GHCA recently updated all their computers to run the Gentoo distribution of the Linux operating system. This video interviews system administrator Michael Surran, exploring the details as to why the school switched to Gentoo and how Gentoo is used to improve productivity and functionality.
Of particular interest is the use of distributed compiled computing (distcc) among the 20 Athlon computers to greatly speed the software building process.
Duration : 0:2:41
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Btw what do you use …
Btw what do you use when your not teaching?
GENTOO too or some other flavor?
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Wow, I guess second …
Wow, I guess second hand is better than nothing I guess you know?
I would hate to see that though… You guys are teaching kids the IN AND OUT of Linux and then all of a sudden switch BACK TO WINDOWS. I just dont think I could see that I mean you have been teaching LINUX for so long now, It would just seem painful that you would have to switch back over and forget all your LINUX knowlege and have to learn windows 7 to teach to your class I mean if OPEN SOURCE works why not stay with it?
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
It should be noted …
It should be noted that the web browser is the new operating system in many ways (I’m obviously taking some liberty in the technical definition of an OS). Our staff and students spend most of their time in Firefox. Guess where I am right now? Firefox works just as well in Linux as Windows, and much more securely. This is the real threat that Microsoft is facing. This is why Windows no longer matters…
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Actually, no, as …
Actually, no, as much as I’d like to get new hardware, the economy is forcing us to our original model of accepting donated, second-hand computers. Regardless, Windows still brings more pain and cost than benefit IMHO. Maybe Windows 7 will change that.
I’ve personally used Linux almost exclusively since 2000. I own 2 gaming machines that dual-boot to Windows, but since I rarely play games, 98% of the time I use Linux. My main use for Windows is to watch LOST online
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I am wondering …
I am wondering since this was 3 years ago, I am guessing BY NOW your school has upgraded to NEWER and FASTER PC’s did you guys STICK with GENTOO or did you guys give in and go back to windows?
I am wondering also at the end of the day when class is over, do you go home and use WINDOWS or MAC or do you stick with GENTOO so you dont get rusty on your coding and stuff like that?
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
i wish my school …
i wish my school had macs they have xp xp isnt that bad but every14 wants them to have macs
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
yes, you should try …
yes, you should try that…
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
yeah… ive been …
yeah… ive been using mint for like 3 months… i like it better then gentoo
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
i kinda agree… he …
i kinda agree… he shouldnt be talking about source codes and installing programs… he should be talking about why linux is better for the kids, and how by using open source programs instead of spending $1000+ on programs we can direct that money to more educating
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I tried gentoo …
I tried gentoo liked one year ago, the biggest problem for me was the package manager needed like 15 minutes to install even small programmes.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Let me take a …
Let me take a minute to address a couple of reoccuring comments:
1) Gentoo is no harder to use than any other Linux distribution. There is more work in setting it up, but our users USE Linux, they don’t install it or configure it, nor should they in our setting. I provide Ubuntu for those wishing to use Linux at home.
2) We do use binary packages - the difference is that I build the optimized binaries and use those for all our workstations. With Ubuntu, someone else builds them.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
His reasoning is …
His reasoning is crap…
I’m pro-any system, it depends on what it will be used for. Everything has a ‘best use’.
But I can tell you…his reasoning is total crap. That is not in any way a benefit of using any Linux distribution.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
rofl GENTU
lol ” …
rofl GENTU
lol “download a source code and our computers compile it”
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
All Linux distros …
All Linux distros include, or have easy access to, a powerful suite called Open Office, which is free, and has Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher etc equivalents which can read and write MS Office files. You can download it for free to run on Windows too - and stop having to PAY for MS Office.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
of course it has. …
of course it has. it’s called openoffice and it works on all major platforms not only linux.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Gentoo is a great …
Gentoo is a great distro. In fact it’s my favourite distro. But it’s not as simple using it as they show here. For Linux beginners it’s much better to use a simple to use distribution like Ubuntu or Mint.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
does linux have …
does linux have publisher, word and powerpoint?
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
itd destroy …
itd destroy microsoft too
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
That is nice I …
That is nice I think all schools public,private ect should use Linux. It would save school funding for a better education.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Or instead of …
Or instead of distributed compiling, you could just use binary packages.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Install Gentoo Linux
Install Gentoo Linux
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
hahahahahha
they …
hahahahahha
they download sourcecode, then compile it.
BIG DEAL. its nothing new. Thats how its always been done on open source platforms. This news broadcast makes it seem like its the BRAND NEW THING!
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
what’s the point of …
what’s the point of compiling it yourself? Let’s say I want to install Audacious, whats the difference between Portage compiling it and having APT get a pre compiled version
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Lunix is awesome
Lunix is awesome
April 29th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Hey, i’m on ubuntu …
Hey, i’m on ubuntu 8.10. I start on linux like one month ago, and decided Ubuntu because its a really easy trasition.
Hey, whats the name of that program?