Stampede v0.90 Code Freeze 72
john wrote to us with the news that Stampede has announced a code freeze, effective as of Feb. 21, 2000. With the freeze in place, they will be attending to only bug reports and looking to do a stable release soon.
hardest problem for newbies (Score:1)
distribution after distribution.... (Score:1)
Re:distribution after distribution.... (Score:1)
Stampede (Score:3)
Seems nice... (Score:2)
I've just discovered Stampede's homepage, I had never heard about them before. From what I read, it seems to be a very nice & clean project.
There's just one thing that bugs me : they say, in their slogan, that they are "The First PGCC/Glibc Distribution Optimized for Speed!".
Isn't that precisely what Mandrake does (and does quite well IMHO) for monthes, if not years ?
No flame intended, I just want to open a thread about a Stampede/Mandrake comparison, discussing their respective merits. Oh well...
Stéphane
Re:Power Users (Score:2)
Curious... (Score:2)
- There is no distribution optimized for newer machines. Lets face it, our new Pentium/K6/Whatever should not be running code optimized for a 386/486
- There is not really a distribution available that has updated packages and security as it's number one goals. This needed to happen.
- We feel that even the easiest distribution out there is not easy enough to install for the new user. If the Linux revolution is to take place, we need something easier to install and use than DOS/Win95.
Hmmm...   looking at these points, although they are commercial entities, Mandrake, Caldera, and CorelLinux seemed to have focussed on points #1 & #3, ie., optimizing for the newest boxen and making a "for-dummies" install program for win/dos users.   I have both Mandrake and Caldera and their main "selling point" (as it were) is to go after the win desktop market, so I don't see much new here except that Stampede is apparently not a traditional "corporate" entity like Macmillan, Caldera, or Corel.Item #2 seems confusing unless they are referring to the fact that if you choose to install the server features, you basically have an "open wide" system that needs to be locked down.
Over the past couple of months, I've seen some really bizarre comments about security and Linux and alot of it has to do with mixing up "server" with "workstation".   I know that Linux does both, but you can choose either via most of the install programs, and then take responsibility for securing the system in the manner required.
New distributions are good (Score:3)
Not that some companies are not going to make lots of money and get a good return on their R&D dollars. Even end up being the number one linux supplier with all the cash that could mean.
The difference between M$ windoze and Linux is that anyone can make a new distribution or even their own installation.
Yep boys and girls if you do not like what you see on the shelf of your local brick and morter computer store, then roll your own.
I also believe that these same effects are going to spread and continue this pattern. A few years ago it took millions of dollars to get into broadcast media and your could only reach those with in miles of your site. Now for ten bucks a month (or a few popup adds) you can reach millions of people all over the world.
What a wonderful world we are building.
Noel
RootPrompt.org -- Nothing but Unix [rootprompt.org]
Re:Seems nice... (Score:2)
Re:New distributions are good (Score:2)
Re:New distributions are good (Score:1)
But does it mean that much cash?
I read somewhere that the total market for Linux goods and services last year was $32 million.
The stock market values Red Hat at something like $5 billion. What is the basis for that kind of valuation?
I think that Linux itself will not be a big seller. I think that computer manufacturers will make their own distros of Linux that run well on their machines and install them. So you will someday have a Dell Linux, a Compaq Linux, etc.
If Bill Gates lets them!
Re:hardest problem for newbies (Score:2)
Re:Power Users (Score:1)
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The most important question... (Score:3)
Re:New distributions are good (Score:1)
Re:The most important question... (Score:1)
Yep. You need VMWare though.
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Re:Stampede (Score:2)
Internet Connection Sharing was introduced with Windows 98. So, if you are using 95 you can't do it.
Plus you don't get a firewall. Do any file and print sharing and without a little bit of thought you are broadcasting your shares across the 'net.
Fax sharing needs extra software (IIRC) from Windows.
I ain't no blind zealot - I'm just pointing out one thing that Linux has in it's favour - the ability to build a seriously useful home network.
Re:Stampede (Score:1)
A friend of mine has just opened his own printing business. He is just starting out so he cannot afford to throw money away. He is relatively computer literate (for his field) proofing and working with Corel Draw and Pagemaker. He has two PC's, a PIII 450 and a P166.
He uses his machines to proof and design.
He came to me wanting to create a little network to make proofing easier. Now we went ahead and bought the NICS, Hub and cables to set up his network.
We were just about to buy a printer server when he let on he had a 386 in the attic.
With that - I dusted it down, installed a second LPT card in it and installed a bare Linux install. I then set up samba so that the two printers on the linux box were available on Network Neighbourhood.
Result: He can now proof his files to two printers. Both machines share his ISDN connection. He saved the £200 for a two-port printer server to but some software. Linux provides a file-server, firewall, faxing, print server for a fraction of the cost that a Windows only solution would have cost - and he is still using Windows on the clients so he can use Corel etc.
The linux firewall, print server etc are full fledged products. To save costs on the WIndows side would have required shareware products.
