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Software Options and Configuration
Which GNU/Linux distribution should I choose?
It depends on your experience and on what your intentions are
for your new system. All distributions can be made to behave
essentially the same, for they all use the same kernel
(Linux) and much of the same software (e.g. GNU programs,
X.org, etc.). Differences between distributions appear in
such places as installation method, general system
configuration (configuration programs and location of
configuration files), software installation and
software package management, and whether or not they include
proprietary or non-free programs.
For customers new to the GNU/Linux operating system, we
recommend a Debian-based system running 100% free software,
such as gNewSense or one of the few other
completely free GNU/Linux distributions.
Preinstalled gNewSense systems from LAC offer a system restore
procedure that puts ones system back in the
fully-functional state it was in when delivered, with little
or no user intervention. A Debian-based system can be difficult to
initially install and configure, but we take care of that,
and we fully support all of our systems. gNewSense
offers easy software installation using the APT package
management system and has significantly many more packages
available than most non-Debian based distributions. In a
gNewSense system, you can be assured that unless you modify the
APT sources.list sources file, the software in your
system will remain 100% free after routine security and bug
fix software updates.
We urge you to contact
LAC to discuss this question if you are undecided.
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Will you install more than one GNU/Linux distribution in my computer?
Yes. There is no installation fee for the first distribution
in any system. For each additional distribution, we charge a
$50.00 installation fee (i.e. installing 2 distributions is
$50, installing 3 distributions is $100, etc.).
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Will X windows work when I get my new computer?
Yes. Unless instructed otherwise, every machine runs in
graphical mode by default. Logins on the GNU/Linux side of your
computer are managed by either GDM by default. You can
choose from a variety of popular window managers at the login
screen. For desktop systems and servers, we will configure X
to use your new mouse or your mouse if you don't buy one with
your new computer, and for the monitor you intend to use. For
laptop systems, we will configure X to use the built-in pointing
device(s) (touchpad and/or TrackPoint) and an optional USB mouse,
and for the native resolution of your laptop's LCD panel. If
you prefer a plain text login, just let us know after you place
your order.
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How will you configure the video adapters in my multi-head GNU/Linux system?
That's entirely up to you. We typically configure for a
graphical boot using the primary head of the PCI Express video card,
putting additional, documented xorg.conf files
in place (in /etc/X11) that one can use for
various multi-headed video modes. Options vary from a single
large desktop spanning all heads to a different desktop on
each head with the ability to run a different window manager
on each head. Read our HOWTO for an introduction
to multi-head X.org, with examples for implementing this in
your system.
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What partition scheme will you use for the hard drive(s) in my new computer?
We will partition your hard drives however you want. Upon
receiving your order, we will review the hardware and
operating choices in your system and make a recommendation
for your approval or modification. If you let us know how
you intend to use your new LAC system in your response to our
initial configuration approval request (sent by e-mail), we
will work with you to determine an optimal partition scheme.
For flexibility, data protection, and often enhanced
performance, we install and fully support software and
hardware RAID and LVM upon request.
For a single disk, multi-user, standalone system, we typically
recommend a multi-partition scheme like:
/ 2 gigs
/usr 10 gigs
/var 2 gigs
swap 1 gig
/home the rest
For a single disk, single user, standalone system, we typically
recommend a simple partition scheme like:
/ 10 gigs
swap 1 gig
/home the rest
Having a separate /home partition is a good idea for
a few reasons, primarily so one can format the system partitions
at a later time (e.g. for replacing or reinstalling the operating
system) while leaving personal, non-OS data intact
(data in /home).
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What file system will you use in my new computer?
We use Ext3 by default, and we recommend using Ext3 in most
of our systems. At your request, we will build your machine
using a different journaled file system such as ReiserFS,
XFS, or JFS with any GNU/Linux distribution. If you prefer a
file system other than Ext3, let us know. The best time to
make this request is when responding to the configuration
approval request e-mail that we send after receiving your
order.
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I want to use my new computer as a Web server. Will you install Apache? If so, how much extra will this cost?
Yes, and we currently do not charge for this service (Apache
is a standard package in every common GNU/Linux
distribution). The more specific you are about what you need
your machine to do when you get it, the closer it will be to
a state allowing you to simply plug it in, turn it on, and
get to work immediately upon receipt. Again, if you want a
piece of software installed and configured, just send e-mail
to us and ask.
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I want to use my new computer as a file server. Will you install and configure Samba so it will run in my network ``out of the box''? If so, how much extra will this cost?
Yes, and we currently do not charge for this service (Samba
is a standard package in every common GNU/Linux
distribution). To ease integration of your new LAC file
server into your network, we will ask specific questions
early in the system build process, the answers to which we
will need in order to configure Samba for your environment.
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