 DistroWatch Weekly |
| DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 201, 7 May 2007 |
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Welcome to this year's 19th issue of DistroWatch Weekly! The biggest news of the past week was the joint announcement by Dell and Canonical which promises to usher in a new era in the way we choose our systems in online computer stores - a brief analysis of the announcement and what it means for us follows. In other news, the Fedora project finally merges its two package repositories, Ian Murdock announces the end of Progeny, and NimbleX offers a never-seen-before web-based way of generating a custom Slackware-based live CD. Also in this issue: a featured article that presents two excellent resources for those who are interested in becoming more proficient in Linux and open source software. Finally, we are pleased to announce that the recipient of the April 2007 DistroWatch donation is the LyX project. Happy reading!
Content:
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| Featured Article |
Opinion: Learning Linux
What is the best way to learn Linux? As more and more computer users embark on their first tentative steps in an unfamiliar environment, questions like that often found their ways into the DistroWatch inbox. Is there a fast and painless way to learn about this alternative operating system? While there is no sure way of making quick progress and become instantly at home on a new desktop, as a maintainer of a popular web site dedicated to open source software, I thought I would share my own experiences with learning Linux by recommending two excellent resources. After all, there was a time when I was a complete novice myself.
 The first resource is a book called LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell by O'Reilly. Several years ago I used the first edition of this book to prepare for my LPI (Linux Professional Institute) certification exam and I found it an excellent resource. Although I was already quite familiar with Linux, by following the book, I learnt so many new things, I was astonished at how much useful stuff I had not known. Yes, it's heavily biased towards command line skills, which might be discouraging to some readers, but I honestly believe that only after learning the essential commands and becoming familiar with the underlying system you'll truly appreciate the power of Linux.
It took me about two months to go through the portion of the book that covered the LPI 101 exam. I did pass the test - not with a 100% mark (can you really remember whether the correct name of the command is "dmsg" or "dmesg"?), but I found it exciting to do the course, to find courage to sign up for the exam, and to confirm to myself that I really am a competent Linux user. The book I used has now been superseded by the second edition (released last year) and expanded to cover not only LPI 101 and 102, but also 201 and 202. Even if you'll never take the exam, LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell is a fantastic reference book to have around and to consult whenever you get stuck.
 The second resource I want to recommend -- especially to those who absolutely refuse to learn the command line -- is Linux Format, a UK-based magazine by Future Publishing. Now, I have to come clean and mention what many of you know already: I write a monthly column for the Linux Format. However, the fact remains that recommending it here won't bring me any incentives at all and the only reason I write for the magazine is because I honestly believe that it's the best English-language Linux publication available anywhere. I've been a subscriber to Linux Format since August 2000 and I've been writing the DistroWatch column in the magazine since late 2005.
The reason I recommend it here is that it taught me a lot over the years. Unlike the above-mentioned LPI Certification book, this is a magazine with many tutorials for graphical applications, including office and graphics suites. Sure, there are also parts that are written for programmers and hard-core geeks, as there are those for absolute beginners, but most of the articles are geared towards your average Linux user who simply wants to be productive and get the work done. Best of all, the magazine carries very little advertising, so if you are used to one of those mainstream technology publications where the advertising-to-content ratio is about 100:1, you are once again in for a pleasant surprise. Linux Format really is good value for the money.
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| Miscellaneous News |
Dell chooses Ubuntu, Fedora merges core and extras, Progeny closes shop, NimbleX offers web-based generation of live CDs, OpenBSD and 64 Studio interviews
 The biggest news of the past week was of course the announcement by Dell that it would soon start selling desktop computers and laptops with Ubuntu 7.04 pre-installed. This announcement was greeted by much excitement in the Linux community. Not only is Dell the largest manufacturer of computer desktop and laptop systems in the world, it is also the first major PC maker that dared to stand up to Microsoft and its aggressive drive to prevent PC manufacturers from selling anything other than systems with a compulsory Windows license. Although it appears that the Ubuntu-based Dell PCs and laptops will initially be offered in the United States only, this is nevertheless a promising move that has a potential to create a snowball effect, with other PC manufacturer following Dell's lead.
Why is Dell doing this? Of course, we all know that the big PC maker has been struggling financially in recent years, so the decision to sell Linux computers is probably an aggressive (and fairly risky) attempt to gain some mindshare among Linux supporters, many of whom are technological enthusiasts and are therefore often consulted by their less computer-skilled peers and family members. Like IBM or Novell, who didn't always enjoy the best of reputations until they embraced Linux, it is quite possible that the public perception of Dell will soon be transformed - from being just another computer manufacturer to representing a company whose products will be enthusiastically recommended by most Linux supporters.
The second equation in the deal is Ubuntu. Dell's decision to ship this relatively new operating system was obviously based on the market survey which the company conducted prior to the announcement, but even if it wasn't, it is a good decision. Ignoring some of the smaller distributions that don't have the necessary power behind them (not to mention regular release schedules and clearly defined support periods), Ubuntu is the only major Linux distribution that continues to do everything possible to make Linux desktop a reality. Maybe it's still not perfect and maybe there are those of you who dislike its ubiquitous presence in the media. But one thing you have to admit: Ubuntu is probably responsible for bringing more computer users to Linux than any other distribution before. Without Ubuntu, our Linux world would be considerably less exciting.
So let's give Dell a big pat on the back for its courage to go where no other big PC manufacturer has gone before. Now bookmark this page and check it out whenever you need a new Linux-based PC or a laptop!
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 The long-promised merge of Fedora's core and extras repositories is finally under way: "Merge is going well now. A bunch of hiccups early on as we moved our test scripts into acting with real bits and databases and such, but now that that's over..." As for the hiccups, Jesse Keating explains: "We're scrambling to create ppc64 builds of all the extras packages, as those didn't exist before, but now they will be built for ppc64. Also we need to hook up some software to make rawhide appear. It may just be in package repo form (not installable) to begin with, we'll see. I wouldn't expect anything this weekend." For more information about the merge and other Fedora topics, please check out the latest issue of Fedora Weekly News.
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 As has become customary after every release, ONLamp has published an interview with several developers of OpenBSD responsible for some of the technical innovations in the latest version: "Q: Who should we thank for porting OpenOffice? A: Porting OpenOffice (OOo) was a group effort. It is a monster of an application and the largest port we have in the ports tree by far. In the end the majority of the porting and debugging work was performed by Robert Nagy and Kurt Miller. Robert inherited Peter Valchev's initial work, setup a local CVS repository and build machine and provided access to Kurt so we could collaborate on the porting effort. After fixing some initial problems the build would complete but, soffice wouldn't launch. Debugging this monster proved quite difficult. After some rather extensive debugging sessions Kurt found the reason soffice wouldn't launch was because of a missing file that is created in the packaging phase of the build." The 2-page interview starts here.
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 Speaking about interviews, here is another one. Daniel James, the project director of 64 Studio, has spoken to Linux Format about the specialist, Debian-based distribution designed for digital content creation: "Q: Why would someone choose Linux over a proprietary solution? A: There are many reasons: the ability to study, repair or improve a particular program is useful to those musicians who have the necessary skills, or are prepared to learn. For some people, it's a matter of protecting their personal investment in learning the detailed operation of a program. For example, Logic [Pro, a MIDI sequencer] users on Windows were screwed over when the Windows version of the application was suddenly killed. For others, it's simply that they can't afford proprietary audio software. And finally, because it rocks!" Read the rest of the interview here.
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 Progeny, a Linux company and a distribution of the same name, announced last week that it was closing down with immediate effect: "We are sorry to inform you that Progeny Linux Systems, Inc. ceased operations April 30, 2007." Founded by Ian Murdock (of Debian fame) in 1999, the company initially built and sold a more user-friendly alternative to Debian, before discontinuing the distribution and focusing on consulting and technical support of Debian and Red Hat systems. In 2004, the company once again returned to building distributions by launching Progeny Componentized Linux and announcing an industry-wide consortium of Debian-based distributions under the name of DCC Alliance. Unfortunately, after several development releases, the Progeny distribution was once again abandoned. Earlier this year, Ian Murdock announced that he had decided to join Sun Microsystems as a chief OS platform strategist. He recently criticised the Debian project for being too inflexible and for allowing Ubuntu to run away with Linux "mindshare" (as well as market share).
Progeny Debian 1.0, with Linux kernel 2.2.18 and GNOME 1.2.4, was released in April 2001.
(full image size: 693kB, screen resolution: 1280x1024 pixels)
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 Bogdan Radulescu, the developer of the Slackware-based NimbleX live CD, has sent us an email about an interesting new way of building a fully customisable live CD: "I think that for the first time now you can create your custom live CD directly from a web page." The first beta version of the web page that allows building the CD went live last week and is available for testing at custom.nimblex.net. All you need to do is to select your packages, then click on the "Generate my NimbleX" button to create the ISO image. But the author warns that download speeds of newly generated NimbleX CD images might be far from ideal: "Unfortunately the bandwidth and the server has limited resources but maybe some day I will have something better!"
