Thread: Linux or winblows

Probably the worst place to ask, but lets start the discussion... What OS do I want for my carpc (largely still in planning / aquisition phase)?

Not a complete linux newbie - but it's been at least 5 years since I've run it (first install was kernel 0.86 (slackware), last was the original redhat release). Understand the basics but it's gonna be a hell of a retraining from what I see from playing with the knoppix livecd.

Primary need is as a network/print server (odd I know) mainly routing connections to public wifi's and a couple private systems I pay for access to (want it to sniff em out and connect where possible) and puking out files to my HP deskjet 350 (current laptop requires a reboot every time I connect to recognize it due to usb-> parallel connection). GPS will be used mostly for datalogging - I'm working on figuring out how to puke that to a website so I can eliminate those doze "where are you - where are you going" calls a day. Occasional use - GPS navigation and MP3 serving (Neither is likely more than 2-3x per month - keeping my kenwood head unit for radio/music) as well as tuning megasquirt - easily handled by megatune - available for linux.

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Current/planned hardware:
Toughbook CF-45 - Convenient with the already owned aspect including stupid $$$ panasonic 12v car plugin -> laptop adapter. Conveniently has real Serial / Parallel / VGA ports on the back + dual pcmcia + usb of course.

Deskjet 350 printer

Orinoco 802.11b pcmcia
(2nd wireless card to be determined - got the MA101 USB running under knoppix livecd - may use that)

Still looking for the right in-dash LCD touchscreen for my application

May add a cellphone for alternative data access

GPS receiver - undecided on hardware

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Obviously network/file/printer sharing is easiest under linux... Wifi of course (especially hopping network to network) is more of a pain. GPS well reading here leads me to believe harder - yet the datalogging part is easier - it's the navigation that's more difficult... Megasquirt doesn't care either way.

Anyone seeing anything major I'm missing? Any specific software I should be sitting down with the howto's/faqs with?

Andy