Linux Forum

**rubicon** · 02-13-2005, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by stevieg

Hey the more we argue the more *nix people will join in to drum up support for a forum!

Sure, activity =~ interest, but a lot of people get turned-off by holy wars. That, and non-*NIX folks see the arguments, and wonder "what the fark everybody is *****ing about" and "i'll just stick with winxp thank-you-very-much" and it ends up being counterproductive, in that newbies have no idea what's going on - just that everybody's yelling.

Besides, this is a forum about car audio computers, and such arguments really have no place. I'll gladly entertain [rational] arguments about which OS/distro/etc is best, but it's important to remember that fact.

**Bugbyte** · 02-13-2005, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by 0l33l

Exactly my point

I'd still combine the two

No, no! OSX user here<-- Don't combine them. Yes, OSX runs on the BSD with mach kernel. Yes, many unix programs can be run on the Mac but us average Mac users like OSX which wraps a nice GUI around the rock solid kernel. Every time I have to use a terminal window (not much) I think "there must be a GUI out there that does this for me".

It's not that I don't "get" Unix. I've got a whole book on how to use it that I've actually read. I just don't have enough patience to memorize all the commands. Linux/Unix folks are tinkerers, mechanics and power users. They need their own forum.

**0l33l** · 02-13-2005, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Every time I have to use a terminal window (not much) I think "there must be a GUI out there that does this for me".

And that's why I laugh at MAC people

**khemical** · 02-13-2005, 08:59 PM

Linux vet here since 1.x kernels....been so long i dont even remember....

Originally Posted by TheLlama

I think its just the lack of easily configurable frontends that shy people away from using Linux. That and the fact they need to learn a new OS... But knowledge is power. Therefore Linux knowledge = Linux power.

To get people started using a linux frontend, I don't think this is an issue. If the user never needs to leave to front end, but say leave an sftp open for files, it could be executed well. The main problem is, the modules needed to talk to the touchscreens aren't always there or are flakey. This is the reason why windows is very successful, because you pretty much can throw anything at it, and use it right away. With linux distros, even the newer ones, this isn't true.

One thing that would need to set up is a HCL (hardware compatability list) so that people who want the frontend/backend, knew what they would be getting into. Personally, I can't afford a lot of hardware, so I can't even start it. As of right now, I don't think I have any hardware that I plan on using in my card, except maybe my wireless card.

I could start compiling a list together from other resources (read: google), but I think a real mp3car test would be needed to know the extent of usability....

But i think this forum will be successful.

steve

**khemical** · 02-13-2005, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by TheLlama

Yeah, live cds aren't a good way to learn Linux. They are limited and you can't configure anything. I'd assume you would get frustrated and end up cursing Linux. I would recommend Fedora or Mandrake for a first time Linux user. Gentoo is the ultimate distro for experienced users. If this Linux thing works out I think I may open my player source, we may be able to start collaborating on an open source Linux media player/frontend/gps etc..

Just checked out your player....pretty cool, but opening your code probably wouldn't do much for anyone. I am sure most of the people here plan to use a GUI and Mplayer/Xine as the multimedia player. Not agasint character displays and all, but they just leave someing to be desired....

steve