Matt's Linux Page

I have several machines running Linux. I've built two machines from various parts I've bought over the years. I actually haven't bought a full fledged desktop machine since my old Macintosh.

My distribution of choice is Red Hat 7.1 currently. I've tried Debian and the install procedure is truly bad . I've also tried Mandrake and Suse. Both of them have some serious problems and just aren't easy enough to use. Red Hat wins in the end. I also prefer the way Red Hat lays out the system. I do have several problems with Red Hat. These are:

Default security is horrible. Most services are turned on and anywhere can access the box. It would be better to turn off all services, limit access to localhost and documenting how to change these settings. Perhaps some linuxconf pages to add/remove security for those people less inclined to read the man pages.
The patch system is horrible. While it is better than other Unix vendors who just number the patches you have no idea what it does. But, Red Hat makes you download the entire package again. RPM doesn't seem to be able to patch itself (or any other package mechanism). When X has a security problem, it's another marathon download adventure (esp when it's just a suid problem!).
A laptop setting is needed. This would allow better installation and laptop specific tools. Also, a way to turn off network query at boot would be nice for those I'm not hooked up to a network. The linuxconf profiles "feature" just isn't documented enough for me.
Not easy to make a custom self booting install system.

I've stopped experimenting with Open/FreeBSD. I don't like them all that much. They just don't give me the warm fuzzy that linux does. I've also had problems installing them on crappy hardware. Linux always installs fine.

I have five total systems. They connect via 10/100BaseT to a Netgear 24 port 10/100BaseT switch. The names are from Isaac Asimov's foundation universe. They are:

foundation (home grown)
- Athlon 1.4Ghz on a ABIT KG7-RAID
- 512MB of DDR RAM
- nVidia GeForce2 MX200 32MB
- ViewSonic P815 21 inch Monitor running at 1600x1400x32
- IDE CDROM, floppy
- 40GB Maxtor IDE HD
- NCR 810 SCSI Card
- Zip Drive
- UMAX Astra 1220S Scanner
- Sony CD-R
- 4GB SCSI Seagate Disk
- Linksys Tulip 100BaseT ethernet
- Sound Blaster Live
- Hooked to my JVC 100 Watt Receiver
- Logitech Optical Mouse
hardin (home grown)
- Athlon 700
- 384MB of RAM
- Elsa TNT2 w/ 16MB ram
- Princeton 15" LCD
- IDE CDROM, floppy
- Two 4.5GB Ultra Wide SCSI Seagate Drives (int)
- One 17GB IBM Ultra Wide SCSI (int)
- 40GB Maxtor IDE HD
- NCR 875 PCI Ultra Wide SCSI Card
- Linksys Tulip 100BaseT ethernet
- Sound Blaster Live
- Logitech Optical Mouse
mallow (home grown) W2K
- Athlon 1.2Ghz on a FIC-AZ11
- 512MB RAM
- Diamond Viper 550 16MB
- CTX 17 inch Monitor
- IDE CDROM, floppy
- 17GB Maxtor IDE Disk
- 40GB Maxtor IDE HD
- Linksys Tulip 100BaseT ethernet
- Sound Blaster Live
- Logitech Optical Mouse
firewall (home grown) (this is the firewall running opebsd)
- Athlon 1.2Ghz on a FIC-AZ11
- 256MB RAM
- 2MB Video
- floppy
- 2GB Western Digital IDE disk
- Linksys Tulip 100BaseT ethernet x2
hari - A ThinkPad 390 (dual boots W98/Linux)
- Check out my installation experience
- Mobile Pentium II 266 Mhz w/ 64MB Ram
- 20GB IDE Disk
- Floppy/CDROM built in
- Lithium/Ion Battery x 2
- 14.1 inch screen
- Neomagic 256AV (NGM5)
- Netgear 10/100 PC Ethernet Card
- Zoom 56k v.90 PC Modem

I'm taking my old PII-300 and turning it into an arcade. Stay tuned for pics. I'm also building a PVR. I've stolen hardin from my office, replaced the video card with an ATI Radeon 8500 DV. It may be overkill, but it does come with a really cool RF remote control. I've just read about a Shuttle P4 w/ two PCI slots and some nice audio and video. This looks good for a new platform for my PVR / DVD etc player.

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Matthew Brannigan