Why Linux is Hard was Re: duplicate RPMs installed

[Donn Shumway]

I agree with you. I have never been of the opinion that Linux was a desktop
OS replacement. It is too hard for the average user, much less the casual
one. I use it as a dedicated server in my home network. Behind an adequate
(no mission critical data here) firewall, it provides me with the platform
to allow the Oracle database capability required for a dedicated training
and improvement environment. Yes, I could do the same thing on an NT box,
but that would not be as much fun, or as stable.

My linux boxes also provide a stable multiuser environment on the network.
Five other machines have access (I hate that word) to the database and tools
provided. In the end, I also gain a useful WEB server to learn new skills
before testing them on the public, for both myself and my wife (geek in
training). The Oracle WEB tools are growing and improving so quickly, it
seems that all these, once separate, skills are merging into a larger skill
set, raising the stakes for every Oracle developer. There is no rest if you
want to keep up.

Last, learning linux itself is very rewarding. It serves me as an enormous
source of unknown challenges. In this case, the journey has become almost as
valuable as the original goal. My current conundrum was caused by trying to
get my Voodoo3 card to work well in 3D so I could run a dedicated 'Terminus'
server, to play with/against my sons (persistant universe, et al.). Reminds
me of the little boy who needed to get some water from the well, but there
was a hole in the bucket...

I've rambled long enough. Thanks to all for your kind encouragement.
Donn

----- Original Message -----
From: "J.L.Francois" <frenchie@magusnet.gilbert.az.us>
To: <plug-discuss@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us>
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 11:43 PM
Subject: Why Linux is Hard was Re: duplicate RPMs installed


> This is the kind of stuff I don't understand.
>
> Linux/*NIX/*BSD was never designed to be *like* Windows.
> Look at the Kernel Traffic mailings and archived posts from Linus
> and you will see that his initial goal was an alternative to
> the UNIX systems that existed, not to replace any desktop OS.
> That happened later when everyone else jumped on the bandwagon.
>
> >From inception the *NIX type OSs were designed for
> knowledgeable people to use,deploy,configure, and maintain.
> The systems mentioned above were never considered to be used
> in an environment where someone without a CS degree would be
> handling the system/network admin functions of the OS.
>
> Even Microsoft has to have Certification because registry changes
> are not intuitive but no one really complains about those because
> the average uncertified Windows user doesn't even know they exist.
> Usually they fumble thru the GUI, cross their fingers and if it
> works, leave it until it BSODs, and start again.
> You can't fake it that way in the *NIX type systems.
>
> Asking for Windows like features for Unix like systems is like asking
> for a 3 speed Ferrari with an engine from a Geo Metro or
> a color coded mainframe that only runs one process at a time.
> Sure it runs, is simpler to maintain and operate but it was never
> designed to be operated that way.
>
> I find this fascinating because I consider Oracle to be
> an unfriendly database to install and maintain due to the
> amount of skill it takes to do it right.
> I would not ask a novice to do it and I don't think anyone
> is beating on Oracle' door demanding an install that does
> not require reading at least one of the manuals.
> Oracle/Database tuning is a black art at best.
> Kernel tuning is a close second.
>
> In the end you are correct if you want Linux to be an
> alternative desktop OS.
> However, most people deploying Linux are doing it in server
> configurations which changes everything including the required
> knowledge level of the deployer.
>
> Let's ask:
> How many people on this list that use Linux as a desktop
> OS have it *properly* installed in single user mode since all
> those extra pesky server daemons aren't needed?
>
> P.S. No apologies necessary for a well worded point of view :)
>
> JLF Sends...
>
> It seems like on Fri, Jul 07, 2000 at 06:57:42AM -0700, Donn Shumway
scribbled:
> Orig Msg> So, when there is a unified package system (similar to
Winblows??) you'll
> Orig Msg> join us people who don't have a clue?
> Orig Msg>
> Orig Msg> Get off your high horse and face reality. Not all of the people
that use
> Orig Msg> linux, bsd, unix, BeOS, etc., use them simply because they want
to get under
> Orig Msg> the hood. Not everyone is a programmer or a security expert. I
use it
> Orig Msg> because I like the unixlike interface, the fact that it doesn't
crash, the
> Orig Msg> feeling of exploration of something new (to me), and most of
all, because I
> Orig Msg> want a stable platform on which to install an Oracle database
(which I DO
> Orig Msg> know). I also use the RPMs whenever possible because the
Mandrake
> Orig Msg> distribution, like Redhat do some things in a somewhat unique
way (check the
> Orig Msg> location of the html directory in a Mandrake installed version
of Apache for
> Orig Msg> example). Using the RPMs usually ensures that complications that
arise from
> Orig Msg> the distributions quirks are kept to a minimum.
> Orig Msg>
> Orig Msg> Those that have to put someone down just to feel important have
lost touch
> Orig Msg> with the purpose of this or any user group, that is to share our
knowledge
> Orig Msg> and enjoyment of a common interest. Pardon me for using a tool
that someone
> Orig Msg> spent countless hours coding to make a more usable solution for
us all. If
> Orig Msg> you don't like it, or don't use it, useless opinions don't
contribute to the
> Orig Msg> question at hand. Save the bandwidth.
> Orig Msg>
> Orig Msg> Please pardon my diatribe.
> Orig Msg>
> Orig Msg> Donn
>
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