Linux
A few notes about Linux and how I use it on my systems.
Distribution
My Linux distribution of choice is Debian, no contest. Everyone has a favourite distribution, and all are good in their own way, but Debian seems to be the best distribution for my needs and level of knowledge.
One of the things I try to do in my spare time is to get together as many weird types of computer as possible, stick Linux on them and get them to talk to each other and the rest of the Internet on my LAN (parts of which run at 1000Mb/s, parts at 100 and parts still at 10Mb/s). So far, I have the following machines running Debian Linux on the network:
- Jesmos: Dual Intel Pentium II/400 (running at 266MHz each because of the 66MHz FSB motherboard) with 768MB RAM, diskless, booting using PXE.
- Scrat: AMD Athlon 64 2800+ with 512MB RAM and 18GB of disk space.
- Sarmoti: Sun Microsystems Ultra1 (Sun4u/167) with 160MB RAM, diskless (Debian UltraLinux).
- Sunlight: Sun Microsystems SPARCstation 10 (Sun4m/60) with 32MB RAM and 1GB of disk space (Debian UltraLinux).
- Crush: AMD Athlon XP 2500+ with 512MB RAM and 200GB of disk space.
- Ray: Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4+ with 34MB RAM and Postscript capability. This is a printer connected to the network using an MIO JetDirect card running embedded HP/UX.
If anyone would like any help installing onto some hardware similar to the above, why not send me a quick email and I'll see if I can be of any help to you.
Similarly, if you've got any old hardware lying around that you're wanting to get rid of, please get in touch with me and I'll do by best to put it to good use. I'll even try to arrange collection if it's at all possible, otherwise I'll get in touch with you to negotiate delivery charges. The larger challenges are especially welcome.