Re: newbie feedback


Subject: Re: newbie feedback
From: Jim Dory (jdory@gci.net)
Date: Fri Sep 06 2002 - 23:39:41 AKDT


Mike Barsalou wrote:

>I am looking for newbie feedback....for those of you who are new to the
>maillist as of a year ago...would you please let us know what kinds of
>information would have been helpful to get you to where you are today.
>
>Or if you are REALLY brand new. What kinds of information would be helpful
>to move you forward? What kinds of things would you expect to see at the IT
>Expo from our booth?
>
>Mike
>
>
>
I've probably been on for less than a year, forget when I first signed
on. Still very much a newbie and in fact have so little experience that
I find it hard to answer in any meaningful way. But figured you were
after data points so something might help.

I started out on Linux with Suse 6.1 when it first came out. Still have
the set if anyone wants to buy it. I installed it on some computer I
forget which, and had a heck of time getting through the install. But I
made it. Problem was and still is, I don't use it much because of being
wed to windows apps. I bought Suse 7.3 when it came out and had better
luck (as I recall the mouse was really a bear to get working in 6.1) but
still don't have my Wacom tablet working.. last time I tried I lost my
mouse. I'm starting to get somewhat better with the command line.

Now at work I've got a couple Cobalt Raqs that use the Redhat 6.2
kernel, modified to suit them. I've set one up with Samba and use it for
file sharing and internal DNS. I had help setting up the DNS and Webmin,
but since have installed some things like SSH and portsentry and some
other stuff. The other server is a web and email server which I've got
working. Alan C. here helped me get over some firewall issues and some
other stuff. (I'm about ready for a return trip, Alan...)

I've also bought a PC workstation for Autocad for work. The outfit, XI
computers, installed Redhat 7.3 on it as dual boot w/ W2k but since I'm
always using Autocad I don't get into Redhat much. And I've played
around a little with it but haven't yet got the networking on it to
work. Suse was easy in that respect.. or I'm missing something basic on
that Redhat. Not sure how to get around that Autocad issue, and now
we're looking at having to buy ArcView as a statewide standard in the
Alaska Coastal Management Program. So I'm hoping Wine or VMware or
something comes along to still be able to run these programs on Linux.

Anyway, back to the questions: the list has been enjoyable to follow but
most is over my head. I really do appreciate it when instructions are
given without assuming too much knowledge.. even when it is a discussion
between old timers .. because that is what I can refer to and learn from
when the time comes. Giving urls for resources has helped a bunch, and
discussions about what programs work and don't, and pitfalls in
installing/using them are a help. I've saved a bunch of messages, all
about different sorts of stuff. I figure if I keep reading it, I may get
something by osmosis. I get to play with the servers daily so that keeps
me in the game. (logs and dead dhcp or whatever..)

As to the second part, never been to anything like that so can't say.
Big disadvantage not being local to your group.

Cheers, JD

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