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| Released Last Week |
GoblinX 2.0
GoblinX 2.0 "Standard" edition has been released: "The GoblinX Standard 2.0 (2007.1) is released. The GoblinX Standard edition formerly known simply as GoblinX, is our primary and oldest live CD. This release follows the Premium 2007.1 edition and starts the second generation of the distribution. All new features and upgrades prepared for the Premium edition are included, including a new functional Magic Center which works with Xfce and all graphical user interfaces. In comparison with Premium released in the end of last month, this edition adds 'probesata' cheatcode and SATA modules support to initrd and also corrects a small error in the GoblinX installer." Visit the distribution's news page to read the complete release announcement.
OpenBSD 4.1
OpenBSD 4.1 has been released: "We are pleased to announce the official release of OpenBSD 4.1. This is our 21st release on CD-ROM (and 22nd via FTP). We remain proud of OpenBSD's record of ten years with only two remote holes in the default install. As in our previous releases, 4.1 provides significant improvements, including new features, in nearly all areas of the system." OpenBSD 4.1 is available for two new platforms (landisk and sparc64), provides hardware support for many new devices, including many Ethernet and wireless network cards, and includes a range of new tools and various functionality improvements. Please read the full release announcement and product page for a complete list of new features.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.5
Red Hat has announced the release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4.5, the fifth update to RHEL 4 series: "Red Hat is pleased to announce the general availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.5 (kernel 2.6.9-55.EL). This update includes the following enhancements: RHEL4 paravirtualized kernel for i686 and x86_64 and installation of paravirt RHEL4.5 guests; updated kernel support for Infiniband; NFS performance metrics; EDAC for Opteron; diskdump support for sata_nv and ibmvscsi drivers; netdump support to 8139cp driver; CIFS updated to 1.45; clustering application support through dm device ioctls.There were several bug fixes in various parts of the kernel." This is the first RHEL release with the new "point" numbering (instead of the old "4 Update X" version numbers). Please read the release announcement for further details.
Litrix Linux 7.4
Litrix Linux is a Brazilian live CD based on Gentoo Linux. After several months of development, the stable version 7.4 was released over the weekend. Highlights: support for writing to NTFS partitions; support for wireless networking; compiled for the i686 architectures; pre-installed NVIDIA drivers; support for 3D desktop features with Beryl; support for battery control on notebooks; K3B for CD and DVD burning. Litrix Linux 7.4 is built on kernel 2.6.19 and includes X.Org 7.1, KDE 3.5.6, Firefox 2.0.0.3, Thunderbird 1.5.0.10 and other popular open source software applications. Please visit the distribution's home page (in Portuguese) for more information and a screenshot.
Ubuntu Christian Edition 3.0
Jereme Hancock has announced the availability of Ubuntu Christian Edition 3.0, now based on the recently released Ubuntu 7.04: "We are very excited to announce the release of Ubuntu CE v3.0 (Feisty). The main change is, of course, that this release is based directly on Ubuntu 7.04 'Feisty Fawn'. The most visible addition is the Daily Bible Verse displayed on the desktop. This is accomplished using gDesklets and the Bible RSS desklet built specifically for Ubuntu CE. The theme and graphics have all been updated. This includes the addition of translucent backgrounds for the Gnome panels. This gives the desktop a much more polished look. We have also enhanced the theme integration to ensure a consistent Ubuntu CE look and feel." Read the rest of the release announcement for more details.
trixbox 2.2
A new version of trixbox, a CentOS-based distribution that enables users to quickly set up a VOIP Asterisk PBX, has been released: "The trixbox team released the final version of trixbox 2.2 today. This is a much improved version of trixbox 2.0 featuring the following: easier upgrades to future versions; enhanced call data reports; new network interface manager; enhanced dashboard; new system status administrator screen; the latest versions of Asterisk and Zaptel; support for all Digium, Rhino and Sangoma hardware; enhanced Endpoint Manager (now supports Polycom, Linksys, Aastra, Snom, Grandstream, and Cisco)." Here is the brief release announcement for more details.
MCNLive Delft
MCNLive Delft, a live CD based on Mandriva Linux 2007.1, has been released: "A new edition of MCNLive, code name 'Delft' is out. It is a fun release based on Mandriva Spring 2007.1, lacking any office or work-related software packages that would seriously distract your mind. A portable Linux live system for CD or USB drives, with some smart wizards to get the best out of a live system. Add software, set it up on your pen drive, run it entirely from RAM, write to NTFS partitions, create your own version on-the-fly, switch languages, make all changes persistent. KDE 3.5.6 with a set of Internet, music and video applications, games and more: Opera 9.20, Midnight Commander, K3b, gnomad2." Visit the distribution's home page to read the full release announcement with screenshots.
Scientific Linux 5.0
Connie Sieh has announced the release of Scientific Linux 5.0, a distribution rebuilt from source packages for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and enhanced with a variety of additional applications: "Scientific Linux 5.0 i386 is now available." Some of the extra applications include: "CFITSIO - a library of C and FORTRAN subroutines for reading and writing data files in FITS; FUSE - an implementation of a fully functional file system in a userspace program; Graphviz - graph visualization tools; IceWM - a lightweight window manager; Intel wireless firmware, MadWiFi and NdisWrapper; Java; MP3 support; OpenAFS; R - a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics...." Please read the complete release notes for further details.
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Development and unannounced releases
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| Upcoming Releases and Announcements |
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Summary of expected upcoming releases
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| DistroWatch.com News |
April 2007 donation: LyX receives €260
We are pleased to announce that the recipient of the DistroWatch.com April 2007 donations is the LyX project. It receives €260.00 in cash.
What is LyX? "LyX is a document processor that encourages an approach to writing based on the structure of your documents, not their appearance. It is released under a Free Software / Open Source license. LyX is for people that write and want their writing to look great, right out of the box. No more endless tinkering with formatting details, 'finger painting' font attributes or futzing around with page boundaries. You just write. In the background, Prof. Knuth's legendary TeX typesetting engine makes you look good. On screen, LyX looks like any word processor; its printed output -- or richly cross-referenced PDF, just as readily produced -- looks like nothing else."
LyX - the document processor.
As always, the monthly donations programme is a joint initiative between DistroWatch and two online shops selling low-cost CDs and DVDs with Linux, BSD and other open source software - LinuxCD.org and OSDisc.com. These vendors contributed US$50.00 each towards this month's donation to LyX.
Here is the list of projects that received a DistroWatch donation since the launch of the programme:
Since the launch of the Donations Programme in March 2004, DistroWatch has donated a total of US$12,990 to various open source software projects.
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Translations of the Top Ten Distributions page
The Top Ten Distributions page is now available in five languages: Dutch, English, Italian, Russian and Spanish. Many thanks to Herman Meester (Dutch), Giorgio Beltrammi (Italian), Victor Serbin (Russian), Darío Burstin (Spanish), Jorge Luis Suarez (Spanish) and Marcos Lagos (Spanish) for their hard work. Translations to other languages are most welcome - if you'd like to help, please email your work to distro at distrowatch dot com (preferably in plain text format using UTF-8 encoding).
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New distributions added to waiting list
- cl33n. cl33n is a live CD based on Debian Live with a single purpose: it boots and launches the Firefox browser. It offers a virus-free, spyware-free, personal environment for Internet banking, emailing, social networking and any other online activity.
- Knoppix-NSM. Knoppix-NSM is dedicated to providing a framework for individuals wanting to learn about Network Security Monitoring (NSM) or who want to quickly and reliably deploy a NSM capability in their network.
- Univention Corporate Server. Univention Corporate Server (UCS) is a Debian-based server distribution. The "special thing" about UCS is its well integrated web front-end for single- and multi-server architectures for configuring services like LDAP user administration, Samba, Kerberos domain, DNS or DHCP. The project's web site is in German only.
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DistroWatch database summary
And this concludes the latest issue of DistroWatch Weekly. The next instalment will be published on Monday, 14 May 2007. Until then,
Ladislav Bodnar
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| Reader Comments • Jump to last comment |
1 • Dell makes Ubuntu OEM (by Joey on 2007-05-07 10:50:29 GMT from United States)
Looks like the beginning of the end for Dell.
2 • Ubuntu on Dell Machines (by ctyistudent on 2007-05-07 10:55:40 GMT from Ireland)
I can not wait for this. I am holding of buying my next machine until this becomes a reality even though i really need one. Hurray for Ubuntu!
