Storm Linux 2000 Debian GNU Linux
Written: Jul 09 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very stable, good installation scripting and menu systems
Cons: It's unix, so it scares people
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| GP_Flash's Full Review: Debian GNU |
Distributed with a few flavors in mind, debian linux is a great operating system. I've installed and used it as a desktop computer for the last month or so and will provide the following observations:
1. Version: I am using Storm Linux 2000, which is a debian variant. I have had no real problems with this at all, and it is GNU, as the base debian is. I got my version from a CD-Rom that came with MaximumLinux Magazine for May/Jun 2000.
2. Installation: Installation was very simple. The CD-Rom booted and after telling it to setup the 2nd drive in my computer, it went about the tasks of installing the software without issue. The whole thing was graphical, and there were some good prompting to guide the user through setting it up. I do have a couple of minor concerns, in that the new user is directed to an easy track that simply installs what the program producers figured was the "best" setup; however, without knowing something about *nix flavor operating systems, the new user would not have been able to discern which of the packages would be wanted or needed anyway.
3. Booting: Through the install, I had the program setup Xwindows with the KDE interface and boot directly into it on startup. With Xwindows in place, I have had literally no problems with the system at boot time. The graphical interface provided over LILO provides a menu system for booting into linux or into windows, as it is a dual boot system. The system is straight forward to the point that all of my kids 5 and older can choose which operating system they want.
4. Kids on the system: I had the install program install most of the programs, including the games. I did this intentionally, as I wished my kids to have some interest in this and use the linux system as well. The best way to get them to use, and ultimately learn the system is to give them something of interest on it. My eldest son (9 years old) had his own login on the box and does boot it into linux from time to time just to play the games. I consider this a real plus, as he, at 9 years old, realizes there are multiple types of operating systems and is being introduced to them.
5. My Goal: My goal was to make the debian desktop computer as functional as the Windows boot on the other drive. To that end, I have added several things, the biggest of which was Star Office 5.1 (free download from www.sun.com, but it was huge and took forever over a modem connection). I think the total download was 57Mb. The install went extremely smooth and the system is running well. With Star Office, I have been able to pass my Office 97 documents back and forth, editing and using them between the two systems.
6. The network: The entire network is connected to the internet via cybergen's Sygate server software running on an old computer. This has proven remarkably reliable in the past, running either with assigned private IP's or with DHCP servers. I set this computer up to connect via the server with an assigned private IP address. The only issue this has caused is a connect issue with ICQ, that I have to believe is the sygate software and the dedicated IP address far more than the debian setup.
7. The ultimate internet test: The ultimate internet test for my *nix based boxes is www.pogo.com. I have yet to get a *nix box with netscape setup to run the programs on these pages without netscape crashing out and maxing out cpu usage within 10 to 15 minutes of my starting to use them. I'm still not sure what the issue is on this one, but have done no better with this one than I have with any of the other's that I've tried. I've put in updated java plugins, installed special versions of netscape, etc and still, I can't get past this netscape crash in the Pogo games. I am convinced; however, that this is a netscape issue and not an OS issues, as it's happened in Mandrake, FreeBSD and now debian.
Overall, debian linux and especially Storm Linux 2000 is a good operating system: Very stable, nice install that even a novice could get through and good menus and documentation for everyone. I'm not a *nix "newbie", yet I've appreciated more of the help information than most as my setups are often quite "unique".
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
GP_Flash
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Location: Clinton, NC
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 11 members
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