WBEL4 Preview Ready For Testing 265
linuxbeta writes "A preview of WBEL4 (White Box Enterprise Linux) is currently available via BitTorrent. White Box nicely fills the niche between Fedora and RHEL. WBEL Sreenshots. WBEL FAQ. With this latest White Box Enterprise Linux release, is it time to walk away from RHEL?" Not if you want support from Red Hat, it's not.
What about CentOS? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What about CentOS? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:What about CentOS? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What about CentOS? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:What about CentOS? (Score:2, Insightful)
(So that new release is now old
White Box? Red Hat? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:White Box? Red Hat? (Score:2)
CentOS (Score:4, Informative)
Re:CentOS (Score:5, Interesting)
Regards,
Steve
Re:CentOS (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm not trying to bash either one, I just don't understand why if they live next door, leave at the same time and work in the same office they might not want to ride-share?
TW
Re:CentOS (Score:2)
Uhmm, RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) isn't exactly a project that could merge with CentOS.
If you mean WBEL and CentOS, CentOS is bigger so I guess it'd make sense for WBEL to merge into CentOS but I don't think its existence is any kind of hindrance to CentOS (or vice versa) so if they want to be separate projects, let them be.
Re:CentOS (Score:3, Insightful)
Darn. What company can't afford 345 bucks a year?? I mean, a new computer is even more expensive.
Re:CentOS (Score:2)
(Mind you, I'm still pushing for RHEL4 on our next platform revision, but it's easy to imagine that if the company were more cash-strapped that a $27,600 savings would be quite attractive.)
Re:CentOS (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:CentOS (Score:5, Interesting)
Jeremy
Re: (Score:2)
Re:CentOS (Score:2)
$20,000 over a five year period != $20,000 now
When appraising investment alternatives you _must_ discount future cash flow, otherwise you are making wrong decisions. So, the (discounted) present value of $20,000 over a five year period is in fact much less than $20,000.
Having said that, if
Re:CentOS (Score:4, Informative)
Re:CentOS (Score:2)
RHEL have recommended CentOS in the mailing list if you need an enterpise system and you or your company can't afford $345 a year. I guess that says alot about it.
And if your company can't afford or won't pay $345 a year for an enterprise system, that says a lot about the company.
Differences between Whitebox, CentOS, Tao? (Score:5, Informative)
What distinguishes Whitebox and Tao from CentOS? As far as I've been able to tell, they're all just blatant imitators of RHEL, but CentOS appears to have the largest community (and therefore, the greatest prospect of actually being around in five years).
So: why bother with Whitebox or Tao?
Re:Differences between Whitebox, CentOS, Tao? (Score:3, Interesting)
"You fail to understand the Tao. Go away." [kungfo0.org]
Re:Differences between Whitebox, CentOS, Tao? (Score:2)
Better looking login-screen
ST Font? (Score:2)
Re:ST Font? (Score:4, Funny)
It is important to note... (Score:5, Informative)
Regards,
Steve
Re:It is important to note... (Score:2, Informative)
Regards,
Steve
Mod parent up (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Mod parent up (Score:2)
Re:Mod parent up (Score:5, Insightful)
Regards,
Steve
Re:Mod parent up (Score:2)
I think you'll find that, in terms of the groupthink (as hard to properly define as it is), what "slashdotters" don't like is actually having to learn to do things a different way. It wasn't so much that the spatial model didn't suit their needs, it was more the fact that it required them to learn a new way to structure their files, and interact with their system. To be fair, having that
Re:Mod parent up (Score:2, Insightful)
I don't think anyone can fully explain _why_ they prefer spatial or browser model; it's just a matter of taste and what you're used to. I like the idea of two directories being physically different places and you can drag files from 'here' to 'there'. This doesn't mean that others are wrong to prefer a browser interface. T
Re:Mod parent up (Score:3, Interesting)
You mean like you can do with a single window and a dir tree to one side? (Genuine question, I've not used Nautilus at all in years)
Re:Mod parent up (Score:3)
for example, i worked with a company who was looking to deploy their servers on a new platform. The initial development was done on FreeBSD, but we were looking at using Red Hat Enterprise Linux when the time finally came for full scale deployment. We had no problem with paying for the Red Hat Enterprise subscription on our production servers, but we wanted to be
Other flavors... CentOS & TaoLinux (Score:4, Informative)
CentOS at http://www.centos.org/ [centos.org] and probably TaoLinux at http://www.taolinux.org/ [taolinux.org] will also follow suit with a new release.
One interesting software release that takes advantage of North-American Linux Enterprise distribution, is Asterisk@home, which comes with a recent CentOS 3.4 build. Spin your own VoIP infrastrucutre from http://asteriskathome.sourceforge.net/ [sourceforge.net]
Re:Other flavors... CentOS & TaoLinux (Score:2)
It is unlikely that the way trademarked info was taken out, the way repositories (up2date, yum) work and other details are 100% the same.
I don't know for WBEL, but for CentOS IIRC up2date is a wrapper for yum. Maybe WBEL even doesn't come with yum.
What about kernel compatibility? (Score:5, Interesting)
I'd imagine all kernels were recompiled, at least to remove the word 'redhat'. I know I could download RHES kernels from their installation floppies and use those... but is that required to run precompiled kernel modules?
Re:What about kernel compatibility? (Score:2)
Trust me, I tried that stunt with a number of kernels years ago and it worked just fine.
Re:What about kernel compatibility? (Score:2)
This fucking bastard actually checked the sublevel of the redhat kernel.
