CNET -- How to build a supercomputer at home

[Bohn Christopher A Capt AFRL/IFSD]

> From: Douglas Eadline [mailto:deadline@plogic.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 1999 6:38 PM
[...]
> The next extreme linux CD is in the works. A note about the intended
> audience is needed.  The first EL CD came from CESDIS/RedHat.
> It was intended to be a "beginners" CD. And, as Don mentioned
> recently "It is still a good first time CD for a novice user."
> The problem is that the advanced user got themselves into trouble.
> (like installing RH 5.2 then installing the rpms from the EL CD)
[...]

We've long since beaten the horse to death regarding problems with some of
the software on the first EL CD, so I shan't repeat them here.

But this rather forces us to ask what we consider a "beginner" and a
"novice" to be.  The first EL CD, being based on RH 5.0, is not what I would
have considered suitable for someone who never performed a Linux before.
I've used UNIX since 1988, and I would not have been able to build a Beowulf
with the EL CD if I hadn't first taught myself how to set up Linux [1].
Having since set up a couple machines (unrelated to Beowulf) with RH 6.0, I
can tell you there is a world of difference.  Still not simple enough for my
Mom, but enough for someone with UNIX experience who isn't uncomfortable
reading technical books [2].

Take care,
cb

[1] This was not entirely my decision -- I originally set out to build a
Beowulf before the EL CD; so I set up a small Linux network, trying a couple
different distro's, then downloaded & installed MPICH; by time I was
satisfied I'd learned enough hard-knock lessons to do a clean re-install,
the EL CD hit the stores, so I used it.
[2] Not an official endorsement or denouncement.

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