[SC.LUG] Summer Meetings

[Paul Sinclair]

Hello Roger,

I didn't start scientific programming till 1966 on English Electric 
KDF9. I've used Unix at work and at home. Having taken early retirement 
some years ago I am currently using a 200MHz K6 dual booting Windows NT4 
Workstation and Linux.It needs updating.

When buying new hardware beware of Win modems and printers, but you 
probably knew that

Your knowledge of Unix will stand you in good stead with Linux.I would 
advise a fairly minimal install and add packages as you need them. I 
usually run with a couple of xterms and a file manager plus whatever is 
needed. The curse of Unix is too much choice. You could even just use 
consoles and avoid X alltogether.

On my system all files are readable from either operating system. Files 
on a fat file system are readable and writeable from linux. My linux 
files are readable and writeable from NT4 using Ex2FS Anywhere from 
Paragon. Which is one advantage of using an established filesystem. One 
of your first decisions is going to be how to partition your disk(s) and 
which filessystems to use.

For several years I have lurked on the Linux Emporium list which is 
friendly and helpful. Go to http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/ and subsribe 
there. I know of no scientific specific lists but a question there might 
  turn one up.

For information, David is right about the internet. Google.com/linux for 
specifics and the distribution sites and the documentation project for 
more general information. You have a lot of reading to do. The O'Reilly 
books are good and Running Linux is probably the classic, but it depends 
what suits you.

My wife can use grep and various other Unixtools in windows using 
shareware tools.

I am phusically fairly close to you, in Utkinton just north of Tarporley.

Paul

Roger Gibson wrote:

> Thanks for your welcome to the group.
> 
> I would be most grateful for any advice you may have with the matters
> outlined below.  I have tried several Linux User Groups but my emails
> are usually returned address unknown, or I get dead links etc. 
> 
> I started scientific programming on Deuce in 1960, and went through a
> series of computers until I got a Whitechapel Unix Workstation in mid
> 1980s.  I then moved to a Sun, and have been with that ever since.    
> I therefore have some 20 years running Unix, including superuser system
> administration.
> 
> Being now semi-retired, I have been forced to Gates PC systems for
> exchanging word documents etc.  I do need to keep my Unix based software
> up and running, and am very aware that Microsoft's inefficient
> software is strangling the potential of a PC's performance.  My Suns are
> now dying, and I naively think that I can move all my Unix software
> (10,000 lines Fortran, plus scores of scripts piping data between
> programmes, output devices and files etc) to a PC running Linux.
> 
> I have been reading Linux Format, and am aware that systems have
> developed somewhat since my early Solaris Unix, but can generally
> understand what is going on.
> 
> I would be grateful for some general advice on the best routes to take.
> 
> My ideal system would be Linux based, but with an option to load
> Microsoft based software on top when required for compatibility, and
> also to use MS software  where this is unavoidable.  It may be that I
> need a dual boot system, perhaps using 2 hard discs.  What I certainly
> need is the ability for Linux/Fortran based programmes to motor at
> maximum speed in one window, while a minimal amount of CPU keeps up with
> my report typing in another.  I am reluctant to fully divorce myself
> from Microsoft at this stage.  I am about to purchase a new high level
> PC, and really do not have desk top space for 2 PCs immediately to hand.
> 
> 1.  What modes of combining Windows XP Pro and a Linux Distr. on a
>     single PC do you recommend
> 
> 2.  What Linux 'flavour/s' do you recommend for use for self developed
>     Fortran and C software, together with Office XP Pro compatibility.
>     I obviously use email, and a limited amount of browsing, but have no
>     games interest.  I would prefer fairly user friendly software,
>     and/or software recognisable or quickly assimilated by a former Sun
>     Unix superuser.  I would need a decent Fortran compiler, and a
>     Fortran callable line drawing capability.  Obviously I would like a
>     system to which I can easily port all my shell scripts etc.
> 
> 3.  What books do you recommend as manuals to consult when keeping up
>     with general system administration, and are there any good places
>     in the North West where I can go and browse Linux books before
>     choosing ones I fancy.
> 
> 4.  Are there any other warnings you feel I should heed before I jump
>     in?
> 
> 5.  Can you recommend a lively active Linux User Group that includes a
>     focus on scientific programming.
> 
> I would be most grateful for your advice so that I can make the most
> from changing back to a unix environment.  I am really looking forward
> to being able to type 'grep' again, and watch the instantaneous
> response. 
> 
>        Roger Gibson
>  
>        Bank Head         Tel    01829 720283
>        Bulkeley          Fax    01829 720185
>        MALPAS            Mobile 07764 186942
>        Cheshire          email  rcgibson@iee.org
>        SY14 8BQ