Linux game rpm

Red Hat, Caldera well established in Linux game, but other distributions like Debian have advantages

There are currently seven leading Intel-based distributions of Linux in the North American market. The reason for this diversity is that nobody owns Linux. Although each distribution has a common core, each offers a slightly different vision of the "perfect" total package. Distribution differences lie mainly in the areas of installation programs, update procedures, included packages and philosophy.

The good news is that there are no bad Linux distributions. They're all quite capable. The bad news is that you have to make a choice.

Red Hat

Durham, N.C.-based Red Hat Inc.'s Linux (www.redhat.com) is the leading North American distribution and has held this position for some time. Red Hat 6.0 is a well-balanced distribution, easily installed as a server or a workstation. Red Hat's highly publicized partnerships with major hardware and software vendors make it a good selection for enterprise Linux. Red Hat developed the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) used by most of the other Linux distributions.

The main problem Red Hat has had is with uneven distributions. Its 5.0 release was ragged, and 5.1 contained some security flaws (all quickly addressed).

By 5.2 it was rock solid. The process is being repeated with 6.0, which incorporates the new Linux 2.2 kernel. Several things that worked in 5.2 were broken by 6.0 and Red Hat has still not resolved all the pieces. In fairness, it should be noted that other distributions that have moved to the 2.2 kernel have similar problems.

Mandrake Linux

Some call Paris-based MandrakeSoft SA's Linux (www.linux-mandrake.com) a "better Red Hat" or "Red Hat on steroids." It is based directly on Red Hat but with some significant tweaks.

Every program is compiled for the Pentium processor, rather than the generic 386, which gives it an edge in performance.

Mandrake has also embraced the KDE desktop interface more wholeheartedly than Red Hat itself. Mandrake 6.0 is a particularly good alternative to Red Hat 6.0 for those who value using KDE as a desktop manager.

Slackware Linux

The oldest existing Linux distribution, Slackware Linux (www.slackware.com) is highly regarded by many Linux vets for bucking the trend towards baroque distributions.

Slackware is a conservative distribution, put together by a single individual, Patrick Volkerding. Volkerding has a good track record - he has consistently been more interested in simplicity and stability than trying to be first out of the gate with new features.

Even so, Slackware 4.0 sports the Linux 2.2 kernel as well as the modern KDE interface. It keeps pace serenely.

Slackware is a particularly good release for servers. It uses tar-based TGZ packages, rather than RPMs, and the simplified, heavily-commented init scripts make editing very straightforward.

Slackware feels very familiar to anyone with previous Unix system administration experience.

Caldera OpenLinux

Caldera Systems Inc. of Orem, Utah (www.calderasystems.com) has always courted the corporate market and, like Red Hat, has secured some major partnerships with hardware and software vendors.

Until recently, however, Caldera was never much of a favourite among users. This is changing rapidly with Caldera OpenLinux 2.2.

OpenLinux 2.2, an RPM-based distribution using the Linux 2.2 kernel, includes Lizards (Linux wizards) that allow the Linux installation to be done from Windows. Assuming coexistence with Windows, Caldera includes a stripped-down version of Partition Magic to make the installation easier for newbies.

The Caldera Lizard installation, by default, creates a graphical login and a KDE environment, both of which are better suited to workstations than to servers. Those who prefer a standard login and little or no graphics must re-configure the system after installation.

The other, somewhat inelegant option, is to perform the older, traditional LISA installation from a floppy you create from the Caldera CD. This method provides a greater range of setup choices.

SuSE Linux

The distribution from SuSE Holdings AG of Nuremberg, Germany Linux (www.suse.com) is gaining a significant following in North America. While eminently suitable for server use, SuSE is the ultimate workstation Linux.

SuSE 6.1 - a monstrous, five-CD package based on the Linux 2.2 kernel - includes more optional software than any other distribution.

SuSE is an RPM-based distribution that uses an impressive program called YAST (Yet Another System Tool) for system administration. While Caldera may be the easiest Linux to install, SuSE is the easiest Linux to administer. In addition, SuSE has the best user manual of all the distributions.

Debian GNU/Linux

Debian GNU/Linux (www.debian.org) is a distribution with an attitude. Sponsored by Software In The Public Interest (SPI) Inc., it implements many of the philosophical tenets of the Free Software Foundation, as espoused by FSF founder Richard M. Stallman.

If you agree with the explicit goals of Stallman's GNU Project, this is the distribution for you. If there's any question about the 'openness' of a product's licensing, it is simply not included in the core release.

Philosophy aside, Debian is an excellent distribution. It is conservative, solid, and has the best update-upgrade mechanism of all the distributions.

It uses the DEB package format, which some believe to be better than the more widely used RPM.

Debian is the only non-commercial distribution, put together by volunteers across the Internet. It is somewhat marred by a package manager called dselect that is particularly awkward to use.

Corel Corp. of Ottawa has selected Debian as the basis for their forthcoming Corel Desktop Linux. If they can replace dselect with something more intuitive, Debian has the stuff to become a very popular distribution.

TurboLinux

TurboLinux Inc. (formerly known as Pacific HighTech) of San Francisco produces TurboLinux (Web site: www.turbolinux.com), the leading Asian distribution.

A relative newcomer, the English version of TurboLinux 3.0.1 is attracting a wider North American audience and, surprisingly, it has been endorsed by IBM Corp. as the distribution it ships with the Linux version of its DB2 database management system.

PHT has also signed an accord with Oracle.

TurboLinux is an RPM-based distribution modeled heavily on Red Hat. It is a high-quality, smoothly-engineered release with some nice graphical administration modules and good hardware detection. If the IBM venture pans out, we should be hearing much more about this one.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Plesman Publications
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group