3 • Ubuntu and Dell... and now Microsoft (by Sander Marechal on 2007-05-07 11:02:26 GMT from Netherlands)
Well, so much for that party. Microsoft is here to watch closely what Dell is going to do (and provide IP "protection"):
http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/86623/index.html
4 • Learning Linux (by Snowman on 2007-05-07 11:19:51 GMT from United States)
Ladislav, I couldn't agree with you more about Linux Format (LF) magazine. I liked it so much that I became a subscriber about a year ago. I started to read Linux Journal a couple years back and that was really though to understand for a new user. LF has taught me more in this past year than I learned in the past 3 years using Linux.
5 • Dell's regional policy (by Anonymous on 2007-05-07 11:26:27 GMT from New Zealand)
Although Dell might not want to install Ubuntu in all of its markets, there should be no reason why it can't stop installing Windows on new systems in all markets and leave room for user installations.
6 • Dell joining MS (by Snowman on 2007-05-07 11:29:09 GMT from United States)
Did we really need another reason to dislike Dell? For a brief instant they showed hope when adopting Linux and then they turn around and join MS. Michael, WHY????
7 • Lyx (by richo123 on 2007-05-07 11:33:24 GMT from United States)
Congratulations, Ladislav on supporting Lyx. I have used it for all my papers in the last five years. Wonderful software! The new 1.5 release promises to be even better.
8 • Ubundellsoft (by Rob B. on 2007-05-07 11:35:56 GMT from United Kingdom)
Well, fair play to Dell. Like it or not, Linux could really benefit from the push of a main stream wholesaler.
I only hope that their Linux boxes don't come with a bright label proclaiming: ' Microsoft approved. This machine is covered by Genuine Sleep Easy Protection (R) racket policy'
;-O/
9 • Linux Format (by rprice at 2007-05-07 11:47:58 GMT from United States)
co-sign on the Linux Format. There is no other magazine that compares. A little pricey but you will get your moneys worth if you were to subscribe.
10 • Linux kernel (by Ohnonymous on 2007-05-07 11:57:25 GMT from United States)
Wow. They've gone from 2.2 to 2.6 in the past 6 years. So much improvement in so little a time span.
11 • RE: 10 (by yanik on 2007-05-07 12:22:00 GMT from Canada)
yep, it represent 81 releases;
2.2.0 to 2.2.26
2.4.0 to 2.4.34
2.6.0 to 2.6.21
12 • Dell / ubuntu (by tr on 2007-05-07 12:26:47 GMT from United Kingdom)
I am glad things are moving forward. Even though ubuntu has problems and is very unstable on my laptop, I hope this partnership will help to iron out the issues. For the 1st time I really started considering Dell as my next PC (I was always going to go apple:).
13 • RE:1 (by Eddie Wilson on 2007-05-07 12:37:08 GMT from United States)
Why do you say that this is the end of Dell?
14 • Linux kernel (by Rammstein Rules on 2007-05-07 12:37:27 GMT from United States)
The linux distros using the 2.6 kernel are so good that i will not
even consider using that piece of cow dung called Vista.
15 • Dell and Ubuntu (by Spanky on 2007-05-07 12:39:12 GMT from United States)
Although I'll never buy a Dell because of political reasons, it is good to see a computer company embracing Linux. Hopefully other companies will follow suit. Ones that I don't mind giving my money to.
16 • 3 and 6 (by Linux Realizer on 2007-05-07 12:39:13 GMT from United States)
#3 and #6 - Get real. Did you guys even read the article. All Dell did was purchase SUSE Linux server licenses.
Let's look at Dell in a broad sense.
* Getting ready to offer a computer line with Linux 'pre-installed'
* Dell purchases a server from a Linux distribution
* Dell is the first major OEM to sell a Linux desktop
* Dell has excellent supply-chain management and can offer good value to their customer
* Dell is willing to take on Microsoft and Intel by not using their products and offer alternatives (Not many of the other 'major' OEMs are willing to do this
I'm tired of people reading the headline of an article and coming to conslusions without reading the article. Just because someone purchases a product from Novell or Dell doesn't mean that they are tightly integrated or that Dell is acknolodging the Microsoft/Novell linux patent crap. It just means that Novell is purchasing SUSE Linux server to install on their computers for their customers.
17 • Mandriva Spring 2007.1 (by SimoneDice on 2007-05-07 12:43:41 GMT from United States)
I wanted to wait until I've tested Mandriva Spring for awhile before I jump to conclusions or write a recommendation only until I realize that it was wrong.
Mandriva Spring is an awesome distribution and a great version for Mandriva.
History: I've been using Linux since 1998 without a Windows partition. Not dual-booting, or using Mac or any other distro, just Linux and I've installed virtually every distro on the DistroWatch 100 plus some.
Mandriva Spring is a great version for Mandriva and a great Linux version. Anyone who hasn't tried Mandriva for a period of time is really missing out.
18 • Dell (by SimoneDice on 2007-05-07 12:46:13 GMT from United States)
I for one will also be purchasing a Dell desktop because I want the further adoption of Desktop Linux. I don't like Dell computers, and I don't necessary like Dell as a company. However, by purchasing a desktop will help further get Linux installed on the desktop by other large OEMs (Lenovo, HP, Toshiba, Sony, etc.). If you want to get OEMs to adopt Linux on their computers, I would recommend purchasing a DELL, even if it is just a cheap one that can be used to test new distros and or set up as a small server.
19 • Re: 18 (by Spanky on 2007-05-07 12:50:09 GMT from United States)
I think you're right. I should probably just purchase a cheap one to show my support. Politics can take a back seat to Linux on this one. Thanks!
20 • About It All (by FaustCoder on 2007-05-07 12:56:11 GMT from United States)
Well great to see that Dell is going to be using linux. Anyways nimblx has stolen its idea to make live cds on the server from slax. As a constant user of slax the main dev has been wanting to do that for a while.
21 • Dell Website (by Oh Well on 2007-05-07 13:02:14 GMT from United States)
Ladislav, First off, I hope I am wrong, but I must have missed something on the Dell website you suggested we bookmark. I saw no mention of the Ubuntu OS in relation to any of the computers that they highlight on the 'Linux' pages! FreeDOS for gosh sakes! We are supposed to leapfrog from there to Ubuntu? And, oh BTW, a lot about Red Hat and Novell (and its ugly cousin SUSE) and the WONDERFUL relationships they have with Microsoft.
If this is the face of Linux to come, last one out turn the lights off. Give me a break....
22 • re: #16 (by Geoff Gigg on 2007-05-07 13:07:31 GMT from Canada)
Um, they did more than "just purchase SUSE Linux server licences". The goal, as stated in the article, is not to win new Linux customers, but to convert non-Dell Linux users to SUSE. In other words, to bring existing Linux users into the Novell-Microsoft "collaboration".
This fits right in with Microsoft's long-term goal of legitimizing only one version of Linux, one that belongs to a company rather than the community, a company they can compete with - or control.
Rick Becker, Dell: "This move is a huge success for the industry and, more specifically, for customers who haven't purchased Linux through Dell and who want to migrate to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for the IP assurance and interoperability benefits."
23 • msn money (and dell's website) say they signed with MS for suse (by Eli on 2007-05-07 13:08:08 GMT from United States)
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2126611,00.asp
24 • No subject (by Rogelio on 2007-05-07 13:10:55 GMT from United States)
Al thou I agree with you about the books you choose. I have to say the best way to learn Linux is to use it. The more you use it the more you learn.
25 • #22 (by Linux Realizer on 2007-05-07 13:14:01 GMT from United States)
If what you said was true, then Dell would have chosen SUSE SLED to install on their desktops instead of Ubuntu which is far from the Microsoft-Novell deal.
So, what you wrote has really no merrit. Plus, Dell is also continuing to sell Red Hat Linux, which as far as I can tell, is also far from the Novell-Microsoft deal.
So, as I stated before, Dell is purchasing licenses to sell SUSE server to their customers. Whether Dell gets more profit from their deal and will pursh harder to sell SUSE is a different story. That is the goal of every company - to maximize revenue.
However, since Dell is continuing to sell Red Hat on the server, and is just starting to release Ubuntu on the desktop, they are not helping Microsoft to legitimize only 1 linux Desktop and are not in the level of collaboration as the article or you say that Microsoft and Novell are.
26 • WPA on OpenBSD? (by ozonehole on 2007-05-07 13:33:08 GMT from United States)
I read the linked ONLamp interview (OpenBSD 4.1: Puffy Strikes Again), and almost fell out of my chair when I saw this:
-----------------------------------------------------
ONLamp: What is the status of WEP/WPA/WPA2 support in OpenBSD 4.1?
Jonathan Gray: Most if not all drivers support some kind of hardware or software WEP. There is currently no working WPA support. WPA builds on 802.1X which in turns builds on EAP which came about due to PPP. Developers using wireless networks tend to prefer using authpf(8) for SSH based access control and IPsec if they require encryption.
