[plug] Debian 2.1 slink - Bill goes open source

[Michael Hunt]

> On Tue, 11 May 1999, Michael Hunt wrote:
>
> > You might then find this article interesting at:
> >
> > http://www.tunelinux.com/bin/page?kernel/compiling/index.html
> >
> > One section is called "Dispelling the Kernel Compiling Myth"
> that has some
> > interesting points about the effect a recompile will have on
> your system.
>
> I have a hard time trusting any website that talks about performance, yet
> serves all webpages from a cgi script, as a result rendereing proxy cache
> performance useless.
>
> But that's probably just me. :)

It is quite intersting that this site is a spinoff from slashdot (don't
quite know the relationship here) but they are certainly a well trafficed
site who would be keen to see performance increases. Still I would agree
with you here as the page info is quite static.

> I've always seen noticable speed improvements whenever I've compiled my
> own kernel, but that may have as much to do with the fact the kernel on CD
> is always several revisions older than what's available on ftp, as it has
> to do with processor specific optimisation etc.
>
> > Besides not everyone wants to tinker "under the
> > hood". Some people want to drive their boxes.
>
> That's true, but compiling kernels, especially when you get kernel build
> packages, such as the ones Debian ships with, really isn't that difficult.
>
>  - Matt
>

It really is "horses for courses". But imagine for a minute that the
impossible does happen and Billy boy decides to go open source with his 35
million line code behomath w2k. Do you think that 90% pof users would care ?
Once explained to them the advantage of having programmers from all ovwer
the world working on the code to enhance it (and not just those with the M$
mindset) I'm sure they would be happy but most will just get on with their
applications. It is the 10% that would be greatly shocked (and the marketing
bods who see their job status decline) and would benefit mostly from the
code.  I think that the linux community is has been mostly made up of this
10% types. With more media focus and attention, beter design and ease of
use, alot of the 90% are swinging towards linux now. Still getting under the
hood I don't think would appeal to them.

But we are probably doing the subject to death here.  I would like to see a
Debian install of a box happen. I have got a copy but just found that I
couldn't quite get the whole thing right. Maybe at one of the next pug
mettings we could see this happen ???

Michael Hunt