Linux Help - Honda Pilot

N_Jay · 02-25-2006, 09:28 AM

OK, all you self proclaimed and closet geeks.

I am setting up a small test web server on my home network.

I am looking for the best easy to use Linux version.

Who uses what, and what do they like/hate?

(Yes, I know I can use IIS, but I am out of XP licenses, and Yes I know I can run it in the background on my desktop, but my desktop is slow enough already)

ramirami · 02-25-2006, 10:14 AM

susie (sp?) and red hat have the easiest ot use packages (but not free)

fireflock · 02-25-2006, 10:26 AM

My current favorite for servers is Centos: http://centos.org/

It's based very closely on RedHat's enterprise product.

N_Jay · 02-25-2006, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ramirami
susie (sp?) and red hat have the easiest ot use packages (but not free)

What about RedHat's free version?

I have used Mandrake before, any reason to use it or not use it these days?

fireflock · 02-25-2006, 10:49 AM

The RedHat free version is not what it used to be. It is now sort of a testing ground for the pay version (and Centos). It's probably fine for playing around with, but you might run into an odd bug or something that could cause you fits. Another big disadvantage (for serious use) is that support (security updates) are only provided for a short time. Again, not a huge deal if you are just playing around.

Centos is virtually the same as RedHats pay version, with the exception that every mention of 'RedHat' has been changed to 'Centos'. Centos took off when the free version of RedHat changed from a stable production distro to more of a solid beta release.

I have not used Mandrake for a few years, but I enjoyed it when I used it. It's probably a decent choice if you already have some familiarity with it.

N_Jay · 02-25-2006, 11:32 AM

Well, I would not say that my Mandrake experience is sufficient to influence this decision.

I installed and played with Mandrake, RedHat and Suse.

I did not see a big difference that I remember, other then some visual differences in the default GUI.

I guess what I am looking for is a recommendation so I don't invest too much time setting up a version that does not do the job.

Also, this is going to be running on an older machine.

I have a choice between a Celeron-466, P3-450 and a AMD 750 Duron

Each has about 256 to 384 meg of ram.

Any suggestions as to which would be best?

jl_ss · 02-25-2006, 11:37 AM

I've used SuSE in a professional engineering environment and knoppix for a boot from CD distro. Here's a website quiz that helps narrows down the best distro based on your criteria: Link

krygny · 02-25-2006, 11:49 AM

I'm a little behind the times because I don't currently have a fresh system I'm using, but I've always liked SUSE for hardware compatibility, ease of installation/use, documentation, and support (depending on what you want to spend). And as you can see, they offer various distros from free OSS to commercially licensed. Pick your poison. If you spring for a shrink-wrap version, the documentation is outstanding.

N_Jay · 02-25-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jl_ss
I've used SuSE in a professional engineering environment and knoppix for a boot from CD distro. Here's a website quiz that helps narrows down the best distro based on your criteria: Link

Based on that test it seems Mandrake and Suse are the front runners along with UB(something), but that seems to always be on top no matter what the answer is, so I am a bit suspicious)

fireflock · 02-25-2006, 11:56 AM

More recent is better, I guess, just to limit the chance of some odd hardware that won't be detected.

I have Centos running on a Celeron-300 with less than 200mb RAM and it runs Apache (the webserver) just fine. I think it would have trouble with Gnome (default RedHat GUI) so I don't install it.

If you want to use a GUI (which can be useful for first time setup) then maybe the 750 would be best (I assume it has the most RAM), but I bet there would not be much difference between the 3 of them.

I would just pick one and go with it. Chances are you won't get everything just the way you like it the first time and will want to do a second install anyway.

fireflock · 02-25-2006, 11:57 AM

Something or other is Ubuntu. I have never used it for a server, but I use it for a desktop. It's very easy.

That quiz is for a Desktop distro, not server, so YMMV.

N_Jay · 02-25-2006, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fireflock
More recent is better, I guess, just to limit the chance of some odd hardware that won't be detected.

I have Centos running on a Celeron-300 with less than 200mb RAM and it runs Apache (the webserver) just fine. I think it would have trouble with Gnome (default RedHat GUI) so I don't install it.

If you want to use a GUI (which can be useful for first time setup) then maybe the 750 would be best (I assume it has the most RAM), but I bet there would not be much difference between the 3 of them.

I would just pick one and go with it. Chances are you won't get everything just the way you like it the first time and will want to do a second install anyway.

Whatever motherboard I end up using it will have the same amount of RAM.

Just wondering in the Linux world, if processor speed is generic, or does the P3 at 450 have a big advantage over the Celleron at 466?
Some for the P3 at 450 vs. the Duron at 750?

As for UI, it will mostly be a server. A simple GUI would be helpful over a command line, but I don't need a full desktop quality GUI.

If I can easily manage it over the Network, that would be an advantage?
And decent ways to do that?

fireflock · 02-25-2006, 12:14 PM

They're not generic, but I treat them as if they were. You will get better performance if you uses a kernel compiled for a particular architecture, but in reality I find it to not be worth the trouble for the type of use you are talking about.

I use a combination of webmin (webmin.com)and ssh to manage servers over a network. Both will likely come with whatever distro you choose. Fast, easy, free.......

whizmo · 02-25-2006, 01:05 PM

Just another opinion... I decided to get my feet wet and set up a Linux file server on an old computer. I looked at a bunch and finally installed Debian. I'm not sure why - I think they had one of the easier-to-use setup systems where you downloaded a single boot CD and then installed off the net.

Debian has a great package distribution system and probably the widest range of applications. I am running Samba now.

