LINUX 1.3X/2.X finding the truth Jan 1999
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly!
About LINUX
LINUX is a free UNIX-like operating system originally created by LINUX Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. It has a strong presence among Internet Service Providers (ISPs), institutions of higher education, and Web developers. LINUX is also the fastest growing UNIX platform in the enterprise with an estimated 7 million users. For more information about LINUX, visit http://www.linux.org.
THE GOOD
The first look at LINUX came in the form of Caldria systems OPEN LINUX 1.3. The installation was a breeze. With an bootable CD, the choices were laid out in plain English with help from the simple and sparse manual that came with the package. It took me two tries to get all options I wanted, without loading package after package of RPMS for my test project. After the install was done and Xwindows setup options were completed, the system rebooted and gave me a login screen. I logged in as root and was given text options, for the Xwindows system of choice. From my readings of other LINUX reviews, I gave KDE the nod and up it came. KDE Xwindows interface is COOL, it gave me all the power and mobility to navigate / modify the LINUX operating system with ease.
The addition of PII processor, multiprocessor, raid storage system support make the newer version of LINUX interesting to web and Java developers. To use any of the advanced features I had to recompile the kernel {NOTE: you will use the command prompt, if you fear the DOS prompt, steer clear...} after about an hour of reconfiguring and compiling the kernel, the system ran quite well and stable.
The Bad
I know many of you LINUX persons out there feel that LINUX is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and it's "free". REALITY CHECK: sure LINUX is free, no license fee for down load, but if time is money it takes about 200 meg, or 8 hrs of download time at a good 56k speed, just to get your system to feel useable. Not counting the other add-ons like Java, Web Server, and Netscape. You'll need to buy a LINUX "get started" book for $35.00, but you'll be getting a LINUX version 2 years out of date and it'll take 40 fixes or 4hrs of download all you will need to get your LINUX install current. I haven't even included all the install time. Well, by the time your up and running you will have invested about 2+ days of time. If time is money, it does not follow that LINUX is "free". The best bet for the above-average user -- yes, you better be an above average computer user to go out and buy a package like RedHat or Caldera -- you spend about $20.00 to $50.00 U.S. and start working with something current. The install time is about one hour plus, depending on your install. Some LINUX people say LINUX is easier to install than Windows NT. There are dreamers everywhere. REALITY CHECK: the install for LINUX is about the same, other than the setup of Xwindows at the end of a package. Then you must recompile the kernel to match the CPU you're running, and the text edit work you'll do to get your web site running, etc., etc., etc. Putting all this aside, LINUX may be for the few that like plunking around for a fix to a system problem like a cheap router, Web site, cheap pop mail. It may also work for developers looking for a platform to create applications written in Java, C++, "let's not forget our old friend Perl" and are willing to work for it. Yes, LINUX is a stable platform to work from, you just need to know "HOW TO" do it. Forget buying a book on the latest LINUX revision because, like I said, most of the books are two years out of date. The best bet is the web, the only true source for what is happening today with LINUX. I did say it was bad. Give it a few years. Note: To all writers for major computer magazine's, the computer users of the world trust what you write, so before you say LINUX is about to challenge Windows, try LINUX before you write about it. or at lease be in touch with who your target readers are.
THE UGLY
LINUX IS NOT FREE. All things come with a cost.
If one more person tells me that Linux run's great on a 386 with 16mb ram I will ....... you know. It runs more like a dog in New Mexico on a mid summer day in August the word "run" is a misnomer more like pants with a 386. Linux like NT, loves ram and a WIDE OPEN CPU... Running on a PII with 128mb Ram and recompiling my system to the PII kernel did the trick. I tried 386DX 16mb, 486 16mb - 64mb, Pentium 133 - 233 64mb, PII 128mb. When I tried the Pentium 233 I started to see life I compiled the Kernel three ways, the PII with 128mb was the answer. hard drives used: fast ULTRA DMA IDE 4.0gb AND ULTRA SCSI 4.0gb all but the 386 I used a fast IDE 512MB Seagate. The little one you know or do you? very fast for a sub 1gb drive..
NT - LINUX Small server setup just for fun
1. "Windows NT 4.0 $600.00" 5 user version. 5.5 hours with scripts, users, printers, IIS 4.0 Java or VB, ODBC, SQL 6.5 loaded and Running with tables Tech level (5) 1-10 no compiling or dos prompts...
HOURS 5.5 x Tech $85.00 = 467.50 + 600.00 = $1067.00
2. "LINUX version 1.3 Caldera $35.00" 5 users. 24 hours scripts, users, printers, Apache Jserv, JDBC, Sybase or IBM's DB2 loaded and Running with tables Tech level (7) 1-10, and that is if all Changes Compile ok.. if you stay with the default kernel you will be missing the boat.
HOURS 24 x Tech $85.00 = 2040 + 35.00= $2075.00
Now I've heard of simple math but the Truth is the Truth time is money and if you want your tech spending more of your money go with LINUX.
Just for the record
If you find a person that really knows LINUX, you've found a person that has the ability to take care most if not all of your computer OS needs, whether it is LINUX, Windows NT or UNIX. The LINUX operating system is very involved and complicated but, if setup properly and with good support, LINUX can fill many of your computer / Server needs. I Like LINUX and the Qperating System has a big role to play in the industry. I have even started to Developing a Web E-Biz system based on LINUX. But it is not a Microsoft Windows NT killer, not even close. The fastest way to kill a good thing is to sell it for something it's not. The work I did with LINUX was the most fun I had in years. But what I find as fun my client will not find amusing. In a world where selling lies is big biz. give LINUX a chance to grow up and find it's place. Too many billions of hour have bin given in co op to create a next gen operating system" note: Cooperative project world wide" . Windows is the best thing to happen to computing. It truly moved the common man into computer age and expanded the market to height never imaged, By setting Strong design standards.
If you have problems with windows well hold on to your sanity if you think LINUX will fix your ill's.
The vaster the market, more room for alternative Operating systems.. Stick with the truth people GOOD BY NOVELL.