Re: FN-FORUM: 'best' linux distro for windows networks

date posted 15th January 2004 15:45

> Damn, I missed this thread at the early stages so if I can wade in with
> a few points about linux distros for window networks.....

I'll not comment on the history lesson. Could well be helpful.

> So there are no really good single distros to choose from .

Eh? A huge leap there. I see no sequitur in there.

You can pick a good car for a certain role; you can pick a good distro.
Or, if you're being thorough, name 2 or 3 and offer a choice. No problem.

> 1. Server and network services.
>
> Use Debian.

Oh, bollocks. Huge, cryptic, messy, dated and lamentably lacking in admin
tools.

Look at Smoothwall for firewalls, e-Smith for everything else. Let the
weenies play for weeks writing smb.conf files if they like, I have a job
to do, thanks.

> 2. For Desktop and office application suppot.
>
> Use Knoppix

Not so bad, but not terribly Windows-like, its hardware detection is not
so good as it's reported to be, I find, and not a lot of use on a PII-266
with 64MB RAM.

> Finally Id like to state that I dont feel that linux is ready for the
> desktop market at a whole. Which is you read that statement carefully
> suggest that linux is ready for implementation at the desktop of
> receptionists , admin, clerical and processing staff. Its not ideally
> suited to specialist and functional procedures such as advanced
> accountants and customers with Access DB environments.

Agreed. It's good enough that it CAN be used but Windows - or better
still a Mac - remains vastly easier.



--
Liam Proven • http://lproven.livejournal.com