[NTLUG:Discuss] Mandrake questions

[Kevin Brannen]

"./aal" wrote:
> 
> Kevin Brannen wrote:
> >
> > If you look at SuSE 6.x, you'll find that it is RPM based; or at least there
> > are RPMs all over my CDs. :-)  That doesn't touch the Pentium based build
> > issue, or probably other Mandrake issues, obviously.
> >
> 
> SuSE uses rpms  ...but only suse rpms

Maybe you can explain that to me.  I thought an RPM was an RPM.  Now, as for
installation of binary packages, SuSE's may install to different places than
say RH's or Mandrake's or anyone else's, but that's a configuration thing. 
I've installed RPMs from other sources than SuSE and have had no problems
(e.g. Metorlink's Motif packages).

> A friend if mine is running SuSE and has almost given up on linux as
> a result of SuSE's "uniqueness". SuSE has a very different approach
> to most every function and service. Which makes almost every HOWTO
> and any other general audience help doc confusing in the extreme.
> And with the learning curve of linux, anything that steepens the
> path should be avoided.
> 
> SuSE IS a great distro
> just NOT for newbies
> 

They admin tool YAST is different, but quite useable (but I'm avoiding your
point as I didn't start using SuSE until I'd been using Linux for several
years).  And yes, they do store _some_ files in different places than RH.  But
I've never had any problems making stuff work when using the HOWTO's (e.g.
network & nfs); maybe I've just been lucky. :-)

I do look forward to the group (don't remember their name) who's working on a
standard setup for system files.  All the major distros are involved as I
recall.  It's one more thing "Linux" needs to wage war for the desktop. :-)

Maybe your friend needs to join NTLUG? :-)

Kevin