I taught him some rudimentary administration and he calls me when he has a problem. I also get cheap prints too !!!! (barter - the way to go!).
Moral: OS's can co-exist.
Don't let Open Source = Closed Mind or Closed Source = Closed Mind either.
The right tools for the right job.
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
The stampede project should really give two things important weight in the system
John
Re:distribution after distribution.... (Score:2)
Corel -> RedHat -> Debian
Time to evolve, I guess.
Re:Curious... (Score:2)
When I was attempting to choose a "free as in beer" *BSD to install at home, I looked at the 3 most popular - FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD.   I read through their sites thoroughly and was impressed with OpenBSD's security focus (I have a 5-machine LAN at home with a Linux firewall).   I decided to opt with NetBSD as they appeared to be like the "Debian of the BSD world", without the hype, and with a promise of "no code released before its time".
I did not mean to simplify any security issues (believe me, with a cable modem and a box on the net 24/7, security is a supreme concern).   I only meant to say that there's alot of discussion out there that makes it seem as though the owner of the box can simply pick what is billed as a "secure" distribution and thus have no responsibility for learning about security nor the responsibility to diligently try to maintain a secure envirnoment.   No machine or software can do that for you.
Re:distribution after distribution.... (Score:1)
Re:Curious... (Score:2)
Thimo
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The nicest thing (Score:1)
Note: Stampede Linux is not affiliated with Stampede Technologies in any way. If you came here looking for RAS software, please visit http://www.stampede.com.
While this may seem like a small touch, with all the cyber-squating going on recently its nice to see someone point out that they are different from another company. Its free advertising for the other Stampede, I looked at their page just to see what it was!-Elendale (looking forward to stampede and what it will bring)
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
The OpenBSD website says SMP is a no go. I already got a nightmare due with recompiling etc my Linux install to go SMP. I chose a stock kernel and so I got to install the source/headers etc.
So while I would like to go to OpenBSD I can't (AFAIK). What is FreeBSD like in that respect? Educate me!!!
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Very true.   Caldera however, has been out for a little while, although their focus on the graphical, "idiot proof" install is a recent animal with their LIZARD (as opposed to their older LISA) installer.   In fact, seems that in 1999, a number of the Linux distros (eg., Red Hat and the others mentioned previously), decided to go full steam ahead into the "desktop" market.   It's just that due to the IPOs and media attention, those distros got the jump on Stampede.   Even SuSE (which I have on one of my machines) re-did their YaST installer to grab some desktop share.
Re:Stampede (Score:1)
Let me add a "hell, yeah!" to this. I'm still required to keep Windows running at home for various reasons, but use a Linux machine for fun. However, even if I never used the Linux machine directly, it'd still be damn useful. I now had DSL, but there is no way in hell I'd hook up my Win95 box to a direct connection. Now I've got a nice little firewall that took very little time to set up and cost nothing.
Also, Samba works damn well as a file-server. One of my problems on my Win95 box was the %$&$%@ 2 Gig partition limit. I could upgrade to Win98, but having upgrade Windows many times, I know the sort of pain that can cause one to endure. Easier was to install a new hard drive on the Linux machine, and create a nice big shareable partition on it.
Anyway, Samba works really, really well and if anyone were to ask me to recommend a good file/print server for Windows, I'd recommend a Linux box long before a Windows machine.
Re:hardest problem for newbies (Score:1)
Re:Stampede (Score:1)
3 Machines connect to my linux box (300MMX). My P111 450, my wife's P133 and her brother (who lodges with us) has a P11 333.
We all use the internet, we can all print, fax, email, share my nice 13gb scsi samba share and basically play some seriously cool multi player games.
As you said, Linux enables you to have access to all this without an unnecessary OS upgrade. Why go to Windows 98 if 95 is doing fine?
Now all I'm waiting for is DSL/Cable in Wales and I'm in heaven!
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Before anyone out there hurls a "RFM" at you, try going to FreeBSD [freebsd.org]'s site.   It's a real cool website with some really informative FAQs.   I was almost ready to install it myself but decided to opt for something different.   But since it is the most used of the "open source" BSDs out there, you'll have plenty of support for it.   Yahoo, Microsoft's Hotmail (hee hee), Apache, etc., use it.
And by the way, I have a Red Hat 6.1 server at work running SMP just fine thank you.
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
I've been to all the *BSD's website and its only FreeBSD that mentions SMP - hence why I mentioned them. Its just I wondered whether Linux or FreeBSD would get the most oomph out of 2xPII 400's!
I'm not a complete klutz honest
After what you said about a dual RH61 server I think I'll stick to Linux for that box (im running a patched RH6) - but I have a P133 so I think I'll go mosey to CheapBytes and get some *BSD's!
More then anything, I've just got used to ipchains et al. Too lazy to start afresh!!
SLP? (Score:1)
Re:distribution after distribution.... (Score:1)
Neat. Crunch fdisk. Make graphical install. Very cool.
