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VK2TV > PACKET 09.05.08 10:12l 130 Lines 6394 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 41045_VK2TV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re:Time to switch it all off?
Path: IZ3LSV<IQ0LT<IK2XDE<DB0RES<DK0WUE<7M3TJZ<F6CDD<F6BVP<VK2TV
Sent: 080509/0911Z @:VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC #:37358 [Kempsey, QF68JX] $:41045_VK
From: VK2TV@VK2TV.#MNC.NSW.AUS.OC
To : PACKET@WW
# Generated by: TstHWin v2.21b - Registered to VK2TV
# On : 5/9/2008 19:10:44
# UTC: 5/9/2008 9:10:44 A
>From: VK3API@VK3API.#MEL.VIC.AUS.OC
>To : PACKET@WW
>
>
Hi Tony, All,
Appropriate sniping to follow ...
>Just read VK2TV's comments on this subject and would like to add a couple.
>
>A few years ago there were very informative bulletins addressed to XP
>Win98 etc and all contained very usefull information to amateurs with
>basic computer problems, I never saw any on the topic of Linux perhaps now
>would be a good time for a Guru or two to have a say.
I have to agree with Tony, there are not many Linux bulletins floating
about on packet. Why? I can only pass comment based on my own areas of
involvement and what I see are some dedicated maiing lists that are
frequented by, in some cases, quite a few users. In other cases very few.
The aprs mailing lists attract a big crowd because there are currently lots
of users. I suspect aprs popularity will delcne somewhat in the coming
years, just like packet did, because ops find "it's not for me".
The fpac mailing list has few contributors but, there are not too many
Linux stations world-wide who run fpac, even though it walks all over the
standard Linuxnode, particularly with Rose networking. The xfbb mailing
list has marginally more contributors. Both lists go quiet at times but
helpers are always available for newbies.
In fairness, the speed of the internet enables rapid exchanges throughout
the course of the day but with internet links between packet bbs's, those
exchanges should be just as possible, for some stations. Keep in mind that
packet bbs's are a dying breed so many mailing list contributors either
don't have a local bbs or, they no longer have an interest in packet and
concentrate their interest in aprs.
>I have been following the comments by Ray and others on the APRS mailing
>list regarding Linux and have drowned in a sea of abbreviations and techno
>babble leaving me very little informed. I for one would like to know how
>many variations of Linux are available, what is each one good for and what
>the hell do all the abbreviations stand for. What Ham programs are
>available and which will run on what flavour of Linux.
What abbreviations are troubling you Tony? I will try to help. Post them
here.
How many variations of Linux? Think of a number, treble it, add you age,
and take away the street address next door! I'm not well versed in this
area but from what I do know, most distributions, as they are called, are
based on a small handful of, lets call them parent, distributions, or
distros. My area of familiarity is with Debian based systems. Debian is the
parent and there are numerous distros based on Debian. Kubuntu, Ubuntu and
Knoppix come to mind. The last three provide either greater user
friendliness or task specific options. There is a ham version of Knoppix,
for example.
Essentially, all distros will support amateur radio operations but some are
better equipped than others. A significant number of members of the Debian
development team are licenced amateurs. Other distributions are not so well
catered for.
The core of the Linux system is the kernel and most (all?) distros will
ship with a new(ish) kernel so there's little to choose from there. Most
distros have some form of package manager to facilitate the installation of
applications, development tools (for compiling programs), etc, etc. Some
distros have much better package management tools than others. Debian based
systems, I believe, have the best package management tools of any distro.
The dependancy checking (how one package affects or inter-operates with
others) is second to none in Debian systems.
There is a multitude of amateur radio based applications for Linux. Have a
look here http://radio.linux.org.au/?sectpat=All&ordpat=title
Having said that, many applications are available only as a source package
that has to be compiled to produce binaries. Compiling can be a bit of a
nightmare for newcomers, especially if something goes wrong. A newcomer is
advised to install from the distro-specific package, if available.
Just which distro a newcomer should use is very much a drawcard for
discussion. Whilst I have always used Debian based systems (16 years now),
and except for one disaster with Redhat, I believe the distro a newcomer
should use is the same distro as a nearby friend who is able to provide
support is using. (I recently, completely compiled and installed fbb,
fpac and all the required tools on a computer 900km away, so help doesn't
necessarily have to be on your doorstep. Secure, remote login with Linux is
as normal as breathing air.) However, I drove my mentor crazy in the first
couple of years with questions. Linux has come a long way since then and
most people are able to install from a live CDROM with no difficulty.
Distros such as Kubuntu and Ubuntu (the difference is the default desktop -
unlike Windows which has one standard desktop, there are literally dozens
available for Linux. Probably the most common are KDE (Kubuntu) and Gnome
(Ubuntu)) are particularly easy to install and are highly recommended.
>There were also some years ago a series of usefull bulletins on QBasic
>programming, quite helpfull to people who were trying to write some sort
>of Ham application. Over recent years there has been a lot of sneering by
>the C++ brigade but none have put their money where there mouth is and
>produced and disseminated via packet any useable articles or open source
>programs for amateur use.
If you get involved in compiling applications for Linux you will eventually
touch on C++ programming. I'm a complete twit when it comes to C++ despite
having a mountain of books on it. However, my years of Linux have enabled
me to muddle through some basic compile errors.
I may not know much about Linux but I know even less about Windows, and I'm
happy with that.
>Comments have been made that a lot of the tech stuff is now on internet
>lists and mail groups, well perhaps some kind member of some of those
>lists might reproduce the ham content on packet. It must have been the
>worlds greatest irony that the FBB mail list was moved to the internet
>instead of run on packet.
It's the question/answer turn around speed more than anything.
That'll do for now.
Cheers ... Ray vk2tv
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