RE: New User Building Linux Machine

[Alan Mead <adm ipat com>]

At 08:58 PM 4/6/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Greetings all :
>
>I realize that one could easily get a "better" machine in terms of raw
>hardware by purchasing from a major vendor, e.g., Dell, Gateway, etc..
>However, my (perhaps incorrect) impression after lurking here for several
>days is that non-standard hardware and proprietary systems - like
>ompaq's  - seem to lead to substantial and/or elusive problems, such as are
>discussed in this forum.  While I don't mind the time spent to build my own
>machine ( fun ! ), i will gladly pass on a Quixotic adventure to make my
>sound card work or printer print ....

Linux isn't a toy OS, it is extremely robust.  You are correct that some
drivers are not available or some hardware really shouldn't see the light
of day and I'd be foolish to tell you to ignore hardware compatibility...
but if Linux did not generally work, it would not be used generally.  I've
not had the luxury of specifying the hardware of the older machines I've
used Linux on and I've had few problems.  OTOH, I would avoid integrated
stuff (like nics!) unless you know it's compatible or can disable it.

Also, I think you're fooling yourself if you don't think there is a
Quixotic adventure in your future if you choose Linux no matter what the
hardware.  *I* think those are the fun parts but if you want to avoid them:
 don't touch anything once it works.  My servers work for weeks until I
come by and start tweaking or install something new and then something else
might break.  And I learn something.

-Alan
---
Alan D. Mead  /  Research Scientist  /  adm ipat com
Institute for Personality and Ability Testing
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