[Lilux-help] FreeBSD, compile from source and Distributions

[Patrick Kaell]

Patrick Useldinger wrote:

> But the two things where FreeBSD failed, and that's purely a matter of 
> personal preference, is:
> 
> -1- lack of binary distributions
> I am still looking for a good reason to compile everything from source. 
> Maybe there is one. Until I find it, a binary distribution has the 
> following advantages:
> - saves you plenty of time
> - gives you a guarantee that the binary actually work, which may not be 
> the case if you compile it yourself.
> 
> -2- lack of commercial support
> I like the idea of Debian, but I wouldn't get religious about it. An OS 
> should be free, but I am willing to pay for programs if they suit my 
> needs and if the price is fair (unlike MsOffice, for example). Linux has 
> been adopted by companies, so the chances to find commercial software 
> are far better that with FreeBSD.

Ok, I understand. What about Fedora? I see the following advantanges:

* Binary distribution

* Updatable via network with the tool 'yum' but without compiling!

* As it is the successor of RedHat 9.0 you might have the best 
commercial support.

* It is a community project. Everone can participate.

* Better than original RedHat because it includes 'yum' (Yellow Dog 
Update Manager borrowed from the Yellow Dog distribution), a important 
plus for you, if I understand you correctly.

* New official release every 6 month.

* Everything is GPL'ed and the source is available (including the 
installer).

Here is an article about Fedora Core 2:
http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=7126

It says:

<quote>
There are at least three ways to update software packages on FC2. The 
obvious one is up2date, which notifies you of updated packages by 
changing the blue check in the bottom right of the "tray" into a red 
exclamation mark. A less obvious, but more powerful method of updating 
is through yum. Open a terminal, and type:

$ sudo yum update
[enter your user password]
$ sudo yum upgrade

Voila, your system is up to date. You should also be aware that a port 
of Debian's apt is also available for Fedora. One of the first things I 
do on a Fedora install is download and install apt.

Download the rpm, and install it with:
$ sudo rpm -Uvh apt-[package-name].rpm

Once it's installed, type:
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install synaptic

Synaptic is a GUI frontend for apt that makes installing software a 
cinch. Both yum and apt automatically handle dependencies, helping to 
eliminate the dreaded "RPM Hell". From what I've read, up2date is slowly 
being phased out in favor of yum or apt.
</quote>

> AIX did not convince me as much as FreeBSD. On our Regatta boxes, it 
> works very well, but I wouldn't use it at home.

You have a Regatta at work. Sounds very nice.

> My current (theoretical) preference is Debian, because it is considered 
> a complete OS and has a good packet management. There is another point 
> for Debian: as I am working in IT, and as Debian is the base for a high 
> number of distributions, I hope that it will give me a good basic 
> understanding for Linux distributions I might have to use at work 
> (although, generally, SuSE and RH are used there).

I hope I could help you a bit, by finding you optimal distro.

Patrick Kaell