Posted: 9/15/2006 2:26:20 PM EDT
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It's been great for me and Mepis is the easy install of all, stuff just works. I ask because I see/hear all kinds of "help me, what do I do?" posts and always have to assume it's a windows box based on the problem. Not wanting to start any windows/linux crap, just curious. |
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I support Linux on Dell servers at work (tech support for Dell). We mostly support RedHat Enterprise. It's a great OS for servers. Linux is just so powerful for an enterprise application, that I really don't understand why many more people don't run it. Actually, I do know. The pool of talent out there (linux admins) is pretty small. Given that it's very esoteric in configuration and administration (for the most part), it's intimidating. For a desktop environment, I ran Fedora Core (4) for a while at home. Got it to play MP3s and eventually DVDs and most video formats. Firefox is a great browser, but sometimes getting plugins (like video players) to work is a pain. Resolving dependencies can be a PITA. So I think I'd be hesitant to use it as a desktop operating system, but I would not hesitate to use it as a server. |
My opinion is that it's fine for either purpose. I think the pool of expertise is larger than you think. ETA: Which building are you in? I used to do software dev / testing in RR 5. |
Not by the sheer amount of dumbass 'administrators' I get calling into my support group. |
Tons of servers are out there, server growth over the last few has been the highest in the industry. As a Senior Linux Admin I agree with the pool comment, esoteric in config - hardly IMHO (consider the source). What does FF have to do w/Linux? Try a Mepis live CD - I've got Linux noobs off and flying giving little help. Don't get me wrong, everything I have is dual boot. I use 2k, xp when Skype voice is needed, stay away from IE mostly and Outlook completely. I prefer using an OS that can be a LITTLE more of a pain to setup, (nearly) completely virus immune, troublefree, maintenancefree comparitively speaking. MS and Apple offer some kind of ability to run Linux now. The numbers are out there, I just thought some would be here also. Hope I don't sound pushy, not the intent at all. |
Why, when FreeBSD works that much better for me? 
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i've used several version of linux. i keep going back to fedora. its just easier for me because im still a linux newbie. it does all i need. web browser, email, im, bittorrent  . and ssh. sftp. and thats about it i've tried installed bsd and gentoo but i've never been able to get it installed. guess i just haven't spent enough time to figure it out. i tinker with the live cds when new ones come out link any other helpfull links would be appreciated 
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Used it for almost 14 years now. Most people that I know that run it don't need help and don't complain about it like the poor people that are forced to run Windows so you don't know about them. A lot of people use it you would never suspect. Probably 90% of our customers use it.
Ahhh, the company that decided to release servers without keyboard ports! A customer of ours got screwed by that. They have ten of them. You can't go into the BIOS to change the options so they can't get them to boot from CD. We had to install the OS on another computer then move the harddrives back to them. Of course the keyboards don't work until the OS loads the drivers for the USB controller and HID so if you have a problem before then you're screwed. The supervisor I talked to there claimed most Dell customers are such idiots that they have the OS preinstalled and if they have a problem they ship the entire server back to Dell or it is picked-up by a local repair guy so that they never need a keyboard. It's interesting to see how little respect Dell has for their customers. They don't even think they're smart enough to need a keyboard.z |
their should be a setting in the bios to enable usb support in dos. i don't have a new enough computer near me at the shop to see the exact wording but i'll find out for you. if dell doesn't have this option it should be released in a bios fix. that is total unacceptable edit : a quick google search bring up with usb legacy support. but in not 100% sure that will fix it edit again : well i found a system. its a standard mb though  under integrated perih's > onboard devices> it says usb keyboard support enabled or disabled
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they that is totally unacceptable  can you give me a model number or service tag. i'd love to blast them on this
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Apple's OS X is actually based on a version of BSD, so there not that much of an advantage to install LINUX on Apple hardware, though there are some distributions that will run on the older PPC architecture. Now that Apple has switched to Intel, I would expect it not to be too difficult to run any distro. |
OS X is the shit if you're a UNIX geek but need a little bit more "compatibility." |
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I'm using SUSE at work on a desktop box. I like it fine, but I use some apps that aren't available on Linux. And trying to get your normal accountant to use anything but Quickbooks or Peachtree is impossible. So, I have to use Windows boxes too. I tried Ubuntu too, but I wanted a "real" admin account in case I wanted to turn the box into a server. I think Ubuntu is an even nicer Desktop OS than SUSE. The application installer resolves dependancies better than any I have seen so far. |
True, that's what OSX is to me a very polished Linux. My Powerbook is the best computer purchase I have ever made. That said, I support 4 network test labs with roughly 1,000 pieces of equipment total including network gear. I have no idea how many of them are linux........... a lot. I'd guess close to 200. None of them are servers. |
You can enable the root account on that distro simply by editing /etc/shadow and taking the astrick out of root's password field and then changing the root password. If that's not what you're talking about then I don't know what you mean by "real admin account". -Foxxz |
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Here's what I've been using my linux box for today: Ahh, the memories
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Ubuntu has the screws to tight! I use Mepis which is A deb distro, uses alot of ubuntu stuff with a much more user adjustable interface (didnt like kubuntu for the same root issues). |
I don't see it as an issue or being too secure. Its not like the account isn't there. If you think about this distribution being geared for a desktop user which may not have the same experience running linux it makes sense. With the root account being disabled it closes a default username to try to break into. If the box is only going to have 1 user account then you have just decreased your valid logins by 50%  For someone who is a linux admin its 1 or 2 extra commands to re-enable it. Otherwise its just a more up-to-date version of debian. -Foxxz |
Thanks, Foxxz. I knew there had to be a relatively simple way to enable interactive root sessions. I didn't have time to screw around looking for it. SU is nice, but I understand that you aren't presented with the full complement of server configuration options in Samba when you SU compared to when you are actually logged in as root. |
It's all good man........ I have this thing about being corrected.  I do have a little bit of NetBSD love in me. Does that count? |
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My work laptop has to run windows for assorted work apps, unfortunately. But my main personal computer is a Power Mac G5. I do have a Knoppix LiveDVD that I fiddle around with on the windows laptop from time to time. I also tried sticking Unbutu on a spare computer, but I don't have much time to fiddle around with it. |
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Most my boxes are W2K... But I have 2 dedicated boxes running Ubuntu as EMC2 Platforms. ( Visit LinuxCNC ) I have a Dual CPU box I may switch over to a Linux server config. When I want to give myself a migrain I reinstall Gentoo! I run WinBORG XP on my gaming boxes (2) because the games are so dependant on DX9. |
EXACTLY. My primary home OS used to be Linux -- mostly Slackware or SUSE. I got fed up with network printing on Linux and also needed to run a couple of Windows-only apps for programming my ham radios, so I rebuilt my desktop as an XP box. Thinking about redoing it with FreeBSD and seeing if I can run the radio apps in WINE, plus adding a USB print server. The laptop (which I actually use more than the desktop) is an Apple iBook G4 running OS 10.4. It's desktop UNIX that just works. But if I need UNIXY stuff all I need to do is open Terminal.app. It's the best of both worlds, IMO. |