Any Linux users here? [Archive]

maradong

Apr 8, 2003, 03:57 PM

If you build your linux box pay attention to 2 things.

1 keep it cheap! It doesn t need a amd 3000+ or anything like that an xp 1800 makes it fine, beleive me.

2 use debian or mandrake.

debian is also really good on ppc architectures.

Have fun with linux

Roger1

Apr 8, 2003, 04:20 PM

Iv'e been messing around with Red Hat 8.0. It's ok. My big issue right now is I can't get my palm to sync, and linux doesn't support winmodems (as in a laptop, where I have it installed). When I use it, it kind of reminds me of OS X beta.... you know, pretty good, but not quite there yet. If I can get my palm to work, I would be really happy. I am thinking of taking some classes this fall on linux. Maybe I will learn something then.

Here is a website you can try.
http://www.linux.org/ Iv'e only visited here a few times; maybe it will help. Good luck.:)

shadowfax

Apr 8, 2003, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by Wildcat
I have already looked at linux.com was hoping I would find another site.
I was gonna use Yellow dog untill I could build a linux box out of spair parts and then I dont know what flavor I would use

you might also consider debian, they have a PPC version of their linux. i think YDL and debian are the only PPC linuxes.

alex_ant

Apr 8, 2003, 04:29 PM

I can't help with programming, but here are some other things you will need as you get started with Linux:

1) Soap (Zest, Dial, Lever 2000; I recommend Ivory because it's cheap)
2) Deodorant (Degree, Old Spice, Right Guard, etc.)
3) Razors (Gillette, Schick; for electrics, Braun and Panasonic work well)
4) Toothpaste (Crest, Colgate, etc.)

Try to buck the trend amongst Linux users and use each of these at least once a week, although be warned that none of them are free as in either speech or beer.

vniow

Apr 8, 2003, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by Shadowfax
you might also consider debian, they have a PPC version of their linux. i think YDL and debian are the only PPC linuxes.

Debian PPC is a real pain in the ass though, you have to know Linux in irder to get everythig set up, not for newbies.

Mandrake has a PPC port, but its stuck at 8.2 while their excellent x86 version is at 9.1 now and miles better than 8.2.

Suse has a PPC port too and so does Red Hat (I think)

Whatever you get though, make sure it has at least KDE 3.0 (3.1 is preferred)

Also remember alex_ant's tips, you won't get anywhere without them.

Giaguara

Apr 8, 2003, 04:39 PM

linux rules. :)

but os x rules more, so normally i look for unix (basic) stuff or freebsd stuff and compile them. as i have only the mac.

if i had a pc, i'd go for the *BSD or debian.

Wildcat

Apr 8, 2003, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by maradong
If you build your linux box pay attention to 2 things.

1 keep it cheap! It doesn t need a amd 3000+ or anything like that an xp 1800 makes it fine, beleive me.

2 use debian or mandrake.

debian is also really good on ppc architectures.

Have fun with linux

Yeah I am getting a AMD 2400 XP with mb for free from my dad :)

shadowfax

Apr 8, 2003, 04:44 PM

wildcat--have you considered playing with fink (http://fink.sourceforge.net) instead, with apple's X11? KDE is a lot of fun integrated with the quartz-wm, and runs pretty smooth.

good call on the debian tip, vniow; i've never messed with it. i hear they have a really good package-based updating system though (more for broadband people, i'm told).

and i didn't know about mandrake. too bad it's not at 9, i would go for that for sure when i get a firewire drive. i played with mandrake linux on my PC and thought it was cool.

Wildcat

Apr 8, 2003, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by alex_ant
I can't help with programming, but here are some other things you will need as you get started with Linux:

1) Soap (Zest, Dial, Lever 2000; I recommend Ivory because it's cheap)
2) Deodorant (Degree, Old Spice, Right Guard, etc.)
3) Razors (Gillette, Schick; for electrics, Braun and Panasonic work well)
4) Toothpaste (Crest, Colgate, etc.)

Try to buck the trend amongst Linux users and use each of these at least once a week, although be warned that none of them are free as in either speech or beer.
hahahah!
very true
I will keep all of this in mind

bousozoku

Apr 8, 2003, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by vniow
Debian PPC is a real pain in the ass though, you have to know Linux in irder to get everythig set up, not for newbies.

