Having spent months getting into the nuts and bolts of Debian (which is excellent - though not for the newbie - yet) and some 4 years as a linux user generally, I have to say that with this release RedHat is so difficult to beat. After half an hour we had a system up and running that I am still miles away from with my Debian installation after months of messing. In fact I'm going to dual boot to RedHat 7.2 myself now. I would recommend to anyone out there considering giving Linux a go, spend the tenner at cheep linux or get someone to burn you a copy - or even support Red Hat and buy the boxed version, you too should be gobsmacked!!
What are the particular problems that you are having with Debian? I'm quite prepared to set aside a little time to come and trouble-shoot it for you if it helps, or even just explain things by email if I have access to equivalent parts here. I suspect others are too. Debian is quite nice, but it's still (at 2.2r4) a case of knowing the right parts to install, as the preselected combinations aren't quite up there.
Where RedHat still falls down, though, is at upgrade time. The lack of useful support systems for rpm (and indeed, I suspect that these are not possible because of the way rpm files are specified, but I don't have hard proof there) means that an upgrade seems to be effectively a reinstall. Debian is a lot harder to install, really, but you only install it once per machine, generally.
----- Original Message ----- From: "MJ Ray" markj@cloaked.freeserve.co.uk To: earl.brannigan@lindenhouse.co.uk Cc: "ALUG List" main@lists.alug.org.uk Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 1:47 PM Subject: Re: [Alug] Move over windows once and for all ??
I have to say that with this release RedHat is so difficult to beat. After half an hour we had a system up and running that I am
still
snipped
I would agree with Earl, the RedHat7.2 release is excellent, and great for a start. I installed it after struggling with an earlier (6.0) release, as it was recomended as a 'desktop' Linux. The difference was amazing - the KDE and Gnome desktops look really good. On my machine though (P133 with 64MB EDO) everything was a bit sluggish. The advice from this group (alug) to use Xfce or Icewm was perfect.Of the two I prefer the Xfce desktop (all KDE and Gnome menus available), just use the Icewm window manager for quick access to files. I'm also using Icewm as the window manager for the KDE desktop. With the really easy install of RH7.2 I wouldn't see a reinstall to upgrade as a problem. When this machine (or elements of it) becomes my second box I'd like to try Debian - sounds like even more fun.
Glen
Hi Mark,
What are the particular problems that you are having with Debian?
Thanks for the note. I wasn't complaining about Debian as such - far from it, I think I can get most things as I want them with Debian with greater stability etc - and I think your points about package management and upgrades are correct - besides - I really like Debian!!! - Eh I haven't had Mozzilla crash once!! now that takes some beating! (if only XGalaga would behave the same). The point though is when we are talking about Linux as a contender for the desktop. Here I think the comfort factor for the home user is a key component. And this is where Red Hat 7.2 really scores at this time. For me, if I wanted a singy dancy play-with-me kind of desktop setup then RedHat would get my vote. For the new-to-linux-just-climbing-out-of-Bill-Gates-pocket user a 1/2 hour from scratch to a stonking system is right up there in the Windoze user comfort zone. However as a slightly more experienced and 'interested' user then Debian remains first choice. There are a few issues still holding back my debian system, these are mainly due to the lack of time on my part. Though there are things you could help me with no-doubt and I'll let you know, Thanks very much for the offer. What I wanted was to bring my machine in at the last meet but I couldn't make it. I should make the next so hopefully then if anything has me genuinely stumped. Cheers Earl
[earl.brannigan@lindenhouse.co.uk] www.lindenhouse.co.uk Intellectual : Someone who can spend a whole day locked in a room with a tea cosy without once thinking of trying it on. Highbrow : Someone who can listen to the entire William Tell Overture without once thinking of the Lone Ranger.
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Earl Brannigan -
Glen Tyler -
MJ Ray