At my new work place, I will be providing software support for Unix servers. So I’ve been undergoing training and studying as much Unix as I can. I have done Unix back in Poly before and I did run a version of Linux at home for some months. But while there are some topics that are just a refresher, there are a far more number of stuff that are new to me.
So far it has been pretty fun. I have an interest in Unix/Linux and always wanted to learn and be as well versed in it as I am with Windows. Now I get to do that and get paid for it. However there is a certain sense of pressure since this is all done in a working environment where you have to preform and show for what you have learnt. I guess in a way its good for me as it forces me to be focused. If it was really at my own time and pace, I’ll most likely never be good.
As a result, I’m starting to itch in wanting to install a new version of Linux at home. I’ve always wanted to set up a Home Server, so that Nigel and I won’t need copies of the songs we have ripped on each of our computers or have to turn on both computers to access shared files. And thus Linux is perfect for a task such as this.
The biggest problem when it comes to installing Linux, is actually finding which one to install. There are tons of many different Linux versions around (called Distros) and choosing one to use can be a tricky affair. The good news is that, it is easy to find something to suit one’s needs and that it is easy to find a legally free, full-featured Distro.
Good thing there is a place that keeps track of all this. And once there, the name at the top of my list caught my eye. I’ve been out of touch with Linux news, but even so it’s easy to be stuck by something with an unusual name, and the current top Linux Distro has a unusual name indeed: Ubuntu.
Just from looking at the website and reviews and I’m hooked. Everyone seems to speak highly of Ubuntu’s ease of use (for Linux) and stability and that’s two major plus points in my book. But the other reason, is like the version of the project and how a passionate and vibrant community has sprung up around it. In so many ways it reminds me of my favourite programs: Firefox and WordPress. These products have successfully craved out a niche for themselves in markets that are already crowded with alternatives. But with some combination of talent, insight and innovation they have set themselves apart from the rest.
In the case of Ubuntu, I have no doubt that they are following a similar path. Of course stubborn as I am, I won’t say more to sway my own view until I actually try it out for myself. Problem is I have nowhere to install it. Technically that’s not really true, as I can just use the “live CD” version of Ubuntu that allows it to boot from the CD-ROM, but that doesn’t really give the best user experience. I could just get a new hard disk (my main one needs replacing soon anyway) and set it up to dual boot. But I’m still very keen on a Home Server.
Linux doesn’t really need cutting edge hardware to run, especially as just a server. A well seasoned Pentium 3 would be just nice, given enough RAM to make it slightly agile and stable. So perhaps I’ll look into picking up some choice second hand parts to put it all together.
So anyone got any old hardware lying around that I can take off your hands for cheap?