Mandrake has a PPC port, but its stuck at 8.2 while their excellent x86 version is at 9.1 now and miles better than 8.2.

Suse has a PPC port too and so does Red Hat (I think)

Whatever you get though, make sure it has at least KDE 3.0 (3.1 is preferred)

Also remember alex_ant's tips, you won't get anywhere without them.

SuSE has very good PPC support for IBM's largest computers; however, they're stuck a few versions behind on small machines. v7.3 is available for Macintosh and v8.2 is about ready for x86 hardware. Red Hat, as far as I know, doesn't have a direct port but Yellow Dog Linux is directly related.

tazo

Apr 8, 2003, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by Roger1
Iv'e been messing around with Red Hat 8.0. It's ok. My big issue right now is I can't get my palm to sync, and linux doesn't support winmodems (as in a laptop, where I have it installed). When I use it, it kind of reminds me of OS X beta.... you know, pretty good, but not quite there yet. If I can get my palm to work, I would be really happy. I am thinking of taking some classes this fall on linux. Maybe I will learn something then.

Here is a website you can try.
http://www.linux.org/ Iv'e only visited here a few times; maybe it will help. Good luck.:)

i agree on the comparison, one thing i really like about redhat is the ability to have multiple desktops-no matter what OS i am using besides llinux, i miss that :D

xlemming

Apr 8, 2003, 11:21 PM

I've used the PPC versions of Mandrake, Debian, and Yellow Dog (only on PPC). Mandrake is a very easy distro (on x86) but lacks many ppc features/drivers specifically the power managment. Debian is hard in either x86 or PPC (harder on the PPC too) it lacks many pre-compiled drivers and stuff can be hard to get working.
For the PPC I would suggest Yellow Dog. It is the only distro made specifically for PPC and supports everything on your computer (except for really new stuff).
Why you need to use linux anymore I don't know. I just deleted my linux partition because I now have xwindows running seemlessly in OS X. (so much for my hopes of running MacOnLinux, I had it working for a few days).

wsteineker

Apr 9, 2003, 12:08 AM

I'm thinking of converting this old Cube to a super quiet webserver (just for my page and a few friends), and PPC Linux seems to be just the ticket to up the speed. OS X is a bit slow on this machine, and I would assume that Linux would be noticably faster. Is YellowDog the way to go for this type of thing?

CrackedButter

Apr 9, 2003, 06:58 AM

www.distrowatch.com

yzedf

Apr 9, 2003, 12:24 PM

http://www.linmodems.org/

http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/4445/1/

for decent discussions...

http://slashdot.org/

Wildcat

Apr 9, 2003, 04:26 PM

ok
all of the sites seem really informative
let me just run something by everyone to see if anyone thinks this is even possible and if so what areas do I need to focus on.

So I think it would really be cool to biuld my own car mp3 player. I have heard that Linux is easily modified so I figured this is the direction I need to go in. What do I need to know to be able to creat a program that is the entire user interface for linux. Basically I want this linux box to do nothing but play mp3s and do everything a sterio can do but be controlled through a GUI that would use mouse clicks. I realize this is a very complicated undertaking but I just want to know what I would need to learn to acomplish this. I have limited experiance with OOP ( Java ) and concepts related to OOP. I will probably be takeing a class relating to asembly code soon. Would any of this be pertanante to my project?

Thanks

Wildcat

Apr 10, 2003, 12:11 AM

*BUMP*
can no one answer my question?

Wildcat

Apr 10, 2003, 04:09 PM

*BUMP*
Last time

bousozoku

Apr 10, 2003, 05:16 PM

You're asking a huge question.

Yes, it could be done. Yes, your experience would be pertinent.

From what I've read of your experience, if you work 24/7 on it, you could have it done in 1-2 years. You said that your experience was limited.

If the code already exists for an open source mp3 player, which it probably does, I'd say you'd be down to below 1 year (if the code is clear and well-documented) but that's just my opinion.

Wildcat

Apr 10, 2003, 05:31 PM

yeah I know of a few different open source mp3 players out there( MP3 123 I think) the main obsitcal I foresee is moding the OS. I just need a starting point.

Wildcat

Apr 10, 2003, 05:49 PM

yeah I know of a few different open source mp3 players out there( MP3 123 I think) the main obsitcal I foresee is moding the OS. I just need a starting point.

bousozoku

Apr 10, 2003, 06:53 PM

Have you created a simple operating system on your own?

