+++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2003 21:17:04 -0800 (PST) From: Denis Dimick To: Rich Lentz Cc: 'PostTo ElecraftMailingList' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Linux I would start off with Redhat 8.0.. I've been using Linux for over 10 years, and have tried most of them. RH is not the "best" but as a new user, you should find it the easyest for you to get going with. I'm a RHCE, but given a choice I myself would run Debian.. -Denis On Sat, 15 Feb 2003, Rich Lentz wrote: > > I now have a "spare" PC and am serious about trying Linux. Can an > experienced Linux user/installer provide me with recommendations as to which > FREE Linux is worth the download bandwidth? (Caldera, Debian, any others) > Would prefer one with a desktop and that a "windows installer" (that is me) > could install. Have experience installing CPM and all the headaches > associated with that, but that was 25 years ago, and to old to do that > again. > > Would prefer off reflector responses. > > Rich > KE0X +++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 00:43:44 -0500 (EST) From: k4wtf at enterzone.net To: Rich Lentz Cc: "'PostTo ElecraftMailingList'" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Linux On Sat, 15 Feb 2003, Rich Lentz wrote: > > I now have a "spare" PC and am serious about trying Linux. Can an > experienced Linux user/installer provide me with recommendations as to which > FREE Linux is worth the download bandwidth? (Caldera, Debian, any others) > Would prefer one with a desktop and that a "windows installer" (that is me) > could install. Have experience installing CPM and all the headaches > associated with that, but that was 25 years ago, and to old to do that > again. > > Would prefer off reflector responses. > > Rich > KE0X Rich, I pesonally prefer Redhat. It is fairly easy to install and maintain. Note: Do yourself a favor. If you plan on plugging this box into the net (firewall or not), obtain the services of someone experienced in securing linux after you get your installation completed. 73 de John - K4WTF +++++++++++++++++ From: "Tony Wells" To: "Rich Lentz" Cc: Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Linux Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 09:47:33 -0000 Rich, Most Linux's are free, it is just the packaging up that is charged for. I've used most Linux's over the last 5 years and my vote is SuSe Linux. Most of the configurator tools are very mature - eg work reliably. Like you, I started on CP/M, and if you can do an install of CP/M on a new machine you can install Linux. One other technique I use all the time is to install VmWare Workstation on a windows machine and use VmWare to host a complete linux install. VmWare basically emulates a PC hardware platform. The Linux installation basically resides on a file on a Windows PC. It means that you can make copies of the installation before you fiddle about and do something dangerous. Have a lot of fun :-) Tony ++++++++++++++++ From: paynej1 at earthlink.net To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 12:56:14 -0500 Subject: [Elecraft] RE:Linux I find Mandrake to be the easiest to set up and get working. It will automatically link itself into a windows system on the same box, giving you access to windows files. It automatically configures many printers and video cards, and sets itself up for ADSL. The install is as slick as a greased pig, and goes without a hitch for me. I'm using version 9.0, and it even goes and looks for upgrades as a part of the install process with my ADSL connection. Hope this helps and have fun! 73 de John N4FLJ +++++++++++++++++ Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 12:15:17 -0800 (PST) From: Denis Dimick To: k4wtf at enterzone.net Cc: Rich Lentz , 'PostTo ElecraftMailingList' Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Linux If you have a small PC.. ie: Pent-90.. Then look at a free product called "Smoothwall" www.smoothwall.org On Sun, 16 Feb 2003 k4wtf at enterzone.net wrote: > > On Sat, 15 Feb 2003, Rich Lentz wrote: > > > > > I now have a "spare" PC and am serious about trying Linux. Can an > > experienced Linux user/installer provide me with recommendations as to which > > FREE Linux is worth the download bandwidth? (Caldera, Debian, any others) -- snip -- +++++++++++++++++++ From: "Rich Lentz" To: "Elecraft Reflector" Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2003 21:44:16 -0600 Subject: [Elecraft] Linux - Summary Thought that you would want to know the results. Red Hat - 8 Mandrake - 5 SuSe - 1 Smothwall - 1 Decided on Red Hat. If you want to down load - three important criteria 1) be on a high speed connection - Cable. 2) Try a college mirror on Saturday night/Sunday morning - They were 20 time faster than Red Hats download (they must have a speed limit to minimize downloads). 3) do = the checksum on the image. Installed in under twenty minutes. BUT my pci stuff wasn't recognized. After finding out that my motherboard doesn't talk to Linux found out = the fix is "linux pci=3Dbios,biosirq" at the first prompt "boot:" = upon initial loading AND then to add "pci=3Dbios,biosirq" after = "root=3DLABEL=3D/" i.e., " ... root=3DLABEL=3D/ pci=3Dbios,biosirq" in the grub.conf = file (found in /boot/grub/ when you log on as administrator (username =3D root, = password =3D whatever you assigned for administrator)). After that fix (which needed another reload), the system works great I = mean GREAT. Everything I need (except for ham radio programs). Works as = good (better than) Win-2000. Until you are experienced I would recommend = playing on a spare hard drive before trying to make a dual boot system. Rich KE0X ++++++++++++++++++ From: Marteinn Sverrisson Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:44:43 +0000 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Linux - Summary I have used Linux since version 0.12,, (never used Window$ :-) ) NO viruses to worry about, I can open any email without worry... Now I use Debian. Hard to install but easy to maintain. I use kde and have 8 virtual screens, with worldclock, logging, spot, mozilla, ,etc running all the time. Back up my files now and then using standard backuptools and a CDWriter. Always (24h/day) have the computer running, (last reboot 30 days ago, for maintainance) and with ADSL connection to a router/firewall, For logging I use my own Logging program written in tk/tcl. for psk I use kpsk, for rtty/mfsk I use gmfsk, for filter adjustment I use: baudline: http://www.baudline.com/ it is free for private use, a great program... just my $0.02,,, 73, Matti, TF3MA http://www.raunvis.hi.is/~matti/TF3MA/ ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 18 Feb 2003 17:29:39 -0500 (EST) From: k4wtf at enterzone.net Reply-To: k4wtf at enterzone.net To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Linux - Summary Rich, Now that you've got the box up, some VERY important steps that you skipped is: (4) Secure it (5) Secure it (6) Secure it The following commands are VERY handy for doing this: pstree Simplified output of ps in a "tree" format. Note: often times, when a box is compromised, the "script kiddies" neglect to trojan pstree to hide their tracks and thus, ps will lie to you but, pstree won't. /sbin/chkconfig --list | grep ":on " See what is starting when you boot the box. Sadly, we have yet to convince packagers that security is more important than "convenience" and thus, by default, many things that are NOT typically needed are loaded by default. You want to limit your potential exposure. You don't want potentially exploitable code running, especially when you don't use it for anything! (Your firewall - if you have one - is nifty but, my 'leet skillz are more nifty and I can still find your 'sploitable boxen!) netstat -lnp See what is listening, where it is listening. Once you get your box the way you want it, a "snapshot" of the output of those commands is a handy comparrison to check in the future if you suspect a compromise. Consider setting up iptables to further secure the box itself. As indicated in my signature, I do this for a living so, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. 73 de John - K4WTF --- John Fraizer | High-Security Datacenter Services | President | Dedicated circuits 64k - 155M OC3 | EnterZone, Inc | Virtual, Dedicated, Colocation | http://www.enterzone.net/ | Network Consulting Services | ++++++++++++++++++++