From what I've heard, WPA is a compatibility nightmare...So there are a few problems, one is that no one is terribly interested in developing the required code for it
------------------------------------------------------
Am I reading this correctly? There is no support for WPA in OpenBSD? Or is it that I just don't understand what Jonathan Gray is saying (possible, I admit).
For such a security-conscious OS, I find it hard to believe that WPA support isn't a priority. Yes, I realize that there are other solutions such as IPsec, but I'm still very surprised.
27 • DELL (by KimTjik on 2007-05-07 13:42:58 GMT from Sweden)
There seems to be a dose of paranoia when it comes to Novell and MS. Whatever it finally might mean it looks like company-wise decision from DELL to protect oneself and at the same time keep more than one door open; getting MS both comfortable and maybe a bit ambivalent, and at the same time give the Linux community a helping hand. When it comes to business I think some Linux users have to forget about ideology and politics when it comes to a question like this: be pragmatic and make necessary maneuvers when it becomes necessary.
Actually I think there's another good side of getting DELL interested in Linux. If the Linux community asks hardware manufacturers for better cooperation and support, I'm not so sure it has the necessary weight, at least not as often as wished for; but if DELL would say: "hey, we need you to get this piece of hardware compatible with our Linux box here!", I'm inclined to believe it will have a stronger impact. I don't know if it's a valid conclusion, but it's what I wish for.
Generally I'm not a big DELL fan - I prefer to build around my own selection which I'll give support for - but from a practical point of view it has the potential of creating more good than bad.
28 • Dell & Ubuntu (by Luke on 2007-05-07 13:55:17 GMT from United States)
Distrowatch makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
I've never had a problem with Dell desktops, but their laptops are a whole other story. I'm going to be moving sometime this summer, and I was planning on selling my current desktop and building a new one. Now I might just have to buy one of these Ubuntu-preinstalled machines from Dell. I just hope they don't screw it up by charging more for the Linux desktop than the Windows one with the exact same specs, 'cause then I'm back to building my own.
29 • Learning Linux (by Karl LaFong on 2007-05-07 14:02:23 GMT from Germany)
I've not seen 'Linux Format' but for those readers who can read German or who prefer to read such things in German (because it is their native language, or whatever) I mention two magazines that are for 'beginners': 1) 'easyLINUX' (www.easylinux.de) - for the true beginner; 2) 'linuxUSER' (www.linux-user.de) - for those a little more advanced, but still quite beginner-oriented. From your description of 'Linux Format' it sounds like these two are more or less of the same type and target the same level of user. I used them for my introduction to linux and sometimes still pick up a copy today.
30 • Linux Format - NO DVD option please! (by MET on 2007-05-07 14:18:29 GMT from Canada)
I hope LXF will consider a 'no dvd' option with a slightly lower cost. I've been a subscriber for a couple years, but I don't need the DVDs shipped to me. Any savings for those of us in North America would be great. MET
31 • Univention Control Center (by Rahim at 2007-05-07 14:26:46 GMT from Ecuador)
Any idea where the Univention control center comes from? Is it open source? I don't understand German, but it looks pretty comprehensive. It might be a nice addition to one of the big name distros, if it was possible. http://www.univention.de/fileadmin/uni_grafik_elemente/kuickshowySX0xb.jpeg
32 • dell! (by random guy at 2007-05-07 14:32:44 GMT from United States)
yesssss i have been wating forever for this, it is the beginning of the end ;)
33 • Dell and SuSE (by BhaKi on 2007-05-07 14:59:07 GMT from India)
Dell supporting SuSE is, in fact, good. You can look at it this way:
If you buy a Dell hardware that comes pre-installed with M$-shit, you are stuck with that. It may or mayn't work with Linux because there is no official reason to expect your hardware to be compatible with Linux. On the other hand, things are different in the linux world. Compatibility between your hardware and a Linux-based distro depends on the kernel version used by the distro and on nothing else (unless the distro-maker omits a few kernel modules deliberately). There is no such thing like - a distro-maker creating drivers. It's technically meaningless because drivers are part of the kernel, right from it's source stage. (Some of you might have raised your eye-brows by now, "Nooo... I have seen linux drivers in separation". The fact is that all that is done is by those driver installers is to insert kernel modules). So if you buy a Dell hardware that comes pre-installed with SuSE, you can be sure (from a technical standpoint) that it is possible to install on your hardware some other distro that has the same version of kernel as the pre-installed SuSE. So technically, you are NOT stuck with SuSE.
34 • dell & linux (by ray carter at 2007-05-07 15:08:35 GMT from United States)
I hate to sound so negative, but Dell has offered Linux on 'select computers' for many years. About five years ago we got several Dell workstations (dual 1.8ghz xeon) with RedHat installed. I notice that in the latest announcement, they have said they will offer Ubuntu on "select models" - I hope that does not mean "high end" as it always has in the past. We need that option on entry level machines and, as another poster noted, for less than the same machine with MS.
35 • Cl33n (by Justin Whitaker on 2007-05-07 15:17:38 GMT from United States)
That is a fantastic find! I was looking for something like that.
Open source rocks.
36 • Dell and OSS as it is now (by bernstein on 2007-05-07 15:44:53 GMT from Switzerland)
well until now, i didn't notice how much Dell charges for Windows XP SP2.... i figured it would be around $100, but how wrong i was... they charge at least $270 more for the exact same Laptop with Windos XP SP2 or Vista Business !!!
granted, this includes Office 2003/2007 Basic and Adobe Acrobat 8 Std, but you can't choose not to take them... but well if one wants to compare Windows with Linux, those apps are necessary.
Now even if you replace your old Box you could save those $270 because you probably already own a license.... clever MS....
But the good news, is that a the same Laptop running Ubuntu should come in at least $200 cheaper than it's Windows sibling. If Dell is taking Linux seriously this could mean a challenge for Windows....
37 • addendum (by bernstein on 2007-05-07 15:46:43 GMT from Switzerland)
well this is for the Dell Latitude D620 compared to the D620N which comes with FreeDOS only
38 • #25 Simple warning (by Linux User on 2007-05-07 15:49:52 GMT from United States)
Remember: When you sleep with dogs, expect to wake with fleas.
I've read the article and I don't agree with your analysis. Dell will be pushing SUSE licenses on new and existing clients. But I do agree with the fact that Dell is entitled to make a profit no matter what or who they jump into bed with. The company is losing money and any scheme they care to try to make money is valid.
I just wonder how long will it be before Steve Ballmer accuses other computer manufacturers of stealing Microsoft's intellectual rights?
39 • Missing News: openSUSE Survey Results (by Anonymous on 2007-05-07 15:52:27 GMT from Germany)
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-announce/2007-05/msg00000.html
40 • Dell's BIG Mistake Choosing a Distro WITHOUT Proprietary Codecs (by Rob on 2007-05-07 16:05:19 GMT from Canada)
I think Dell made a big mistake choosing a distro that does NOT come with proprietary codes out of the box. It will be a big support headache for Dell since that average comuter user does not know a lot about linux (and hoe to install Windows Media, QT, MP3 codecs etc).
There are distros that have licenses for these codecs. In my view, Dell should have chosen one of these distros.
Or perhaps Dell made a deal to install not only Ubuntu but also the Fluendo Codecs on select Dell PC's. We can only hope.
41 • Linux Format needs a no-disk version (by Davey on 2007-05-07 16:05:40 GMT from United States)
Ladislav, maybe you're in position to lobby Linux Format to offer a diskless version. I agree that it's a great Linux magazine, but in the US it runs to over $20 per issue. I asssume that's mostly due to the included software disks, which probably most people don't need because they can download newer versions of the packages from the Net.
I'd subscribe in a minute if the price wasn't so out of range.
42 • @ #1 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-07 16:12:35 GMT from Aruba)
Take your trolling ass elsewhere. Linux is Linux, no matter how you twist it, and Dell is one of the few big OEM's that has the BALLS to implement it. Instead of bitching, let's see what *you* did for the Linux community!
43 • #41. Where are you buying (by snowman on 2007-05-07 16:26:16 GMT from United States)
Where do you get Linux Format? At the closest bookstore I get it for $17 an issue. The subscription brings the price to around $11 an issue.
44 • Way to go Dell!! (by Jennifer Stuart on 2007-05-07 16:35:53 GMT from United States)
I've been a Linux fan since the old days of Corel Linux. After Corel gave up on Linux I ran Mandriva for years until switching to Ubuntu recently. It's not hard to see why Ubuntu is #1 on Distrowatch with Ubuntu's ease of use & polish. I am very happy to see Dell pick Ubuntu and will buy an Ubuntu PC from them once they hit the market to show my support for a OEM PC with Linux pre-installed.