If you haven't, start there before tackling something as big as Linux.

You may want to read Operating Systems: Design and Implementation, ISBN 0-13-0637406-9, by Andrew S. Tannenbaum. His UNIX-compatible operating system used throughout the book was the basis used by Linus Torvalds to create Linux.

crazytom

Apr 11, 2003, 11:03 PM

A buddy of mine built a Linux box, put on an mp3 player, ran his output to a small FM transmitter and has his own automated radio station for his house and those around him. I'll send him this thread and see if he can point you in the correct direction. I do know that he's a very strong advocate of Debian.

No guarantees, though...he's one busy man!

Sabenth

Apr 12, 2003, 09:00 AM

Hi guys a bit late on this post but basicly ive just moved from windows to linux cant aford a mac yet working on it but any hows heres a little thing for the guy who wants to have an mp3 player based box

try these guys out they have somthing that might be of use to you
www.everythinglinux.com.au they have a book called linux toys it shows you how to make such a project as you are requesting . as for making a linux box mp3 player its easy just load up what ever version of linux you want to use and just chuck all your mp3s on it and plug it into your car simple well i know its not that simple but its only my 2 cents .. might point out i dont know much about linux on a mac but for pcs Mandrake 9.1 seems to have the biggest advatage at the moment i say that now but next week red hat could bring out number 9 and wipe the floor with it .. but they dont do mp3s you have to down load the mp3 player .... thoughti might point that out..

also recomend you learn how to use some commands in the terminals find a good book black books linux is a good one.. you might not feel you need it but it will come in handy if you want to make your own gui ...such things..

maradong

Apr 12, 2003, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Shadowfax
you might also consider debian, they have a PPC version of their linux. i think YDL and debian are the only PPC linuxes.

MANDRAKE 9.1, Suse 7.3 are also out for ppc architectures.

Go for mandrake 9.1 if you want the best ease of use ever. It s really worth the try!

maradong

Apr 12, 2003, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Sabenth
Hi guys a bit late on this post but basicly ive just moved from windows to linux cant aford a mac yet working on it but any hows heres a little thing for the guy who wants to have an mp3 player based box

try these guys out they have somthing that might be of use to you
www.everythinglinux.com.au they have a book called linux toys it shows you how to make such a project as you are requesting . as for making a linux box mp3 player its easy just load up what ever version of linux you want to use and just chuck all your mp3s on it and plug it into your car simple well i know its not that simple but its only my 2 cents .. might point out i dont know much about linux on a mac but for pcs Mandrake 9.1 seems to have the biggest advatage at the moment i say that now but next week red hat could bring out number 9 and wipe the floor with it .. but they dont do mp3s you have to down load the mp3 player .... thoughti might point that out..

also recomend you learn how to use some commands in the terminals find a good book black books linux is a good one.. you might not feel you need it but it will come in handy if you want to make your own gui ...such things..

argh red hat is bs!
only one year off full updates, and it is changing the kernel code, as well as the interface of gnome and kde. forget red hat!

beefstu01

Apr 12, 2003, 06:26 PM

You want to WHAAAT?!

If I read what you want right, you're trying to do an embedded version of linux to play mp3's in your car, no? Wow, that's a feat.

I'll look around, but one of your best best bets is to check at www.sourceforge.net and see if someone else has started a project like that. Many good minds make thigs work.

saabmp3

Apr 13, 2003, 01:50 AM

gentoo gentoo gentoo. I'm on it right now, it takes a long time to setup and run but boy is it great. It's been called best DIY OS of the year by many magazines. Shove fluxbox ontop of it (a true windows manager) and you have one of the sweetest computers out there.

It's not for the faint of heart, but man oh man will you learn more about your comptuer than you ever wanted to know.

BEN

maradong

Apr 13, 2003, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by saabmp3
gentoo gentoo gentoo. I'm on it right now, it takes a long time to setup and run but boy is it great. It's been called best DIY OS of the year by many magazines. Shove fluxbox ontop of it (a true windows manager) and you have one of the sweetest computers out there.

It's not for the faint of heart, but man oh man will you learn more about your comptuer than you ever wanted to know.

BEN

i use either blackbox or sawfish ( for gnome )
debian is my personal favorite for workstation/servers for "home"use i like mandrake 9.1 best