Choosing between compiling and a distro (sorta long)

Damien,

I agree with some of your points regarding choosing a distro over
compiling linux from scratch. It makes sense to have a distro at a
client site, especially if you may not be the only one working on the
system.

But lets not confuse learning linux versus using linux. We could set
up (and have) a user with a Linux Desktop on whatever distribution.
All would be well.

They would be able to print, do their word processing, etc.

They could blindly use this distro without knowing a thing about it.

Then there are the folks who want to learn linux. For these people, we
teach them how to compile the software, figure out dependencies, solve
problems that aren't in the documentation.

A majority of the problems I have had have been that the documentation
for a lot of the packages are geared towards the rpm style install. I
don't get enough information to be able to solve my problems when I am
compiling from the tarball. I have to go find the rpms, rip them
apart, look at how the setup script works, etc.

But one thing is for sure. If you have successfully compiled and
configured a package (or set of packages) from scratch, the problems
are not nearly as hard to track down.

Within AKLUG, we are serving both these needs. They are not mutually
exclusive.

My answer to the question "What distro should I use?" usually depends
on the users ability and willingness to solve their own problems. From
least willing and able to extremely willing to tinker, they are:

- You should find a company that has telephone support to hold your
hand when you have problems
- Use the distro of the person who is willing to help you from local
AKLUG group
- Give LFS or one of the other source based distros a try, it should be fun!

I'm sure there is some more grey in there, but you get the idea.

Mike B.

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Received on Tue Jan 2 16:28:58 2007