From: Luke Ivers <technodolt@...>
Date: 2007-02-12T23:36:18+09:00
Subject: Re: Linux OS

------=_Part_67929_27283508.1171290975692
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

> I also think that if the OP just want to experiment with a GNU Linux
> system, in
> either a server or desktop configuration, either Ubuntu or Ubuntu server
> will
> do fine. Same goes with Debian or RedHat. Typically, the differences
> between a
> desktop specific distro and a server distro are irrelevant for
> experimentation
> and learning purposes. Most of the server oriented distros only differ
> fromt he
> desktop ones by having less desktop oriented add-ons (often they are
> included,
> but you have to select them manually), with the desktop distros, its the
> reverse, most of the key server stuff is there, its just not installed by
> default. Some packages may be slightly different, such as being compiled
> with
> options to support a server configuration (i.e. maybe set to use more file
> descriptors or with more restrictive but secure options to incrase system
> security etc).
>
> If all you really want is a linux box that has a web server, ruby, rails,
> a
> database and associated ruby packages, then any modern desktop distro will
> be
> fine. there is no need to worry about desktop vs server until you decide
> to get
> serious about developing server based apps in ruby and even then, you
> probably
> don't have to be too concerned until you get tot he UAT and production
> stages.
>
> regards,
>
> Tim
>
> --
> tcross (at) rapttech dot com dot au
>
>

While this is somewhat accurate, I do have enough experience with Linux/Unix
in general that hacking at Gentoo is okay with me.  I finally (after 6
initial failed attempts) got a build done late Saturday/early Sunday.  That
was on my home machine.  Today I'm going to mess around with it some more.
The only part that I'm having any real trouble with is customizing the
kernel before the build.  Everything else is pretty much straightforward
unix/linux stuff that you do on any server to get things done.  If anyone
has references to a guide or something (not the default Gentoo installation
guide) on what to do while configuring the kernel, I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks for everyone's help, it's greatly appreciated.

The vgrails thing sounds interesting, you can send me an email off-list if
you want.

technodolt :: at :: gmail :: dot :: com


Again, thanks to you all.

------=_Part_67929_27283508.1171290975692--