I'm still leaning but it's working well.

I had previously used Knoppix boot CDs a few times for testing and it worked well also.

- Mark

jl_ss · 02-25-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fireflock

That quiz is for a Desktop distro, not server, so YMMV.

The quiz asks you whether it is for a server app or not.

02-25-2006, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,555 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Linux Help OK, all you self proclaimed and closet geeks. I am setting up a small test web server on my home network. I am looking for the best easy to use Linux version. Who uses what, and what do they like/hate? (Yes, I know I can use IIS, but I am out of XP licenses, and Yes I know I can run it in the background on my desktop, but my desktop is slow enough already) __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

02-25-2006, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
ramirami 'da Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Arlington Hts., IL Posts: 7,969 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	susie (sp?) and red hat have the easiest ot use packages (but not free) __________________ ~~2003 Starlight Silver EXL_RES~~ 2005 Blue Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0 2011 Black Audi Q5 2.0T

02-25-2006, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
fireflock Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My current favorite for servers is Centos: http://centos.org/ It's based very closely on RedHat's enterprise product. __________________ 2004 Silver Starlight EX-L --------------------------------------------------------------- Rear Mud Guards, All Season Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Tow Package, PA11-HON iPod stereo interface

02-25-2006, 10:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
fireflock Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The RedHat free version is not what it used to be. It is now sort of a testing ground for the pay version (and Centos). It's probably fine for playing around with, but you might run into an odd bug or something that could cause you fits. Another big disadvantage (for serious use) is that support (security updates) are only provided for a short time. Again, not a huge deal if you are just playing around. Centos is virtually the same as RedHats pay version, with the exception that every mention of 'RedHat' has been changed to 'Centos'. Centos took off when the free version of RedHat changed from a stable production distro to more of a solid beta release. I have not used Mandrake for a few years, but I enjoyed it when I used it. It's probably a decent choice if you already have some familiarity with it. __________________ 2004 Silver Starlight EX-L --------------------------------------------------------------- Rear Mud Guards, All Season Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Tow Package, PA11-HON iPod stereo interface

02-25-2006, 11:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,555 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, I would not say that my Mandrake experience is sufficient to influence this decision. I installed and played with Mandrake, RedHat and Suse. I did not see a big difference that I remember, other then some visual differences in the default GUI. I guess what I am looking for is a recommendation so I don't invest too much time setting up a version that does not do the job. Also, this is going to be running on an older machine. I have a choice between a Celeron-466, P3-450 and a AMD 750 Duron Each has about 256 to 384 meg of ram. Any suggestions as to which would be best? __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

02-25-2006, 11:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
jl_ss Super Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: MA Posts: 3,860 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've used SuSE in a professional engineering environment and knoppix for a boot from CD distro. Here's a website quiz that helps narrows down the best distro based on your criteria: Link

02-25-2006, 11:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
krygny Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NY Panhandle(c) Posts: 2,831 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm a little behind the times because I don't currently have a fresh system I'm using, but I've always liked SUSE for hardware compatibility, ease of installation/use, documentation, and support (depending on what you want to spend). And as you can see, they offer various distros from free OSS to commercially licensed. Pick your poison. If you spring for a shrink-wrap version, the documentation is outstanding. __________________ 2003 EX-L, Sage Brush Pearl Side Steps • Rear Splash Guards • Cross Bars • Cargo Tray • Cargo Cover • All-Season Floor Mats • StreetPilot ColorMap • WeatherTech WeatherFlectors • Fortera TripleTreds

02-25-2006, 11:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
fireflock Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	More recent is better, I guess, just to limit the chance of some odd hardware that won't be detected. I have Centos running on a Celeron-300 with less than 200mb RAM and it runs Apache (the webserver) just fine. I think it would have trouble with Gnome (default RedHat GUI) so I don't install it. If you want to use a GUI (which can be useful for first time setup) then maybe the 750 would be best (I assume it has the most RAM), but I bet there would not be much difference between the 3 of them. I would just pick one and go with it. Chances are you won't get everything just the way you like it the first time and will want to do a second install anyway. __________________ 2004 Silver Starlight EX-L --------------------------------------------------------------- Rear Mud Guards, All Season Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Tow Package, PA11-HON iPod stereo interface

02-25-2006, 11:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
fireflock Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Something or other is Ubuntu. I have never used it for a server, but I use it for a desktop. It's very easy. That quiz is for a Desktop distro, not server, so YMMV. __________________ 2004 Silver Starlight EX-L --------------------------------------------------------------- Rear Mud Guards, All Season Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Tow Package, PA11-HON iPod stereo interface

02-25-2006, 12:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
fireflock Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 233 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They're not generic, but I treat them as if they were. You will get better performance if you uses a kernel compiled for a particular architecture, but in reality I find it to not be worth the trouble for the type of use you are talking about. I use a combination of webmin (webmin.com)and ssh to manage servers over a network. Both will likely come with whatever distro you choose. Fast, easy, free....... __________________ 2004 Silver Starlight EX-L --------------------------------------------------------------- Rear Mud Guards, All Season Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Tow Package, PA11-HON iPod stereo interface

02-25-2006, 01:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
whizmo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: WA State Posts: 1,817 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just another opinion... I decided to get my feet wet and set up a Linux file server on an old computer. I looked at a bunch and finally installed Debian. I'm not sure why - I think they had one of the easier-to-use setup systems where you downloaded a single boot CD and then installed off the net. Debian has a great package distribution system and probably the widest range of applications. I am running Samba now. I'm still leaning but it's working well. I had previously used Knoppix boot CDs a few times for testing and it worked well also. - Mark

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