45 • Gentoo 2007.0 out now (by teo on 2007-05-07 17:21:34 GMT from Italy)
GENTOO 2007.0 finally OUT
http://gentoo.inode.at/releases/
probably not official yet
46 • re #25 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-07 17:22:25 GMT from Canada)
No, it's not a "conspiracy" where evil Dell is conspiring with Novell and Microsoft, and therefore every action they take furthers this one agenda. I didn't intimate that, nor do I subscribe to it.
It's an incremental process where Microsoft extends its influence and control bit by bit, as any company (and especially one as competitive as this) seeks to do.
Dell is acting in their own interests. If it happens to coincide with Linux users, then that's just serendipity. Some will be positive, some will be negative.
Using SLED as the desktop base would cost Dell licence fees. Ubuntu comes for essentially free. So when they market it, they can sell for slightly less than an equivalent Windows PC, and still have a higher margin.
Server customers are different. They expect to pay licence fees, support etc. Dell is taking advantage of the certificates to increase their market share. For them (as it was for Novell), it's all about revenues and the tough times they are currently in. Red Hat is part of their strategy now. It may not always be (who knows when their agreements run out), and having RHEL among their current offerings doesn't preclude the negative effect of their just-taken actions. It just means there's no diabolical plot. (Microsoft is patient. Small wins will lead to bigger things.)
It's all about self-interest. That's natural. And it results in many conflicting actions and strategies. But that doesn't mean we should excuse or turn a blind eye to those particular actions that are not good for the community as a whole.
47 • re #46 (by Geoff Gigg on 2007-05-07 17:24:24 GMT from Canada)
Forgot to sign my name to #46.
48 • Dell and Linux (by Tazix on 2007-05-07 17:54:32 GMT from United States)
Well... I have little interest in the desktop side of things since I build my own rigs and wouldn't be caught dead with any brand-named PC.
However, on the laptop side of things... that's a different story. It's very difficult to get parts to build your own laptop, and not very cost effective (parts-wise), compared to the desktop segment.
So, when Dell offers a good sub-notebook (the less than 3 LB ones), I will definitely buy a Dell to support the linux movement (even if I end up changing the distro).
That said.... I think most enthusiasts build their own PC's, so I'm not sure how well this is going to pan out for Dell in that particular market. Sure, they'll recommend a Dell pre-installed Linux desktops to their friends and family that aren't overly computer savvy... but I think the laptop market will far outpace the desktop market, when it comes to pre-installed linux / certified hardware for linux.
People will still run Winblows to play their games, though. MS still has that market cornered, and cedega / crossover / wine isn't the answer. Another reason that the laptop market will probably outpace the desktop market, IMO... most people don't use laptops for gaming. (though it is viable on a lot of high end laptops nowadays)
49 • Linux Format, Dell (by fstephens on 2007-05-07 18:03:06 GMT from United States)
I agree that Linux Format is way too expensive! I don't need the disk either.
As for Dell & Linux, I have hope, but any new relationship with M$ is troubling.
Don't trust them for a second.
50 • Linux Format Question (by Draca on 2007-05-07 18:03:23 GMT from United States)
If you are not British, how do you pay for a subscription to the magazine? I only see pounds sterling mentioned on their Web site and no gizmo to convert pounds to USD or any other currency for that matter. So, how do we pay for it exactly?
51 • Comment 50 reply (by Matt Townsend on 2007-05-07 18:43:28 GMT from United Kingdom)
Just use your credit card - pay in pounds sterling and let the credit card company do the rest. That is what I do when buying stuff from USA or mainland europe for delivery to UK. I have found that my credit card has better exchange rates than most other forms of exchange
52 • Learning Linux (by Roger on 2007-05-07 18:52:00 GMT from United States)
Good tip (#29) from Karl LaFong on EasyLinux and LinuxUser magazines! Articles more than a year old are archived for download at:
http://www.easylinux.de/Artikel/ausgabe/2007 — [June 2003-May 2006]
http://www.linux-user.de/ausgabe — [June 2000-May 2006]
The LinuxUser articles are often available in English in attractive PDF format — sometimes with slightly less detailed text. The English may lag behind the publication of the German versions. English archived at —
http://www.linux-magazine.com/Magazine/Archive
Those who are studying German will enjoy how easy it is to pick up on computer terms auf deutsch when the same article appears in both formats. The articles seem to be written originally in German. I've not seen where a person ever has to log in or resort to BugMeNot where any of these three magazines are concerned. All three are quite good.
Viel Spaß noch,
Roger
53 • Linux Format is Expensive!? (by emyers on 2007-05-07 19:12:56 GMT from United States)
I've been using Linux for over a year now and I've been looking for a good Linux magazine. Linux Format looks great, but when I went to subscribe I found out it costs 90 Euros or $122 US dollars per year! Sorry, but how do you they expect people who want free software to pay $122 for a magazine!?
54 • Dell chooses... Microsoft (by Arthuro on 2007-05-07 19:47:17 GMT from Canada)
Dell Signs on With Microsoft-Novell
http://www.physorg.com/news97732755.html
55 • RE #50 Linux Format USA (by Soloact on 2007-05-07 20:10:05 GMT from United States)
I just recently subscribed to Linux Format (LXF), and live in the USA. When you pay for the subscription via your credit card, you are charged in British Pounds. Your credit card company does the conversion to US Dollars for you, based on the current international exchange rates. Some credit cards charge a small fee for doing the exchange, but it's only a few dollars. Here is a link to their subscription page:
http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/home/mpurchase.asp?m=793&src=W019
Their subscription page is from myfavouritemagazines, because LXF is published by FUTURE (Futurenet), which publishes many different computer magazines for several OSes.
Up until my subscription, I could find LXF at my local Borders bookstore. I'm sure other bookstores would have it, too, if they get other foreign (outside the USA) magazines for their customers.
56 • Not about to buy Dell (by Arthuro on 2007-05-07 20:13:13 GMT from Canada)
Oops! I saw there were lots of comments about Dell's switch to Microsoft-Novell. I suppose this will suit Ladislav fine, as he is a great promoter of Novell. Personaly, I couldn't care less about companies that deal with Microsoft to escape the /limitless suits/ -- sure! -- other distros could endure.
Screw Novell, screw Dell!
57 • Dell (by voislav on 2007-05-07 20:18:44 GMT from Canada)
It's a shrewd move for Dell, they get a lot of free publicity and don't have to spend on support, which is done by Canonical. If it helps them sell any extra PCs, good for them. Nice thing for me is that my university has an exclusive deal with Dell, so all computers have to be from them. Finally I won't have to do the old format c:
58 • Dell not losing money (by Dimitri on 2007-05-07 20:59:06 GMT from United States)
Just a clarification here - Dell is not losing money, as some posters have suggested. While recently-ended Q4 2006 revenue and income declined, the company's net income stood at $673 million. When you compare that to the same period the previous year, when net income stood at $1.01 billion, that's pretty disappointing to Dell and to Wall St. If a company can't produce ever greater profits, Wall St. punishes. But, the company isn't losing money.
59 • Re: Linux Format is Expensive!? (by Ariszló on 2007-05-07 21:08:19 GMT from Hungary)
You do not seem to know the difference between Free Software and freeware.
60 • LPIC Level 2: Free online book (by Hans Kwint on 2007-05-07 21:11:13 GMT from Netherlands)
Like 'LPIC level 1 in a Nutshell', there is a book about LPIC level 2. The difference is, it's (only) online and it's for free.
It's here: http://snow.nl/dist/xhtmlc/index.html
Thought I should mention it.
Best,
Hans Kwint
(Voluntary LXer writer / editor)
61 • Linux Format has little competition in the US (by eco2geek on 2007-05-07 22:43:36 GMT from United States)
Looks like Linux Format costs about £60/year in the UK, which is comparable to its price in the US. Unfortunately, there isn't much competition in the US, where most magazines about Linux seem to be aimed at IT professionals, not desktop users.
There's another good European Linux magazine, with a tad more of a technical bent, named Linux Magazine (http://www.linux-magazine.com/). They have a "$15 for 3 issues" introductory offer.
Speaking of computer-related magazines (even Windows-centric ones), if you grew up reading PC Magazine, and want to comment on its current state, the editor's asked for input on "How's PC Magazine working for you?". So far, it's not pretty. (To get there, go to pcmag.com, click on the "Discuss" link, then on "Contact PC Magazine Online", and then, finally, on the "Is PC Magazine Working For You?" topic. They do make you register in order to post.)
62 • Dell does Linux (by CombatWombat on 2007-05-07 22:58:06 GMT from New Zealand)
And HP does Vista. http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39429
Good on Dell for thinking outside the square, trying something new. Their biggest competitor HP could learn a thing or three.
