What Was Your First Linux Distro?

273 · 10-25-2013, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targa

If someone starts taking about Distros, and what works where, I keep on saying: Linux is Linux is Linux, as long as it's not SuSE

As long as it's not Ubuntu -- which isn't Linux

.

onebuck · 10-25-2013, 07:52 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncmoody

I like SuSE particularly the installer as it gives you so much choice.

And it does not get patronising about 'root'

Your right to choose but I for one treat root as super user no matter the choice of Gnu/Linux. Not lightly since you can bork a system fast if not careful. To me that's not patronizing but smart admin procedures.

JZL240I-U · 10-25-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck

...I for one treat root as super user ... Not lightly since you can bork a system fast if not careful. To me that's not patronizing but smart admin procedures.

I'd guess the OP meant, that in openSuSE you can create root without hassle by the system (as compared to *buntu and derivates). That does not mean you use that account other than for system administration, ever.

I consistently fail to see the difference to other distries, root is root is root, with all the power it comes with. One has to keep that in mind but not as a meaningless mantra -- no offense intended.

onebuck · 10-25-2013, 09:30 AM

Hi,

None taken.

'root' is the account that everyone should treat with respect, no matter which Gnu/Linux.

ncmoody · 10-25-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

I'd guess the OP meant, that in openSuSE you can create root without hassle by the system (as compared to *buntu and derivates). That does not mean you use that account other than for system administration, ever.

I consistently fail to see the difference to other distries, root is root is root, with all the power it comes with. One has to keep that in mind but not as a meaningless mantra -- no offense intended.

Exactly.

I have been an SA for a good 20 years and know what I am doing.

Sudo has it's place but to be a good SA you NEED to be able to use root and know what you are doing with it.

Any 'newbie' needs to be advised of the dangers but not shielded from root, these are home systems and blowing one up with the misuse of root is not a catastrophe, in fact is a good learning tool as they will probably learn more trying to recover the situation then in most other circumstances.

replica9000 · 10-25-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncmoody

I like SuSE particularly the installer as it gives you so much choice.

And it does not get patronising about 'root'

I like installing Debian via debootstrap. It doesn't offer you choices, you make your own.

ncmoody · 10-25-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replica9000

I like installing Debian via debootstrap. It doesn't offer you choices, you make your own.

Why not compile from source, including the kernel - that would give you the ultimate choice.

replica9000 · 10-25-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncmoody

Why not compile from source, including the kernel - that would give you the ultimate choice.

Basically LFS. Even on a fast machine, that would be time consuming.

ncmoody · 10-25-2013, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replica9000

Basically LFS. Even on a fast machine, that would be time consuming.

When I did it it used to take a couple of days for the kernel and some basic tools.
That was on a 486/25 with I think 4 Mb memory and 80Mb Hdd (remember rll disks?)

Glad we don't have to do that nowadays.

273 · 10-26-2013, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JZL240I-U

I'd guess the OP meant, that in openSuSE you can create root without hassle by the system (as compared to *buntu and derivates). That does not mean you use that account other than for system administration, ever.

I consistently fail to see the difference to other distries, root is root is root, with all the power it comes with. One has to keep that in mind but not as a meaningless mantra -- no offense intended.

As I mentioned, Ubuntu is not Linux

.
Debian, Slackware, Fedora, Gentoo, LFS, Arch and many others allow you to create and use a root account. It's only really Ubuntu which doesn't. I prefer to "su -" rather than "sudo" but other than that I find no real practical difference between Ubuntu's approach and that of other distros though I do recall Open Solaris and BSDs being a bit of a mystery until I worked out what to do instead of sudoing.

TobiSGD · 10-26-2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 273

Debian, Slackware, Fedora, Gentoo, LFS, Arch and many others allow you to create and use a root account. It's only really Ubuntu which doesn't.

Code:

sudo passwd root

I can't see how Ubuntu prevents you from that. Also, that Ubuntu does not have a root account is a misconception, Ubuntu, like any other Unix/Linux does indeed have a root account (otherwise sudo wouldn't work), it has just an impossible password set. Change the password and you are good to go.

273 · 10-26-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

Code:

sudo passwd root

I can't see how Ubuntu prevents you from that. Also, that Ubuntu does not have a root account is a misconception, Ubuntu, like any other Unix/Linux does indeed have a root account (otherwise sudo wouldn't work), it has just an impossible password set. Change the password and you are good to go.

I was referring to the default install and the inference that SuSe is in some way different in allowing a root account by default so while what you say is true it's largely irrelevant to the point I was making.

ncmoody · 10-26-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobiSGD

Code:

sudo passwd root

I can't see how Ubuntu prevents you from that. Also, that Ubuntu does not have a root account is a misconception, Ubuntu, like any other Unix/Linux does indeed have a root account (otherwise sudo wouldn't work), it has just an impossible password set. Change the password and you are good to go.

This has recently changed, you used to have to jump through all sorts of hoops to get the ability to log on as root particularly if you wanted a GUI.

replica9000 · 10-26-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncmoody

When I did it it used to take a couple of days for the kernel and some basic tools.
That was on a 486/25 with I think 4 Mb memory and 80Mb Hdd (remember rll disks?)

Glad we don't have to do that nowadays.

Can't say I remember rll disks. My first machine was a 286/12 with 1MB of RAM, 10MB HDD with 3-1/2 and 5-1/4 floppy drives.

TobiSGD · 10-26-2013, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncmoody

This has recently changed, you used to have to jump through all sorts of hoops to get the ability to log on as root particularly if you wanted a GUI.

You can't login as root on a GUI on most modern distros and that is for a good reason (just try it on Fedora and see your system become unusable).