Introduction - Comments - Questions

[vuserv]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and Linux. I work in the tech industry installing/programming TDM and VoIP voice and data products for a major manufacturer. From my perspective it appears the voice future is likely to go heavily towards linux so I felt a need to start learning. Due to my extensive travel (more than 70% on the road internationally) I needed a laptop/notebook to learn with. Dual booting my work PC didn't seem like a great option as I assume I'll make a mess of things a few times and don't want to lose the ability to have access to my work info at all.

I own a BenQ S61 I bought 1.5 years ago and have been happy so I bought another one for this purpose. I ended up with an S32W, 64 bit processor with quite a few bells and whistles. I bought it in Bangkok, where I visited last weekend, for around $900. They keep costs down by loading linpus linux for the sale and then once sold install a bootleg version of MS Vista. I think I was their first customer that actually wanted to use linux. It worked in my favor because not much worked on the system: no ethernet, no audio, no USB, you get the idea. Nothing but a monitor keyboard, CD/DVD and and OS to work with. This helped me get a little knocked off the price.

Since I bought this to learn, I thought it would be a great challenge to stick it out and try to see what I could make functional. Then I read some not so good comments on linpus so quickly threw in the towel. I am in the Philippines now and have a relatively slow internet connection so downloading a DVD didn't seem like a good idea. I decided to go with the OpenSuse 64bit 10.3 CD install option. I had no idea what I was in for but then this was all about learning so I decided to go for it. I have SuseLinux 10.1 on a home box but I'm never home so don't have much time to use it. I mention this because I was familiar with Yast and the install process a little.

The install went amazingly smooth. The disk was able to make the ethernet connection work so I was immediately downloading updates/software from somewhere right in the middle of the install. In fact, I got a little carried away choosing software options and ended up with 2.7GB of data to retrieve, so much for avoiding the DVD download...

Once running I found that my wireless connection isn't working, I'm not sure about bluetooth, I had some problems with sound on a webpage, though system sounds can be heard. None of these issues I consider to be a big deal. As I said, I want to get into how this thing works and this will be a good way. I'm sure I can find countless resources on this forum and others to help if I need it.

One thing I want to do if possible is load another stripped down version as a second boot option, in which to practice with. I thought slackware might be a possibility but there isn't any 64bit support supposedly. I'm considering FreeBSD or Gentoo but thought I'd ask for comments on these installed on a 64bit laptop. Again, I'm not looking for something that will detect everything immediately and get me up and running right away, I want to configure it all myself.

Also, in the windows world I protect my time with TrueImage. I use it regularly to rebuild systems to a known good state. What are my options in the linux world to do this?

Thanks for any info/suggestions you can provide. Hopefully someday I'll be able to contribute too.

V

[oz]

Welcome to the forums, vuserv!

Arch, Crux, Gentoo, and Slackware are all good "configure it yourself" distros, meaning that most configuration is done manually. Crux and Gentoo install from source, so it can take a long time (many hours, or possibly days) to get them fully installed. Arch and Slackware install from binary files, so they install fairly quickly. If you really do want to learn, I'd suggest trying all of them since they are free to download.

For some backup and recovery options, take a look here:

Backup & Recovery | Linux App Finder

You will find some TrueImage type apps there, along with other possible options.

Have fun with Linux.

[techieMoe]

One thing I want to do if possible is load another stripped down version as a second boot option, in which to practice with. I thought slackware might be a possibility but there isn't any 64bit support supposedly.

Yes, as far as I know there is no "official" 64-bit version of Slackware yet. However if you're just doing this for a learning experience I don't see any harm in using the 32-bit version. The main advantage you have when using 64-bit is access to more RAM. That's about it right now.

Just a word of advice: some distributions aren't as stringent on quality control with their 64-bit versions as they are with the 32-bit. I've run into strange problems sometimes because of this (I'm looking at you, Ubuntu).

I'm considering FreeBSD or Gentoo but thought I'd ask for comments on these installed on a 64bit laptop. Again, I'm not looking for something that will detect everything immediately and get me up and running right away, I want to configure it all myself.

If that's what you're looking for you've chosen the right operating systems to start with. Gentoo in particular will force you to configure everything manually, particularly if you start with a Stage 1 install.

[oz]

Just a word of advice: some distributions aren't as stringent on quality control with their 64-bit versions as they are with the 32-bit. I've run into strange problems sometimes because of this (I'm looking at you, Ubuntu).

Not sure, but I tend to think that maybe all 64bit distro versions are kept a bit further back on the burner at least until 64bit becomes more widely used. If I had a 64bit machine, I'd probably be more inclined to go with the 32bit version of my favorite distro simply based on the problems I've read that were posted by 64bit users.