The one thing I am afraid of with Dell doing Linux, is that it will make such a bad job of it, that it will drag Ubuntu's hard-earned fame through the mud, and linux with it by association. It will be interesting to see if they pre-install crapware on the machines too, as they do to every other MS box.
63 • Linux Format vs Linux Magazine Pro (by paul on 2007-05-07 23:21:34 GMT from United States)
Both of these magazines are expensive and come with DVDs I never use. Are they worth the money? I think so.
For me, Linux Format is the better one. It's more tightly packed with stuff I can use. But Linux Magazine Pro has an answer column by Klaus Knopper, and I turn immediately to that page when the issue arrives. Of course, I read Ladislav's Distrowatch column... but why read monthly what you can get weekly here?
Shipping is first rate. My issues always arrive perfectly in tact (tho sometimes later than the newstand versions). And for anyone in the US who has subscribed to Euro-mags, you often wonder how wild dogs could have savaged your issues in transit.
64 • Hmmm! (by Tony on 2007-05-08 00:52:29 GMT from Denmark)
I agree completely about the value and quality of LXF - but who remember the trailblazer? The best Linux Mag ever, in my opinion was 'Maximum Linux'. I'll never understand how they could kill that one. Fortunately, there was LXF and they had the good taste to take on a few of the ML staff. LXF had a fair bit of ML's crazed approach - though not at all enough! I've never driven a Rolls Royce, but I'm convinced that ML was by far the best product in Human History!
And thanks for the book tip!!!
Tony. . .
65 • #63 - LFM & LPM (by ray carter at 2007-05-08 02:53:39 GMT from United States)
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I just started a sub to Linux Pro mainly for the monthly DVD. I keep telling myself I'll download this distro or that distro just to give it a whirl - but I never find time. With the DVD I can simply plop it in and go. Love the articles and columns too, BTW - but mainly really interested in the DVDs.
66 • #64 - Yeah, I remember Maximum Linux (by eco2geek on 2007-05-08 04:43:33 GMT from United States)
But they weren't around for long - late 1999 to early 2001 with bi-monthly issues, IIRC. The same company still puts out Maximum PC magazine in the US, which is pretty Windows-centric, but has the same gonzo attitude (and comes with a sometimes-useful cover CD).
I like the idea of cover CD's and DVD's (especially when they give away useful commercial software for free). For some reason, very few US magazines have them, and when they do, they're usually full of junk. OTOH, many (most?) British computer magazines come with them. But it would be nice if they would lower the price by omitting the DVDs.
When Debian 3.1 came out, my local bookstore had half a dozen copies of Linux Format with Debian on DVD. By the time I got there, the magazines were still there, but the DVDs were all gone, apparently stolen by Debian lovers with low bandwidth.
67 • Ubuntu on Dell (by Mr. Pink on 2007-05-08 05:38:11 GMT from United States)
Dell plus Ubuntu will fail. Before signing up for this M. Dell should have looked at bugs on launchpad. Over 30000 open bugs. Many of them while acknowledged are still ignored. This whole endeavour will die the death of thousand cuts unless Dell puts together a team of bug-fixers. Ubuntu people don't seem to be concerned since fanboys will eat it up as is.
68 • Computer troubles (by ladislav on 2007-05-08 05:44:40 GMT from Taiwan)
I have some bad news: the motherboard on my main PC collapsed during a power failure yesterday. I need to get a new one and while I am at it I'll probably upgrade a few other things as well, so this is what's going to keep me busy for the next day or two. In other words, if DW doesn't get updated with news as fast as usual, it's because I am only keeping half an eye on the site from an oldish spare box running Debian. I hope everything will be back to normal by Thursday latest.
Maximum Linux - yes I enjoyed it too while it lasted. I still have an issue from June/July 2000 with lots of news about Corel, Storm Linux, new Netscape 6, etc. How times have changed....
OK, I am off to do some hunting for a new mobo.
69 • No subject (by JohnRoberts on 2007-05-08 08:44:45 GMT from Greece)
The news that Dell is adopting Ubuntu are good for Linux, but I'm a bit puzzled...I read in the news that Dell is also joining the Novell-M$ partnership (...which should suggest a turn towards SuSE...). Is this a parallel development or what??
70 • RE: Dell Website (by Limulus on 2007-05-08 09:07:41 GMT from Canada)
"Oh Well" wrote: "I hope I am wrong, but I must have missed something on the Dell website you suggested we bookmark. I saw no mention of the Ubuntu OS in relation to any of the computers that they highlight on the 'Linux' pages!"
I think he meant http://www.dell.com/ubuntu
71 • RE: No subject (by Limulus on 2007-05-08 09:15:53 GMT from Canada)
"JohnRoberts" wrote: "The news that Dell is adopting Ubuntu are good for Linux, but I'm a bit puzzled...I read in the news that Dell is also joining the Novell-M$ partnership (...which should suggest a turn towards SuSE...). Is this a parallel development or what??"
AFAIK, the SUSE computers are servers while the Ubuntu ones are intended to be used as Desktops and Laptops. See also:
http://www.dell.com/suse
http://www.novell.com/news/press/dell-joins-microsoft-and-novell-collaboration/
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-06MSDellNovellPR.mspx
72 • Dell moves (by JohnRoberts on 2007-05-08 09:24:35 GMT from Greece)
Limulus, tks for the input...It is clearer now...
... short joke about M$ newborn (in Greek): it is called ΣVista (with the addition of the greek sigma letter in front of the word Vista). It is pronounced "Svista". In greek "Svista" literally translates as
"Delete them!!!" ;-D
73 • # 72 (by Steve on 2007-05-08 12:56:03 GMT from Italy)
< In greek "Svista" literally translates as "Delete them!!!" >
In italian "Svista" means "mistake", appropriate as well. ;)
74 • #72 , #73 (by esters on 2007-05-08 13:03:37 GMT from Latvia)
Vista in latvian means chick (as for female type of chicken) :)
75 • Dell/Ubuntu (by Anonymous on 2007-05-08 16:20:01 GMT from United States)
Why Ubuntu ?when there are many better distros ,such as PcLinuxOs or SuSe which would be better for users new to linux, which is suposed to be the intended targets. I think Microsoft wants Dell to use Ubuntu so when newbees try it,they'll say "Man Linux sucks big time" then they'll go back to windows.
76 • RE: 75 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-08 17:41:20 GMT from United States)
Here we go. I was wondering how long b4 someone would bitch about why they didn't pick PCLinuxOS or anything else. It's all about money, simple.
77 • re:75-76 (by beany on 2007-05-08 20:40:52 GMT from United States)
I've never been pleased with Ubuntu but I am pleased that Dell took heed of the request for a Linux flavored Dell Pc and they simply chose what the majority asked for. It's that simple. Ubuntu is a very popular distro and it's the one chosen. I would be happy to purchase a machine with Ubuntu, it would in fact assure me that any other Linux choice would just plain work. Just be glad that they did not chose "GodBuntu" the Ubuntu for Christians.
78 • RE: Dell/Ubuntu (by Limulus on 2007-05-09 00:52:05 GMT from Canada)
"Anonymous" wrote: "Why Ubuntu ?"
Dell launched its Idea Storm site and there was a huge push for preinstalled Linux: http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/61771 To clarify what distros were actually in demand, Dell had a survey asking specifics. 80% of respondents wanted Ubuntu: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-6180419.html
Plus it doesn't hurt that Michael Dell uses Ubuntu on one of his home machines ;) http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/biographies/en/msd_computers?c=us&l=en&s=corp
"Anonymous" continued: "there are many better distros ,such as PcLinuxOs or SuSe which would be better for users new to linux, which is suposed to be the intended targets."
Actually, no; the intended targets are people who already know how to use Linux. There will be no phone support offered on these systems; again, as per the survey: http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=284 To quote:
"A majority of survey respondents said that existing community-based support forums would meet their technical support needs for a tested and validated Linux operating system on a Dell system (as opposed to first-class Dell technical support)."
What's very nice though is that these systems will be cheaper than the equivalent Windows systems (and that's officially, as per a Dell spokesman). See: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/314124_dellfolo03.html
(my logic for exactly how that works is in the comments of http://vista.blorge.com/2007/05/05/dell-says-linux-will-be-a-cheaper-option-than-vista/)
And if you don't like Ubuntu (which it must be remembered is is free and thus probably the closest thing to a no OS home consumer computer from Dell), you can install any distro you want on it and all the hardware should just should work if it has at least the same Linux kernel version.
