So what is all this linux crap I hear about?

Agreed, the purpose of this isn't really to be used as a single user, per say. I don't know if/when it will ever come to be, but there might be an instance where a project utilizes Linux for it's servers. As such, it will ultimately become like a learning instrument for me on the side. More so than that, when it comes to obtaining a RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) certification, it would be helpful to have hands on experience with it. Obviously it's going to take more than just fiddling around with the OS, but at least I can read up on it and see how things work.

Considering the exam is conducted on a real machine and will take two & a half hours to complete, it's definitely not worth going after the certification until I'm able to properly utilize it in a business setting. Either that, or I need a really sweet server room

 

I love it.

I also love Linux. Thanks to Debian, I have a modern operating system to run on the used Power Mac G5 tower I picked up (as you already know, ctrl ), and it likewise keeps other aging hardware viable as the commercial OS vendors rapidly abandon older platforms, probably in sweetheart deals with hardware vendors in the case of Microsoft, and simply to drive their own hardware sales in the case of Apple.

And yeah, the relative obscurity and security from viruses and such is an awesome little bonus.

 

Toy around with Cent OS, which as I recall is basically a build of all the RHEL code in a free distribution. Thus, it should function basically the exact same way. The only difference with the enterprise releases is having support from Red Hat, which you hardly need if you're just using something on your own to try and learn about it!

 

Yeah, that's what I figured, but I wanted to see if anyone else knew/heard the same thing.

I got it installed on a VM last night. I'm also working on getting my CCNA & CCNP certifications as well. Figured if I throw in a Linux certification on top of my Software Engineering degree with the two Cisco certs, I should be making pretty good head way into the future of technology.

Should be a fun year

 

It's funny you say that because several years ago (2009, to be exact), I heard reports of Microsoft working on developing a 128 bit OS. Which, at the time, it sounded like it would've been Windows 8. I watched vividly on this because I knew that even today's hardware, we can't even max out what a 64 bit OS can handle. So, to me, it seemed rather odd why they would be pushing for such a thing. Then I heard reports that they were working directly with Intel, AMD, and a few others, in trying to develop a chip that would be able to handle a 128 bit OS.

I'm all for pushing technology but if we can't peak at the level we're at, why not looking at maxing that out first? No point in developing something if we can't even get to the tip of our threshold now. However, it could very well be in Windows 9. Some info on it: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2009/10/microsoft-mulling-128-bit-versions-of-windows-8-windows-9/

 

Tivo runs on Linux, many people use linux without even knowing

 

It would work perfectly fine in either instance.

 

I tried to use Linux. Unfortunately, it didn't work with ANY of my networking cards, wired or wireless. So of course Linux doesn't get viruses - it can't get on the Internet!

I'm sticking with Windows XP, thanks.

 

I ran Ubuntu on one of my home network boxes for awhile. Never had a problem with it. I especially liked the updater....I think it was called synaptIc, because it updated everything(software and operating system) without a hitch.

I'm now thinking of installing the Zorin OS as a dual boot on my main Windows 7 box. The screen shots and testimonials sound good. And it's constantly being improved. Is anyone familiar with this OS? It looks a lot like windows. I have the ISO on a dvd disk and intend to install it soon. From past experience Installing a windows os next to any linux will bury the linux such that you can't access it on boot. But if you install a linux distribution(as a dual or third boot os) it will preserve the windows os partition and present it as an option in the boot linup. Anyway, the moral is, if you want a dual boot with windows and linux, just make sure you install the windows os first....and then the linux. (to another partition or drive of course).

 

Microsoft is doing this primarily both as a way to "future proof" future operating systems, as well as to prevent a repeat of what happened when 64 bit processors first hit the market.

The Athlon 64 came out in 2003, but Microsoft did not make a version of Windows to run on it until 2005. This meant that a lot of people who bought the most powerful home CPU of the era could not fully use it. Also in the early days there were competing 64 bit standards, until Microsoft standardized on the AMD one over the Intel one for consumer level operating systems (it did support the 64 bit Itanium for their server OS, but consumers do not use those).

I think they simply want to avoid this issue in the future. By developing the OS in advance, they can throw it on the installation disks along with the 32 and 64 bit versions, and it will be already in place when the new CPUs hit the market.

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I have to wonder what NIC cards you are using then. Because I have never had an issue with the mainstream versions of Linux recognizing my network cards (or most of my other hardware).

 

Somewhere around 2007-2008 I made the conversion to Apple due to the long and tedious process of virus infestation and the hours of searching to remove the crap. I have never had a problem since the conversion. However, the porn sites always give the best viruses. Xhamster seems pretty clean and I used to view Pornhub as clean. However, Pornhub had an interesting infestation a few weeks ago. While using Safari as the browser, the browser completely locked up do to a pop-up add. I tried every trick but the only remedy was rebooting. I repeated the process 4 or 5 times and it consistently locked up. I've visited Pornhub yesterday without incident. However, I would like to know what caused the locking due to the pop-up ad. I didn't try visiting the site with Firefox.

 

Ctrl, don't know if you had anything to do with the new updates fixing the wine sound problem, but OMFG am I glad. Linux has been very impressing (used it exclusively for a few months now). Why deal with anyone else?

 

If anyone is involved in education, as a student or teacher, they may want to have a look at Uberstudent Linux. I'm trying it out and it looks pretty good. Based on Debian and Ubuntu it's easy to get used to if you are familiar with either of those. I'm using the latest edition - 3.0 aka Plato - xfce.

http://uberstudent.org/