Linux Three things you allways wanted to know about Linux

When I wrote the What is this Linux thing? forum thread more then a year ago, I just wanted to show my fellow forumites that there's a world outside of the MS box. Ok, I hoped deep inside to create a spark that converted some to cross over to the penguin side. Little did I know back then that the intrest in Linux and Open Source Software would be so big.

Since those days Brett has managed to force me into writing some more specific stuff then just a list of what was possible. But now that Linux keeps gaining ground, I wonder, what you fellow forum members always wanted to know about Linux and OSS, or what you want to know more about, or would like some guides/pointers towards. Things you allways wanted to do on Linux, but never had the courage or knowledge to do. Or were just to lazy to dig into...

So I wanted to create a poll about it... But a poll isn't fit, because then you all could chose from my topics. And I hardly think anyone is interested in Linux Virtual Filesysem, Kernel Security, IPTables, Gentoo Ebuild creation, SoftRAID and LVM(2), Xen virtualisation, PAM, Samba,...

So, what do you 'digg' in Linux?

 

something ive been meaning to read about is the kernel but just havent had time, been trying to make sence of gentoo cflags and flags (more specifically the ones i would need) before taking another stab at the gentoo installer... edit three things aye, well some more cli commands and some bash scripting wouldnt go amiss

 

The always hotly debated organization of the file system including the real world names that spawned all those little 3 letter name directories.

 

softraid sounds good, as does kernel security.
And I guess I'd like to know more about how drivers work in linux.

I actually intend to try installing Ubuntu on my lappy (in sig) but no linux drivers on Tosh's website...

 

does this help at all? Linux Filesystem Hierachy

@airchie, take a look at the manufactures the component site, or google the part with linux at the end

 

Never said i didn't know.. just that it makes a good topic.

 

I've always wondered why linucks fan boys love to hate on windows by using ridiculous arguments that have nothing to do with the os itself.

Seriously. Not trying to provoke anything.

 

i digg open scource / free software. Its also a way to de differant other than theming XP.

 

Well, I use Windows because I have to, but I subscribe to the theory that my computer belongs to me, not to Microsoft. If I pay to run their operating system, it's on MY terms, not THEIRS. So no validation, no "Genuine Advantage" wasting my CPU power and time. No being locked into their default settings, themes and applications. That's the biggest beef I have with Windows. But, if I really want to nitpick, I also dislike the security aspect of Windows. UAC in Vista didn't do anything--hell, NOTIHNG in Vista really did anything (posting from 64-bit Vista, by the way). So long as you aren't stupid, you won't be destroyed by viruses, but everything security-wise is just a patch job from XP. Longhorn was something new entirely, but they scrapped it and revamped their old OS, leaving all its flaws. They still lack a coherent separation of user/admin tasks at a fundamental level. UAC started to fix this, but they started on the outside working in instead of the other way around.

So, in a nutshell, ownerships, the right to modify software on MY computer, and security.

 

Well now people should have there linux server set up perhaps showing them some more advanced things they could do with it. PXE network booting or LTSP, to give a nice silent/near silent hard drive less system for browsing the web and emailing. Kernel compilation is always a fun topic, can't think of any thing else of the top of my head.

I like the options presented by running Linux, disk less low powered systems running as responsively as a c2d box running xp or vista but booting from a file server across the network, my Geexbox running my tv runs of a 16mb flash card try that in xp. Cost is another excellent factor, i pay for Linux in time which i have more off than money, running Debian SID and contributing bug reports when i'm not busy is an excellent way of giving back to (a lot of) the distribution(s) and community... actually there's maybe a good article in there, ways to give back for non coders?

 

Would you prefer they attacked the arrogant users instead?

 

IPv6 guide and implementation and who supports it server/ISP wise please

 

What I meant was rather "Windows vista sucks because of the DCMA". Well, the DCMA has NOTHING to do with windows. It just says in general that you can't break encryption to get at the contents of your media, regardless of operating system.

I've seen that one more than once..

 

No-one bought that up in this thread at all, this is all about what people want to know about regarding Linux. You are just trolling.

 

I think Joe Public would like to know how to make use of some old kit knocking around, which either runs too slowly under an MS OS, or it's unsupported / non-legit.

Example: I have a very old Pentium 233 IBM ThinkPad laptop. It has only 64mb ram, and ran like a dog even with Win 95 on it. Well, I took the plunge and installed Puppy Linux on it - bingo - my young daughter now has a perfectly usable system to play with - she writes stories in OpenOffice and can play a nice free version of Bejewelled.

(However... I've yet to get the wireless card to work ... it's a Speedtouch 110g, and I don't have a clue about Linux and drivers, so some sort of primer on how to get Linux and hardware working with each other would be nice. I'm not sure how specific or generalised such information could/should be though.)

I've also got an old Shuttle box gathering dust... with 512mb ram, an Athlon 2500XP processor, and onboard Nvidia graphics, it seems like an ideal candidate for an Ubuntu installation.

So... Linux seems an ideal way to get some more use out of old kit. Maybe it could spark a wave of passing kit on to friends and family who wouldn't otherwise be able to sample the delights of 'modern' technology

 

Id really like to see a Bit-Tech article on graphics drivers under linux, Ive tried to use linux every couple of months for the last year or so but Ive never been able to get the graphics drivers to work with my X1800 and 30" screen. Im now thinking of building a new computer and it would be really useful to me to see a guide/comparison between ATI drivers and Nvidia drivers so I can choose a graphics card that isnt a chore to get working under linux.

I know this seems like a "please tell me how to fix my computer" type request but having looked for help on the 'net it seems that alot of people have problems with graphics drivers and a really good discussion of the features and guide to getting them working would go down very well with a broad audience.

Just my tuppence ha'penny worth.

Moriquendi

 

nVidia gfx drivers are easy, buy a geforce card, installl it, install a kernel (best not to do the one that's just released), down load the script from nVidias drivers page (the same one as win users), run script, run the X config utility, restart X. Job's good 'un!

 

Well, the free drivers nearly always work a treat. It's just when you start using proprietary alternatives that the problems arise. If you do insist on using the “official” drivers, NVIDIA would be your best bet.

I take it you mean DMCA, and Microsoft deliberately implement it to prevent technical advancement of their operating system beyond Microsoft Way.

 

Double post.