GeckoFood's Journal: [geek] Linux restart

I have been jabbering on here about moving from Windows Vista to Linux, and the transition is actually moving along well. I thought I was finished - until yesterday.

My chosen distro has been CentOS from go (no I won't switch to Ubuntu). CentOS is a derivative work from Red Hat, and since I am working on RHEL in the office and need to get certified, it's a logical choice. The installer is not dissimilar, the layout is the same, and everything is supposed to be the same as Red Hat except for the graphics and copyright notices. That said, I have noticed a few quirky things with it (no I won't switch to Ubuntu).

Setting up wireless was just short of painful. This is more of a function of my hardware than my OS, but to a point. The OS sets up a series of strange network interfaces, most of which I cannot identify and have bogus MAC addresses associated with them. eth0 is ok, of course, but many of the others are of unknown use to me.

The kernel source is not present in the main CentOS distro, which is in line with Red Hat's methodology (no I won't switch to Ubuntu). This is a royal pain in the *** when trying to compile drivers, NVidia in particular. Some drivers are fine with just the kernel headers while others require full kernel source. Getting the proper source requires a visit to the online repositories.

Wine doesn't want to play either, though that's not a huge concern. The yum repositories do not have wine in them and the source compiles but the binary complains of a missing module without giving additional information.

I forget where I was looking, but somewhere I read about a *different* Red Hat-based distro called Scientific Linux (SL). It is a recompile of Red Hat sources too, and it adds a few jiggly widgets and stuff not included in Red Hat's release. After fouling up my CentOS install on my backup box I decided to give it a try.

The strange network interfaces are gone. The kernel source is actually installed on the box. And wine pulled over without a hitch.

Though I am loathe to reload my main system, I think tonight I am going to wipe the system clean and load up SL 5.4 (not Ubuntu). If all the indicators are right, then this will be the final step to eliminating Windows from my system once and for all.

And, no, I won't switch to Ubuntu or any of its derivatives.

De gustibus non est disputandem...

[Shadow Wrought]

Of taste there is no argument... I sense a theme in your JE about Ubuntu and its derivatives :-)

I am thinking that I am going to try and install Ubuntu Server on my Netbook and see if I can get a really small, trim installion up and running. We shall see. Not a pitch, just mentioning that I'm going to be trying something different soon, too. (Plus it really is like arguing over whether blue is better than green.)

I am also glad to have you back around these parts, and am enjoying reading how your pro

Re:

[GeckoFood]

My issue with Ubuntu is a simple one, through no one's fault - it is not set up like Red Hat so working towards Red Hat certification on Ubuntu is not a very viable way to work.

I am also glad to have you back around these parts

Actually, I never left. I just have been so busy that I haven't had the time to post like I used to. And since almost everyone else in my friends list has stopped posting, I am not sure who's actually here anymore.

Hmmmmm....

[jawtheshark]

Have you tried Deb.... Oh, wait, scratch that. :-)

Yes, I understand it's because of the Red Hat certification. Can't blame you for trying to stick to Red Hat then. Question is more: why don't you simply use Red Hat itself. You most likely have access to the Red Hat installation media and as per GPL you are completely free to install that. Even without paying a dime... As long as you don't call them for support, where their real money is.

Re:

[GeckoFood]

I could certainly snag a DVD from the office and install it, but by using a "community" version it removes all doubts whatsoever when it comes to licensing, support and everything else. I am probably worrying too much about stuff, but I would rather be too cautious than not cautious enough.

Oh, I tried Debian a long time ago - I did NOT like it one bit.

Re:

[jawtheshark]

I'd simply read the license carefully instead of just guessing of what you can do or not. Not liking Debian? Heretic! :-P

Re:

[nizo]

I bet he'd like Debian if he ever used Ubuntu :-)