Why Linux?

[unlearnthetruth]

Can anyone tell me why i would install yellow dog linux on my mac? I decided to download it, out of curiosity, but before i install it.. why? what advantages/disadvantes does linux have? i know nothing about it, and would like to learn! Thanx!

[RacerX]

I think that maybe you should try running it in Virtual PC first. That would at least give you an idea about what Linux is all about without having to use real hardware. Then if you see a great need for it, you can install it. The point is that you get to find out what everyone is talking about first. The only way you could really tell how great it runs on a Mac vs a regular PC is if you are familuar enough to see what is going on, and VPC is a great way getting up to speed for doing that.

[unlearnthetruth]

hmm... i didn't know i could do that.... how would i go about setting it up with vpc? or will the vpc setup thingie help me out there... i'll have to look into it more once the 600+ mg file finishes downloading.... i hate my university's network... being slow is one thing, but claiming you're fast then being slow.... damn them all! ;-)

[symphonix]

Reasons you might want to use Linux:
- Programming, especially in C and Perl languages.
- Learning about Operating Systems by studying the source code.
- Running servers, such as web, mail and news, especially on light systems.
- Learning about networking, administration and security.
- To boycott M$, either for their business practices or for their slipshod approach to security and quality.
- To get the most out of small systems, embedded systems, and networks.

[RacerX]

You know, the cool thing is that VPC is sold with a Red Hat Linux environment (though I bought the DOS version because I have all the operating systems I needed before getting it). The Red Hat version is less expensive than the Windows version (but you most likely guessed that ).

[ThE OutsiDer]

While your at it try-

BEos (for anything below b/w g3)
Linux PPC
Amiga (<-my fav)

And guess what you can get them all from carracho...
Classic gamer.

[kilowatt]

Why try linux:
1)everything symphonix said
2)Its not a cool as BSD but its DANG COOL compared with windows. It will also run on almost anything (like bsd).
Why Try linux on ppc:
1)Its SO FAST!!!
2)Its faster than osx
3)ppc linux on a beige g3 is fast as osx on a g4 733
4)It rocks
5)Linux is cool on ppc
6)Prove those redhat anti-risc people wrong

Why *not* to use vpc to do this
1)vpc emulates hardware. So whatever you do will be slow and clunky compared with the real thing. I don't care what you say, it will be slow and it will not show off linux's speed.
2)vpc does have a few hardware issues, and you'll never get to mess with that unless you do a real install.
3)you have to buy vpc :P

I personally prefer BSD due to its license and development style. Not to mention that OpenBSD has not had a security hole in 4 years Oh, and OSX is based on bsd.

I do however recommend trying Linux first, there is much more support for it. Subscribe to the ydl list too, its very helpful.
http://lists.yellowdoglinux.com

[RacerX]

kilowatt,

I think you've missed the point of the original post. He wants to learn about Linux. Telling someone to reconfigure their entire system to try Linux for the first time is doing them a disservice at best (and down right reckless at worst). Sorry but not every one is ready to be thrown into the deep end right off the bat. And the expense of reconfiguring ones system for what is to them a complete unknown is far more than the relatively small expense of VPC.

He should figure out if he really wants to deal with Linux first, then the advantages and disadvantages of hardware vs software can be brought into play. But if he goes with your suggested course of action and finds that Linux is not something that he is interested in, then he has expended a ton of effort for nothing. There is something to be said for test driving an OS first, and VPC lets you do just that.