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Subject : Re: LUG: linux help

From : Alex Marten <alex.marten@gmail.[redacted]>

Date : Tue, 15 Nov 2005 15:17:19 -0500

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I am not an expert on the Realm linux kit offered by NCSU so I am not
fully aware of all it offers the user in terms of NCSU services. I do
however feel that the versions available free of charge and based on
older Red Hat distros are out of date. I do not know the status of
the Realm kit for Fedora maybe someone else could chime in here.

Personally I suggest Ubuntu for any box that will be used for academic
research purposes. My reasoning is as follows: it is straight forward
and easy to use, it will just work, and therefore allow you to just
work. Upgrades do not break the box. Installing and upgrading
software with apt (which has a graphical and command line interface)
in my opinion is more efficient than other package management tools
out there. Out of the box hardware support is better than most
distros available.

Ubuntu plays well with the NCSU AFS environment allowing you to access
files and run programs (such as MATLAB, SAS, etc.) with very little
effort. I put together a brief howto
(http://www.equivalentsystems.net/marten/ubuntuafs.php) if you do
decide to go the Ubuntu route.

On 11/15/05, Jeff Laiosa <jeff_laiosa@ncsu.[redacted]> wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I would like some help installing linux on a on-campus box. I am getting
> a little lost in all of the NCSU Linux documentation out there. Between
> CLS and the Realm Linux docs, I am going a little cross-eyed trying to
> figure out which is most current and accurate. Could someone lay it out
> for me? Specifically, Here are a few things I'm a little confused about:
>
> 1.) What do I need to get started? I have a Dell that is a few years old
> and will more than likely meet all of the hardware requirements.
> 2.) Is Realm Linux widely supported on campus? What are the advantages
> of going with Realm Linux over the many other choices of distros out
> there? Are there licensing issues? How much do they cost?
> 3.) Am I really that much better off using Realm? Or should I pick some
> other distro like, Red Hat, Fedora, etc.
>
> I already posted this to realmlinux-user@ncsu.[redacted] and have received no
> response.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Jeff Laiosa
> NC State University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
> Communication Services
> jeff_laiosa@ncsu.[redacted]
>
>


--
Alex Marten
alex.marten@gmail.[redacted]


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