79 • Taking 12 Live Linux Distos for a Spin on an Acer Aspire 1644wmli notebook (by Peter on 2007-05-09 04:07:46 GMT from Australia)
Notebook specs:
Product Information
Acer Aspire 1644WLMi - Pentium M 760 2 GHz - 15.4" TFT
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_1644WLMi__6480479
Processor
Processor: Intel Pentium M 760 / 2 GHz
Data Bus Speed: 533 MHz
Features: Enhanced SpeedStep technology, power-optimized processor system bus, Execute Disable Bit capability
Chipset Type: Mobile Intel 915GM Express
-----------------------
Looking for 3 essential features: auto or easy setup/recognition of Screen resolution (1280x8000@60hz), CPU frequency and battery power control and monitoring.
Ubuntu, Kubuntu failed the screen resolution test and I did not go any further into testing (1024x768 was the default resolution they were stuck in and could not move from there)
Open Suse 10.2 Live Dvd also failed the screen resolution test, it recognised the chipset but would not setup correctly. Though I like Suse 10.2 because it has the best fonts and is the best behaved when installing on a pre-formatted ext3 partitions (unlike Ubuntu and its derivatives). The KDE 4 Live Cds - could not even get to login.
Knoppix 5.1.1 failed Screen resolution test.
Puppy Linux 2.1.4 - passed screen resolution test but no CPU frequency or battery power control.
Mandriva 2007 spring edition did not automatically setup the correct screen resolution but was easily setup with the HardDrake tools. I didn't notice any easy setup for CPU frequency and power control (though it may be there).
Sam 2007, being a derivative of Mandriva (via PCLinuxOs) was the same for screen resolution but could not see any easy CPU frequency or battery power control setups.
** Mepis 6.5 (KDE) fully passed all the requirements but the graphic chipset and screen type were not cleary identified (1280x600@60hs was automatically setup). CPU frequency and battery power control was also easily setup.
** Fedora 7 RC4 (Gnome) pased the screen resolution test (auto detected and setup correctly) has "ondemand" CPU frequency control and also has battery power control.
*PCLinuxOS 2007 (KDE and Mandriva derived) passed the screen resolution test in the same way as Mandriva and Sam 2007 (via HardDrake) but it has very good CPU frequency and battery power control too.
*** Mint 2.2 (Gnome) won the day because it automatically detected and setup the correct screen resolution, it has easy to setup "ondemand" CPU frequency control and monitoring and it also has easy to setup power and battery charge control and monitoring.
The extra bit going for it is that it has a graphical display of the state of the volume level and sound mute function keys (Ubuntu 7.04 has these also) when these are activated.
NB: All the distros function correctly with the basic function keys..
Cheers,
Peter
80 • Adding new Distro's to Distrowatch (by John Biles on 2007-05-09 09:27:26 GMT from Australia)
Hello Ladislav,
First of all Distrowatch is the best site around for info on Linux.
The only problem I have is that the form to fill out for submitting a new Distro isn't up and running yet. Please can you get it going so that new Distro's can be added to Distrowatch as quickly as is possible.
Thanks John Biles
81 • No subject (by Anonymous on 2007-05-09 16:15:42 GMT from United States)
> SuSe which would be better for users new to linux
If you say so...
> which is suposed to be the intended targets
According to whom?
If you don't like Dell, you can go with HP. Oh, wait. HP doesn't offer Linux for home users.
Well, go with Gateway. Wait, that doesn't work either.
Well, there's always Toshiba and Acer. No, actually they don't offer Linux for home users either.
Gee, it looks like maybe Dell is not such a bad option.
82 • Mandriva reviews (by Alex on 2007-05-09 16:39:41 GMT from United States)
I installed Mandriva Spring on my year-old Dell Dimension with 160 GB HD, 1 GB (Reported as either 1008 or 896 MB, depending on app I use) RAM, and a 2.66 GHz Celeron about a week ago. The only serious problem I had was with the installer, I had to go to with text mode. This is where my partition planning paid off from previous Mandriva installs (2006.0). I chose to use existing partitions, installed KDE, and was pretty happy with what I had, just about everything works out of the box for me, except for KDE4 preview installation, I had to force the installation of a Strigi lib. It happened to be renamed, and that broke the dependency scripts. All the 3d desktops work as advertised. I was concerned I may not have the power to run them, but they were fairly smooth - looking. I did not have the time to get too deep in, but my initial impressions were favorable. So I don't quite get why the 3d desktops did not work for the reviewer, she had more powerful hardware than I do. BTW, I tried Mandriva 2007.0, but went back to 2006.0. For some reason, just about everything was crashing in 2007.0, so I'm glad I waited for 2007.1. I'm happy with Mandriva 2007.1 Spring, it addressed a lot of my gripes, and fixed the crashes from 2007.0... go figure.
83 • Linux Pro Magazine (by PePa on 2007-05-09 22:34:20 GMT from Canada)
Just to say that my trial subscription to Linux Pro Magazine (3 issues plus DVDs) was $9.95.
84 • re: 75 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-10 03:27:36 GMT from United States)
You could be right. But it could happen with other distos too. A friend at work bought one of those cheapo PC's at Evil Wal-Mart and it came pre-loaded with Linspire. At first I though cool, another person switching to Linux. But a few days later, she said she returned the PC and bought a Windows box somewhere else because she couldn't get her DSL to work with Linspire. D'oh! Of course the DSL provider didn't help much, they told her they didn't support Linux. But it was her first exposure to Linux...and now she says she doesn't like Linux because of her DSL problem.
85 • re: Linux Format (by Anonymous on 2007-05-10 03:32:34 GMT from United States)
Linux Format is amazing! I picked up an issue at Barnes & Noble here in the US and was very impressed. Lots of how-tos at a variety of skill levels. And stuff I can use at home and at work.
I used to subscribe to the American Linux Magazine, but that was mediocre and is getting worse. And they added some guy named Jason Perlow who loves Windows! Hello, it's supposed to be a Linux magazine!
I am saving up to subscribe to Linux Format, but in the meantime, I'll pick up an issue now and then.
86 • re-84 (by beany on 2007-05-10 13:18:36 GMT from United States)
then she bought $59 Anti-virus protection....which she didn't update before she started cruising the net and checking her e-mail. Then her Windows box was full of kooties and went real slow ...but dsl worked but she didn't realize she was sending thousands of virus bits to her friends but you were safe.
87 • somthing new about mandriva (by glyj on 2007-05-10 13:21:12 GMT from New Caledonia)
read in the Cooker mailing list, from the CEO of Mandriva:
«Hi all,
2007 Spring is now released for a few weeks. 2007 Spring is probably one
of the best Mandriva Linux release in years and I want to thank all the
teams, and also particularly all the cooker contributors, who have
worked for long months on this project.
The distribution is solid and has greatly benefited from the additional
2 weeks of tests we put into polishing the result. And it shows: reviews
are good and sales are solid.
We are now taking a short break before the next run: Mandriva Linux
2008. But during this break, we are making several changes in
preparation for the next release.
First, I'm reorganizing the teams in the Engineering, promoting Anne
Nicolas as Engineering Director. Anne was previously leading the
Corporate team. She brings not only strong professionalism, but also a
clear community minded approach. She will involve all the engineers in
the Brazilian team, who can now play a central role in building the
distribution. She will be in charge of the development of all the
Mandriva Linux releases.
Second, Anne is working with the teams to draft the technical roadmap
for the 2008 release. This roadmap will also contain a set of guidelines
for contributors work. This is the starting point for discussing and
adopting requirements expressed by the Cooker community.
Third, Anne will organize the work and enhance the Mandriva policy for
contributors.
Mandriva is proud and honored to have one of the oldest free software
community for distribution editors, one of the largest and one of the
most open, with key contributors working on many of the core modules of
the relese. Anne will ensure that this ecosystem continues to grow,
opens even more, and also that interactions are better formalized
without breaking the fun in the game Wink
On this occasion, I'm proposing a further step and wish that the next
Free Software version of Mandriva Linux be made directly by a member of
the community.
Last, build platform improvements will also be resumed now that the
release is out. Phase 1 was about stabilizing things, so let's head for
Phase 2 and implement some much needed changes!
Thanks for reading so far. Thanks for your support of Mandriva Linux,
and... Vive le Printemps!
--
dbarth
»
88 • re: #84 - linspire/dsl (by ray carter at 2007-05-10 14:30:16 GMT from United States)
If her DSL was anything like mine with an external DSL modem/router, no support was needed. You plug in the ethernet cable and use a browser to configure it.
89 • 88 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-10 18:13:10 GMT from United States)
I was going to say the same thing. Unless it's a very unusual situation, DSL should have nothing to do with OS being used. What probably happened is that the person called tech support to set up internet access in Linspire. It's pretty much impossible for the internet to fail to work on Linux. I once had an ISP tech support bonehead lecture me about how their email only worked with Outlook.
