[H-GEN] Debian v Mandrake

Robert Kearey mammal at optushome.com.au
Wed Mar 20 19:16:40 EST 2002


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Jimmy Freese wrote:

> Looking for some guidance. I've been using Mandrake/Redhat for the past 3
> years. I am not a very good linux user but am able to get things that want
> done and have been very happy with it. 

It? Mandrake or Red Hat? :)

> I've been thinking of moving to debian. I really don't like
> administration, probably because I suck at it. I have heard that once
> installed debian takes better care of itself? 

All much of a muchness really. There's no real magic bullet that'll give 
you the magic self-administering box, no matter what any particular 
distro fans claim.

> Another thing I don't really like is updating things. In the past I have
> usually always till Mandrake comes out with another release and do it all
> at once and between releases just stick with what I got. How does debian
> compare in this area? 

Yi!

Definitely the wrong way to approach admin (and no matter how 
distasteful you find it, you can't avoid admin altogether). 
Distributions generally release updates and patches for a good reason. 
If your box has any internet connectivity at all, you're almost 
ethically bound to keep it patched and up to date, no matter what OS 
you're using.

I do know of some people that cron up apt-get updates, but I think most 
people would admit that that might be Bad. Best to take responsibility 
and make sure it's done right.

[obligatory Red Hat Network advertisment here]

> Jimmy

-- 
Rob K - Ich mag Chips mit brauner Soße
http://members.optushome.com.au/mammal
Please abbreviate 'bandwidth' as 'bndwth'
thereby conserving precious bndwth.


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