The only problem is that the beast is frozen in a 'post installation' thing and hang if he reboots the machine.
ROTFL.
Cheers,
--fred
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
I believe you.   Honest.  
After what you said about a dual RH61 server I think I'll stick to Linux for that box (im running a patched RH6) - but I have a P133 so I think I'll go mosey to CheapBytes and get some *BSD's!
My RH 6.1 box has dual P-200s.   Works slick.   TurboLinux also works with SMP and if you do their server install, one of their install questions asks whether you want to install SMP.
Upgrade now to Schrodingers Dog...
Are you a Schrodinger's equation fan?  
Re:The nicest thing (Score:1)
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
I actually left Uni in my second year because I ran out of money. I was doing an Astrophysics degree hence my predisposition to Astronomy!
After trying to digest Schrodingers 3-dimensional time-independent Wave Equation, linux firewalling is easy-peasy!
Re:i thought stampede sucked (Score:1)
The last installer that I myself tried (I install by hand now, so much easier) borked on lilo configuration and a number of other things. There were also problems with permissions/ownership of a few devices/directories (namely
I have plans to write a simple to use GUI installer, possibly using the gnome libs (this may require that we boot off the cd).
Hopefully I will have it done for our next release (not 0.90)
Jeff Stedfast
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
After trying to digest Schrodingers 3-dimensional time-independent Wave Equation, linux firewalling is easy-peasy!
AHHHahahahahaha...   hee hee hee.   snicker.   Oh...   that is so damn true.   As a chemistry major in college, I think I had one semester where I was taking multivariable calculus, physical chemistry, and elementary particle physics - all at the same time (what a fool I was), and at some point during the semester, ALL 3 covered the topic of the Schrodinger equation.   My head was spinning because each discipline puts their own spin (no pun intended) on the subject!   I always liked to quote it on the Star Trek lists when discussing warp theory and such.   It would inevitably trigger a whole side thread on sub-atomic theory vs. gravitational theory, etc.
Re:SLP? (Score:1)
The SLP format is basically a bzip2'd tarball. That tarball has some metadata appended to the end of it for use of the SLP tools (slpi, slpl, etc. etc.). However, that same SLP can be extracted using tar and bzip2. When is the last time you installed a distro without using an installer using only a boot disk which had lilo, tar, bzip2, and a few other utilities.
I can't recall another packageing format (besides Slackware tgz) for which you can do a 'tar Ixvf packagename.slp' to install it if you don't have the special utilities needed for the package format.
For those of you who want to know how to install Stampede GNU/Linux without using the installer check out the manual installation directions [stampede.org] as they contain the needed information on how to do so.
Re:The nicest thing (Score:1)
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Re:Power Users (Score:1)
Yup, this is a really big problem IMHO. Distros that use pgcc as their default compiler are just support nightmares. I've seen many posts on the mailing lists I frequent from people having problems with Mandrake/pgcc, and then recompiling with gcc after someone suggests it, and everything working fine. When is everyone going to realize that gcc took all the sane optimizations from pgcc and rolled them into it's source??? I think pgcc is used because people don't understand this simple fact and don't know enough about the compiler options gcc offers.
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
ACK!   Which reminds me of Fourier Transform, which reminds me of FTIR, which reminds me of advanced inorganic chem-misery...
;-)
Re:Seems nice... (Score:1)
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Try
Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics
Quantum Mechanics
Extragalactic Astrophysics
Maths Methods III
In one semester
Is it any wonder science undergraduates drink so much
Re:The nicest thing (Score:2)
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Re:New distributions are good (Score:1)
Re:SLP? (Score:1)
>without using an installer using only a boot
>disk which had lilo, tar, bzip2, and a few
>other utilities.
Actually.. I'm kinda doing it right now with an old 386 laptop and it's a pain in the butt.
gcc vs pgcc (Score:1)
Dear sir,
I hope I am not starting a flame war.
The matter with Stampede Linux is they are attempting to squeeze out every ounce of speed out of the linux code, short of re-writing the entire OS in the assembly language.
They have chosen to use pgcc because of those weird optimization. As weird as those optimizations are, they do work in term of Stampede Linux.
I understand that the use of pgcc contributes to many problems, but that is a tradeoff.
My only hope that one day gcc give as much optimization as pgcc, with less weirdness involved.
Re:Curious... (Score:1)
Re:Stampede (Score:1)
1) Lousy - Nope, just been de-flea'ed
2) LInux-using - only as a server - Still using WIn98 as a client as I haven't found an app that reads WordPro Millenium files
3) Welsh Nationalist - well done, you spotted Plaid Cymru. Yes I hapen to believe in the rights of small nations to govern their own affairs!
4) Scum - Nah, scum is useful. See the story about generating hydrogen fuel with algae.
Final score 1/4
Must try harder
Re:test (Score:1)
Re:test (Score:1)
Re:test (Score:1)
Re:test (Score:1)
Re:test (Score:1)
Re:Seems nice... (Score:1)