90 • re: 88 & 89 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-10 19:57:58 GMT from United States)
I agree! If she had asked me for help, I could have gotten it running in no time. She relayed the story to me after it all happened. Now she is cursed with Windows (X)tra (P)oopy.
91 • Re: #84 (by James on 2007-05-10 23:03:25 GMT from Lebanon)
I don't understand how they employ people in ISP's who have no background knowledge for Linux. ISP's usually rely on Linux to operate there servers because of it's stability. Windows servers are more tiresome to maintain and require restarts more often because of memory problems, attacks and other things. I don't have a DSL modem but if it's easy to configure from a browser and doesn't require special drivers as the guys said so it's the ISP's support fault and not Linux or the Computer manufacturers adopting Linux. I praise Dell's decision to make Ubuntu PC's and hope it gives Linux opportunity for better hardware support and other PC manufacturers follow Dell's move.
92 • Relative utility of distros depends on their relative capabilities (by Mark South on 2007-05-11 07:18:09 GMT from Switzerland)
Re #75: "Why Ubuntu ?when there are many better distros ,such as PcLinuxOs...."
Like it or not, Dell sells their machines in a global market, so they probably don't want to rule out the possibility of selling their Linux machines to the 5.5 billion people who don't speak Ingerleesh.
Technical merits aside, PCLinuxOS isn't much use for a speaker of Roumanian or Arabic or Hindi or...you get the idea.
93 • RE 91 "I don't understand how they employ people in ISP's who have no background (by dbrion on 2007-05-11 14:43:01 GMT from France)
I hope it is a rhetorical question.
For 1 very serious (and obvious) reason :
to avoid bankrupcy, when concurrency is rather hard. It would be expensive to train pple to know 2 systems (plus > 300 variants, changing at any time...) than one.
What is more amusing ist that some linuxers find convenient to renam firefox, thus leading to supplementary training prices (for a real intellectual supplement of value). The increase of benefits would be 5% more consumers (if these 5% marginal consumers were not wise enough to dualboat and use Linux antiviruses to protect their XP).
By the way, one should not be astonished that ISP employ "bonehead" (cf 88) people for support: this leads to lower wages, thus the /huge/ majority of their consumers pays less and is more satisfied....
By the way, choosing a Linux on the basis of the popularity would lead to ... stick to MICROSOFT Windows XP, in a perfectly consistent and logic way...
94 • Easy linux (by Distrowatch Reader on 2007-05-11 18:27:43 GMT from United States)
KNOPPIX
BOOT IT
try altering every file, or setting tweak everything to death.
REBOOT
Good as NEW!!
95 • Secure gateway with media sharing and sync capabilities (by Craig Sanderson on 2007-05-12 05:14:12 GMT from Hong Kong)
Hi,
I’m a relative Linux newbie and am looking for a distribution along the lines of IPCOP or EnGarde. My objectives are:
• Secure gateway with IDS/IDP and Peerguardian
• Strip out viruses and malware when downloading
• Connects to the net via PPPoE
• Dynamic DNS support
• CIFS/NFS file server with access controls
• FTP server
• RSYNC over the Internet to a similar setup – for high availability file storage
• P2P torrent server on the public facing interface
• Works in a headless mode, managed by a http browser
• Able to backup the configuration to ease disaster recovery
So my dream distro would have two Ethernet ports, one public facing and have bit torrent services built in, would be able to sync selected directories and files over the net to a second site.
I would build the unit in a small form factor case and probably using a VIA low power CPU.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Regards, Craig.
96 • No subject (by Anonymous on 2007-05-12 12:37:56 GMT from United States)
Craig: I'm sure most Linux distros can be made to do what you want. I can't tell you which would be the best. My suggestion is that you post your question again on Monday, in the new DWW, as you will see a lot more activity here. I fear that not many experts will read your question on the weekend.
97 • No subject (by JS on 2007-05-12 16:50:18 GMT from United States)
A friend of mine recently lost all of their data in addition to losing their XP install CD/key. When I suggested they try an install of Ubuntu it was explained to me that Linux was not an option because "they needed MS Word". Not relevant to any of the above by I felt like venting that as an alternative to pulling my hair out.
98 • No subject (by Anonymous on 2007-05-12 19:31:48 GMT from United States)
Crossover Office is available for free trial. If the person already has Word, it would cost zero to try Ubuntu, and he/she will still have Word.
99 • re: POST 95 (Craig) (by Kevin Walker on 2007-05-13 03:02:21 GMT from United States)
Craig,
ClarkConnect may be an option. I use an IPCop firewall. Anytime you add services to that box you run the ultimate risk. IPCop will support a # of NIC's so you could put another box doing the cifs/torrent/ftp/rsync on a separate subnet. I know "another box"...but scriptkiddies are alive and well, I have lots of logs to prove it. Mine is headless and you can backup the entire config to another box/floppy what have you. IPCop will run from a cd so a reboot will fix it.
I wanted what you did until I read the forums at smoothwall.
I don't know what peergardian is so I'm off to find out. IPCop uses SNORT and I couldn't be happier. I ran FREESCO for a while if you care to look at it. They did have great forums and a lot of "plugins" to do what your after.
HTH & best of luck!
Kevin
100 • madriva or Xandros or Linspire? (by rozilla on 2007-05-13 07:00:48 GMT from United States)
Of the pay for Linux distros which is best? I am going to try free Linux but it is nice to get the ball rolling with a Linux that just works with as little configuration as possible. Learn how it works and then try other distros.
I have a Toshiba laptop with a intel 945gm express chipset and 1.73 ghz core duo processor with 2 gigs ram installed.
Thanks for any help
Robzilla
101 • PCLinuxOS? (by Rajihammr on 2007-05-13 14:26:05 GMT from United States)
What's the deal with the movement lately in the OS rankings by PCLinuxOS? Is something like the manipulation done by Ubuntu sometime back being done by PCLinuxOS too? I just can't see a distro that hasn't released lately moving so much, besides they've leapfrogged my Fedora, and I don't like that.
102 • RE: 101 PCLinuxOS? (by ladislav on 2007-05-13 14:32:08 GMT from Taiwan)
It's either that Fedora users don't visit DistroWatch much or that there really are more PCLinuxOS users than Fedora users. See here:
http://distrowatch.com/awstats/awstats.DistroWatch.com.osdetail.html
I did check the web logs a few times lately, but could not find any evidence of cheating or manipulation. Everything seems to be fair and square.
103 • re- 101 (by bean on 2007-05-13 16:18:18 GMT from United States)
The fact that PCLinuxOS has had so many website headaches due to huge traffic increases should dismiss that conception. (Unless they purposely did that to shake doubters off the trail.)hmmmm?
104 • No subject (by Plato re 102 on 2007-05-13 16:25:37 GMT from Latvia)
I am glad that Debian is relatively so popular - it fairs better than Fedora, SuSE, and hype PCLOS. I am newbie and installed Debian Etch a month ago. I must admit that it is great system and not that complicate as people use to think. It is not much harder to manage Debian than Ubuntu.
105 • So many choices (by Dr. David on 2007-05-13 20:19:40 GMT from United States)
I noticed that there are many distros on the Distrowatch waiting list that were submitted 2005, even one submitted 2003. Some of these are pretty interesting. Just wonder if they will be included in your site soon?
Really appreciate your site, it provides a great portal not only for keeping current with distro activity, but also to mine the lesser-known distros that can be used for specialty applications, like servers, VPN endpoints, firewalls, and more!
Keep up the good work!
Dr. David
106 • Ubuntu Studio (by Anonymous on 2007-05-14 02:01:56 GMT from United States)
This distro looks interesting, but their web site has been down since it appeared in the news section.
107 • 100 (by Anonymous on 2007-05-14 03:34:19 GMT from United States)
I don't recommend paying for Linux. There's really little advantage for most new users, at least in terms of configuration.
First, realize that you don't have to pay for Mandriva or Linspire, as Mandriva can be downloaded to try for free, and Freespire is a free version of Linspire. I don't know about Xandros.
Second, don't expect the commercial version to work better with your hardware. I've seen no advantage on average.
I recommend that you download Live CD's for PCLinuxOS, Mepis, and Ubuntu. Run them on your laptop and see which offers the best hardware support. (Mepis is best in my experience, but that is a small sample.)
There is no way to make a general recommendation. Just try out those three Live CD's and see which you like the best (or if you don't care about finding the "best" distro, just try Mepis and use it if it works). I know there is a wide range of opinions out there, and many will disagree with me, but I've yet to see someone fail when trying these three distros. And Mepis usually works for most.
If you like one of them you can support that distro by buying the commercial version (and maybe get some support or a manual) or by donating (i.e., for PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu). They all have great forums. If you have problems, start with the distro's forums, even with the most basic questions.
As you have a laptop, you might want to check out
http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/
HTH
Number of Comments: 107
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