[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux newbie has a few questions

[scott thomason]

I'm not from your geography, but I would imagine the folks in this LUG will soon be tripping over themselves to invite you to the next LUG meeting so you can see Linux in action.

As a developer, I'd take a Linux workstation over Win-anything any day. It's been a year since I used FBSD, but IMHO you have many more options under Linux in terms of interface, tools, etc. that you can simply install via a .rpm or .deb (if you go that route). Once you get used to it, it's so much more powerful than Windows, plus you can test things locally before you even hit the test machine (as an infrastructure developer, this happens more often than you expect...e.g., testing a new release of mysql).

If you aren't "power users" of MS Office, you might find something like Star Office (which I don't personally like, but many do) meets your MS Office compatibility needs perfectly. It's a little bulky for my taste.

You can certainly use dual boot machines, but do you really need to? Would an SSH, telnet, or X session give you what you need while still running under windows?

Hope this helps. From your Wisconsin brethren...
---scott

On Sat, 20 Jan 2001 12:45:21 -0600, Geoff Staples said:

> Here's my situation. I've been in the computer business as a programmer,
>  systems designer, newsletter owner, project manager, and CIO.
>  
>  In my present re-incarnation, I have just started a new web hosting company
>  (www.HostGod.com). We specialize in PHP and mySQL website development. So, I
>  am now a PHP and mySQL developer. (Haven't got a clue about Perl, but I'm
>  pretty good with PHP, Java, ASP, ColdFusion, and other tools that we use!)
>  Our servers are in Canada and run freeBSD. Our focus is PHP and mySQL rather
>  then the other tools mentioned (even though we do development in those areas
>  as well.)
>  
>  The above is to give you a context for the questions I'm going to ask.
>  
>  Currently, we are running a Windows NT Server / MS BackOffice server. I want
>  to replace this with a Linux server that will be used for the following:
>  
>  Run Linux, Apache, PHP, and mySQL to be used as a web development tool.
>  
>  This will NOT be used to test software that supports web-hosting. It WILL be
>  used to develop and test websites.
>  
>  I would also like to use this machine as Proxy Server and Firewall for
>  Internet access by our entire LAN.
>  
>  All of the above seems to me to be pretty straight forward, although I'm
>  sure I'll have questions about which software to use.
>  
>  NOW THE ACTUAL QUESTIONS!
>  
>  Should I use Linux boxes as programmer development workstations or should
>  the developers machines run Windows 2000 pro?
>  
>  Given general office administrative functions, is it realistic to get rid of
>  ALL of our Windows machines for clerical / administrative personnel?
>  
>  Or, do I need to keep Windows on the desktops of admin folks?
>  
>  If I continue with Windows for website developers and for administrative
>  staff, should I be using Linux for anything other then servers?
>  
>  FINALLY,
>  
>  (And I know you will find this unbelievable) But, I've never actually seen a
>  Linux machine, much lest played with one. Where can I go to see an actual
>  Linux workstation, well outfitted with Linux software so that I can get an
>  idea of what the touch and feel of a Linux system is?
>  
>  WELL, THIS REALLY IS THE FINAL ITEM:
>  
>  If I need to give developers and/or administrative personnel access to both
>  Linux and Windows, can I get by with dual boot machines or do I need to put
>  two workstations at the desks of those that need access to both Linux and
>  Windows?
>  
>  Thank you in advance for any wisdom you may willing to share!
>  
>  Geoff Staples
>  www.HostGod.com
>  3883 Turtle Creek Blvd., Suite 1812
>  Dallas, Texas    75219-4432
>  214.599.0260
>  
>  _______________________________________________
>  http://ntlug.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>