atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories What flavor of Linux?? and other not so important questions..

Ubuntu\'s site . Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

So what happened to your pursuit of digital photography?

Still doing some photography, but more for fun now. I was trying to make a part time living. I don't think there is such a thing as a part time photographer. Either you do it full time, or just as a small hobby. I suppose I should mention that I wanted to build a new deck, so I sold a couple of lenses to finance that. Probably a good thing since my wife found out how much money I had into equipment and I just wasn't ever able to convince her that it was all "needed" :toast:

The primary differences between linux distributions is the methodology used to connect all the dots. Linux is like Legos. You have millions of pieces and they can all be assembled in varying way. What the Distribution is is a method of assembling those lego pieces so that you have a common base to work off of.

They all start with the same pieces such as the Linux Kernel, GNU utilities, GCC, udev, etc. Where they differ is in how they compile or patch the kernel, which GNU utilities they support, where they put certain packages on the filesystem, how they layout the filesystem, etc.

Or, since I like analogies, think of it like getting a base-model car. Then lets say you give one car to Hennessy, another to Saleen, another to Shelby, and have them modify it. They will all do something different, but the pieces they started with will be the same. Similar kind of thing.

...and don't forget your free Non- OS software...

Open Office Suite

""Cheese is "always" free in a mousetrap""

nice tag line....

I think my goal is try to build this machine all with free software and see how I can do. Might change my attitude towards Linux a little bit.

The easiest thing to do with linux is a simple firewall with network file sharing. There are hundreds of walkthroughs for doing this with every linux distro out there. All you might need to invest in is a larger hard-drive. Once you do that you might as well set-up a simple web server too.

Once you do those three things you will have covered most of what linux is used for (in my opinion). The rest is all fringe stuff that is very application specific.

What do you guys think of Debian? My understanding is that I can actually load this flavor of Linux on to an older MacMini G4 that I have? Anyone done this?

Well, I did load Ubuntu on a PC and Debian on the Mac Mini. The Ubuntu was easy, the Debian was a bit more complicated, but that was probably due to the MacMini. Everything seems to be working fine on both, except the wireless card in the Mac Mini. I probably just need to do a search for one, but I probably won't use it anyway.

as you say kumba, a firewall is a great place to start, IPCOP back in the day was a good learning experience, adding modules was a challenge but fun. Ive since upgraded at the office to untangle, also quite fun.

for building a firewall, I need a machine with two ethernet ports, correct?