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
