[NTLUG:Discuss] Admin tools

[Greg Edwards]

"Michael H. Collins" wrote:
> 
> Richard Geoffrion wrote:
> 
> > Wow!  I've never had two boxes that needed to be setup the same.  You are
> > ONE LUCKY GUY, Ken.
> >
> > Michael, can one use Linuxconf on a slackware box?  It doesn't come with my
> > distribution by default.
> 
> Dunno.  I never install it.  I learn from others and "others" all tell
> me not to trust the gui tools.  I tried linuxconf once and it broke
> things.  Used webmin after a presentation at the lug.  It broke stuff
> too.  8-)
> 
> >
> 
> --
> Michael H. Collins                     http://www.linuxlink.com


The reason I wanted to drop Linuxconf is cause it broke more than it
fixed.  It seemed like I spent more time fixing than if I had hand
edited in the first place.  I agree with others that you need to know
what's going on underneath.  But where I disagree is that all config
should be done by hand.  There are just way too many config items
needing to be done in a networked setup.  If your only dealing with 1
box fine.

Webmin is no piece of cake to get to know either.  Once you've put in
the time and cussing it takes to get familiar with it you can get allot
done in a very short period of time.  I covers allot more territory than
Linuxconf and you can do all of you boxes from a single work station. 
There are some things that you simply can't do from anywhere but a
keyboard and screen attached directly to the box but webmin does reduce
this number significantly.

On last comment about webmin.  Like most open source its a solid tool
but its docs basically suck:)  Some sections are better than others but
as a whole your on your own and trial and error is the order of the
day.  It won't teach you how to config a machine or network but as
advertised its a tool not magic.

-- 
Greg Edwards
New Age Software, Inc.
http://www.nas-inet.com