Debian Install Newbie Tips
Joshua C. Bergeron
plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
Wed, 7 Aug 2002 13:02:47 -0700
Derek,
One of the great things about the Linux and open source community in
general, is that there is a LOT of support. This mailing list is a prime
example. The odds are pretty slim that you would not be able to find a
timely solution to a problem that is occuring due to a 'custom' built linux
kernel; unless of course the kernel is riddled with propriatary code of your
own.
Lets face it; the Linux kernel has a lot of features that are enabled by
default, and many of them are not loadable kernel modules. This may be a
good thing or a bad thing, depending on the application of the particular
machine and the needs of it's administrator.
In some situations I would agree that the 'resources' saved are a good
thing; One situation would be your average linux desktop user who is happy
as long as the machine doesn't randomly reboot when building mozilla. In
production environments however, I would say that it is absolutely essential
to have custom kernel builds; even if only for optimized performance.
Just my two cents.
Thanks,
Joshua C. Bergeron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Derek Neighbors" <derek@gnue.org>
To: <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: Debian Install Newbie Tips
> Support. Plain and simple. With a custom kernel if you have somethign
> going wrong you are the only person on the planet running that kernel
> configuration. So it opens a huge can of worms for trouble shooting
> and feed back and such.
>
> If I were in a position that I really felt that I was bleeding performance
> by having extra modules available (its not like you have to load them) I
> would compile a kernel or if there was not a debian kernel available that
> had the features I needed.
>
> Certainly there is nothing wrong with compiling your own kernel, I just
> think the 'resources' saved are minimal in application weighed against
> having a wider userbase in which to garner support and such on.
>
> Nothing wrong with having differing opinions.
>
> -Derek
> On Wed, 7 Aug 2002, Mike Starke wrote:
>
> > I, on the otherhand, do just the opposite: I have used Debain
> > for years, and that is the first thing I do after an install (or,
> > rather part of the install process). Compile what I need in a brand
> > new kernel, and then I'm done.
> >
> > Is there a reason why you would run stock kernel's with
> > more features compiled than you need?
> >
> > v/r
> > Mike
> >
> > On Wed, Aug 07, 2002 at 12:25:47PM -0400, Robert Bushman wrote:
> > Ahhh, just the answer I was looking for. How
> > will this affect the other modules I specified,
> > like cmpci (my sound card), ide-scsi (to
> > emulate scsi for my burner), and eepro100?
> > Would they have been set up as external modules?
> >
> > Any thoughts on whether this will work with a
> > dual Athlon? (is the MP architecture manufacturer
> > independant?)
> >
> > On Wed, 7 Aug 2002, Derek Neighbors wrote:
> >
> > > I have a rule to only run stock Debian kernels unless absolutely
> > > mandatory. Compiling kernels is fun, but if stock one contains what I
> > > need, I just dont. ;)
> > >
> > > Have you tried apt-getting:
> > >
> > > kernel-image-2.4.18-686-smp - Linux kernel image 2.4.18 on
PPro/Celeron/PII/PIII/PIV SMP.
> > >
> > > -Derek
> > > On Wed, 7 Aug 2002, Robert Bushman wrote:
> > >
> > > > Is there some Debian way of reconfiguring
> > > > the kernel, or should I just do it the old fashioned
> > > > way? I forgot to add SMP, so only the right CPU
> > > > is working. It's fine when I run Gimp or OpenOffice
> > > > Impress, but if I try to fire up OpenOffice Calc or
> > > > GnuCash, it gets all disaffected, says something like,
> > > > "math is the hobgoblin of small minds", and goes off
> > > > in the corner to smoke clove cigarettes.
> > > >
> > > > I tried /usr/sbin/base-config, but it looks like that
> > > > starts after the kernel configuration.
> > > >
> > > > On Tue, 6 Aug 2002, Derek Neighbors wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > > - If you've got a big pipe, do a net install. Grab
> > > > > > the minimal .iso (about 10 megs). This way, you only
> > > > > > download what you're installing.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gack, its much easier to download 3 floppies. (root, rescue,
driver)
> > > >
> > > > *3* floppies? It took me half an hour yesterday
> > > > to dig up 2 floppies for LEAF. :)
> > > >
> > > > > <Lots of other good info>
> > > >
> > > > ________________________________________________
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> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 'Microsoft also warned today that the era of "open computing," the
> > free exchange of digital information that has defined the personal
> > computer industry, is ending.'
> >
> > http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/25/technology/25NET.html
> >
> > Will Microsoft permit you to use your mission critical data when
> > you need it? Linux will, and you have the source to prove it.
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
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