[Sussex] Newbie to the list

[Matt Taylor]

Hi Steve

> > We now use Gentoo for almost everything at work, from the lowly print
> > server up to web and database/transaction servers for the ecommerce sites
> > we build and host.
>
> Whatever rocks your boat.  I would never have though of Gentoo in a
> production environment, but if it works for you then go for it.

I've had several people say that to me. I'm not sure why it matters. When I 
install Gentoo on one of our Dell boxes I install the bare minimum software 
that that box needs to run, i.e enough to get it to boot and to start an ssh 
server! We usually use vanilla kernels and only patch when really necessary 
(like the ext3 fixes before 2.4.21 came out) Then we install whatever else is 
needed on top i.e. apache+resin/postgres/qmail.... We've never had any OS 
stability problems with any of our servers. In fact atm it's the hardware 
letting us down (dodgy scsi drives in Dell machines).

I'm sure that exactly the same effect can be achieved using Debian. I moved 
away from distros like Redhat and Mandrake 'cause I couldn't stand rpm hell. 
I didn't spend very long with Debian so I can't make any substaintial claims 
about what it can or can't do. I've been happy with Gentoo so far as it 
allows me to do these simple installations without any cruft. If Gentoo 
disappeared one day I would probably switch to Debian or maybe FreeBSD or 
even build from scratch! :)

I think that quite often the distribution argument misses the point. For me 
the interesting part of Gentoo is the packaging system, anything else is just 
linux and software. Note the efforts to port portage to OSX and cooperate 
with the fink system. More often than not I end up compiling from source to 
get the specific config I want, if I have tools to support that effort even 
better. 

>
> Where you one of the previous group?  I don't know - I was very, very
> luckly. The first time I checked out the website I posted to the list
> maintainer and got nothing.  About two months later I checked again and
> Gareth had posted that the group was re-forming and was meeting for the
> first time that day - so I went.  Haven't missed a LUGMoot since (not
> including the Xmas party :-()
>
> Anyway welcome to the list and see you later.
>
> What time are you thinking of turning up?  I can get there early (most
> moots).
>
> Steve
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Sussex at mailman.lug.org.uk
> http://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sussex
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