus on it is that it is compiled for 686 (vs Redhat which is compiled for 386). For most items I cannot tell much of a speed difference but the load is definitly lower. It should be noted that this is a release candidate so it is still in beta. Also there are several items missing (like CVS, or any shell besides bash). Overall my impression is still favorable.

1/10/2003

Well I tried Mandrake 9.0 and Redhat 8.0. Both installed okay - Which is a first for Mandrake as its last version failed to recognize my ethernet card and video cards. I finally went with Redhat though as I was able to get all my software up and running.

One thing I have noticed is that Redhat takes more resources to run and (though I have no data to back this up) seems to run a little slower. When compiling some of the software I was running it was not uncommon to see loads of 2.8 on the system - with Suse it rarely got above 2.0. Overall I like Redhat but if Suse gets rid of there problem with its libraries I would seriously consider going back to them.

Linux flavors (a VERY incomplete list)

Suse - This is the one I started with as it supported all my hardware. I am disappointed with the 8.1 release as I have to write a shell script around some of my installs (DBVisualizer is the biggie) and that does not always work.
Red Hat - The granddaddy of all Linux distributions. I originally shied away from this one because when I took the plunge and installed Linux I actually went out and bought the Professional versions of Mandrake and Suse to test. The combined cost of Mandrake and Suse were just $5 more than the professional version of RedHat (for basically the same software).
YOPER - Optimized for 686. It is very efficient but unlike the major vendors whose distributions include everything and the kitchen sink, YOPER is alot leaner. The only shell it has is bash (though you can add others). The big shock though was CVS was missing. Overall however I am impressed with it so far and can't wait for the 1.0 release. NOTE as of Jan. 2004 they are up to version 1.2 but I will stay with SUSE for now.

Emulation Software

bochs - Whereas most emulators simulate Windows, Bochs emulates a i586.

Updates and RPM's

Distrowatch - Contains information on 96 flavors of Linux. It also shows what versions of all the major packages that are in each version of that Linux and has links so you can download updates. A must bookmark site for Linux enthusiast.
rpmfind - Look up rpm's for some of the most common flavors of Linux.

Environments

KDE - This is the environment that I favor.
Gnome - While I do not use Gnome as an environment. I have used some of the apps from time to time.