[LUAU] Dis N Dat

[Jim Thompson]

On Mar 30, 2007, at 4:41 PM, Jacques L. Yerby wrote:

> Aloha,
>
> I'm a retiree with some things I'd like to try.
>
> My background:  computer operations and management (USAF), computer
> security (Space Shuttle); software development (Army Helicopter  
> Improvement
> Program); software & network admin (GSA @ Hickam, PH, and Wheeler);  
> and
> instructor (HPU).
>
> Years ago I bought the infamous Slackware Linux Bible and installed  
> Slackware
> on my PC (Compaq I think).  I did it manually to include a phone  
> dialer
> (remember them?)
>
> Now I am running SuSe 10 on a Sony VAIO desktop with Windows XP Home.
> I also have a Gateway Laptop with XP Pro and a brand new MacBook  
> dual-core
> Intel with the latest version of OS X.  This brings me to what I  
> want to do.
>
> Some questions:
> 1. You guys have been partial to Ubuntu in the past.  What is/are  
> the more
> popular easy to install distributions these days?

I'd say the majority of the list is partial to fedora, with ubuntu  
(all flavors) a close second.

> 2.  I usually pre-allocate my partition space for Linux.  I don't  
> trust auto
> partitioning.  What's a recommended partition size for Linux?

I trust auto-partitioning, unless its an internet-connected server,  
with the requirement
to keep the root, /usr and /var filesystems "safe" from being  
filled.   Otherwise, these
days I normally build a big / and mount that.

> 3.  I'm assuming that I can install Linux on an external USB2 drive  
> and plug i
> it in to boot on my laptop.

If your laptop supports booting external USB drives, yes.

> 4.  Multiple Linux boots:  Are most distributions similar enough  
> that one can
> install then into the same partion(s) and give each kernel a  
> different name
> in the /boot directory?  Or would it be better to create a  
> separate /boot for
> each distribution.  I am assuming that /usr /var /etc and the rest  
> are pretty
> standard across the Linux universe or am I wrong.

Most of the differences are user-land, so no.

> 5.  Can one put freeBSD on an external USB2 drive?
Yes

> The rest are MacBook questions.
>
> 1.  Is there a special distribution for Intel Macs or will any  
> distribution
> run under Boot Camp?
>
> 2.  Will Linux run under the Parallel software?
>
> 3.  Is there a standalone distribution for the Intel Mac?  I guess  
> this is a
> variation of #1 above.

Once you've got Bootcamp running its mostly drivers.

> 4.  I am assuming that here also I can install onto an external USB or
> Firewire drive to save space on the smallish internal drive.

smallish?  Mine is 120GB, and I've seen 200GB.

but the answer is 'yes' (subject to having bootcamp installed first)


> I have 4 palm sized HD models designed for laptops:  2 @ 40GB, 1 60GB
> and 1 120GB.  I saw a nice 160GB palm sized HD at Costco for about  
> $130
> a few weeks ago.
>
> Anyway, suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Mahalo,
> Jacques L. Yerby
> USAF Ret.
> Punchbowl
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