So basically, while I might be running:
2.4.21 on RHAS 3.0
IBM would check for the freaking sub-release number so I had to be running:
2.4.21-27.0.2.ELsmp
I couldn't run:
2.4.21-9.ELsmp
Oddly enough when we had no choice but to use a newer kernel version and IBM hadn't updated the tape driver, we were able to manually extract everything from the RPM (The goddamned RPM refused to i
Re:What about kernel compatibility? (Score:2)
Here's the full story. We were building our new TSM server. It's connected via fiber to a 3581 tape library. When we did the install from the media shipped by Redhat, it contained 2.4.21-z. The IBM Tape driver was built specifically for 2.4.21-y which was an older version number. We had to run the newer version because (A) the older wasn't available and (B) the driver for our HBA didn't work properly with the older one anyway.
Checking RHN and contacting Red
Re:What about kernel compatibility? (Score:4, Informative)
In practice, it works. (Score:2)
Re:What about kernel compatibility? (Score:2)
"To Retain Enough Compatibility" - Not good enough (Score:5, Insightful)
While I believe variety in Linux distributions in itself is a positive contribution to the platform's overall growth and appeal, The distributions should be distinct enough to offer a meaningful value-add as compared to others already established in the market (free - as in beer - as the market is).
Where Centos provides an unincumbered version of a supported (and thereby presumed superior) distribution, what is WhiteBox providing over either of these existing and established offerings?
--CTH
Red Hat's response? (Score:3, Insightful)
Most of the Enterprise licenses I've purchased have been acquired to avoid the upgrade dance. I know linux well enough to troubleshoot just about anything that comes up outside of obscure kernel and driver issues. In my two years using Redhat Enterprise, I've had to use their tech support once to resolve a hardware issue. I wonder how many other corporate IT depts are in a similiar situation and how this will ultimately affect Redhat revenue?
Re:Red Hat's response? (Score:2)
Re:Red Hat's response? (Score:2)
If you want to avoid the upgrade dance, you need to run on Debian. RHEL and its free clones have the same problem as all other RedHat distributions--when there's a new major release, you have to get a CD and physically go to the server and install the upgrade.
Support (Score:4, Interesting)
That to me sums it up. The *only* reason i can think of to go with Red Hat is if you need the support. Other than that.. what are the benefits?
Re:Support (Score:2)
Re:Support (Score:2)
rhn is a big one. Being able to manage all of my system updates from one web page, knowing the exact status of the machines. They also have a higher level of RHN that allows even more management, like provisioning new installs.
It's something I wish Microsoft would offer.
Satellite and Proxy (Score:3, Informative)
We're doing a Satellite deployment here, which allows us to do one click provisioning of servers with known package profiles, including our own in house developed packages. It means that instead of relying on people passing command lines around within the organisation to do production upgrades (since each project within our engineering dept packages slightly differently),
Re:Support (Score:2)
Of course I suppose(and not directed at you) Morons saying Red Hat is the micro$oft of linux will never stop.
img-timeline (Score:5, Informative)
In fact, this very article announced whitebox finnaly got RHEL4 rebuilt, yet the CentOS team had it finished over a month ago, and I'll be putting my first live instance of it in production on monday.
Re:img-timeline (Score:2)
Thanks,
- Tim
Re:img-timeline (Score:2)
Stop lying. Thanks.
YALD (Score:3, Interesting)
yet another linux distribution
imagine if everyone collaborated on say 5 distributions, fixed the bugs, polished the GUI's instead of the thousands of distros that are more-or-less the same thing.
MS would of been toast years ago
all the time there are these clones of each other they just dilute the brand and waste valuable manpower, these distros dont add anything significant to the table, its as if Linux innovation has stalled and now people are just resorting to changing wallpaper and icons , sticking a different logo on it and call it YALD
focus is a word that needs to be kept in mind, MS has been so successful because its a known quantity, i cant imagine the nightmares support/service companies will have in the future trying to support all these variations,
thats why Red Hat/Suse are successful
because they have a plan and are sticking to it, companies love consistancy and YALD is the complete opposite
Re:YALD (Score:2)
Maybe you missed something in the article. WBEL is trying to be as much of a clone as is legaly possible to RHEL. They are aiming for consitancy. Your point is well taken, but I think you picked the wrong story to post it to.
TW
Re:YALD (Score:2)
Looks like WBEL is being discontinued... (Score:5, Interesting)
I've been actively involved in the CentOS community for the past several months. As most of you know I've become disinterested in WBEL. CentOS is nearly the same as WBEL with a few minor exceptions: updates occur in a timely fashion (usually 24 hours), the developers are accessible (even if via IRC), and there is an active community (again in IRC atm).
CentOS has launched a new dedicated site at http://www.centos.org [centos.org]
I have prepared a migration page for moving from wbel to CentOS. http://www.centos.org/modules/smartfaq/faq.php?fa
I am confused now. Who's who?
Re:Looks like WBEL is being discontinued... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Looks like WBEL is being discontinued... (Score:4, Insightful)
WBEL was probably the first RHEL clone out with a 1.0 release but it's also a one man show. CentOS has a small army of people behind it so if one or two important people get hit by a bus, it will continue on without them.
Sloppy editing strikes again (Score:5, Funny)
"Not if you want support from Red Hat, it's not."
Answer:
There is a iterative fragment missing from this statement. I've bolded it below.
"Not if you want support from Red Hat until the whim strikes them to EOL your product, it's not."
Re:Sloppy editing strikes again (Score:2)
Re:Sloppy editing strikes again (Score:3, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2, Insightful)
However, there is an "Open X"! It's called OpenGL
OpenGL started out as a library for educational-oriented 3D applications and has since been extended to be used in some of the most popular games, such as Unreal Tournament and
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
This seems to be a very common misunderstanding on /.. DirectX != OpenGL. DirectX encompasses much, much more functionality than OpenGL does (sound and input, for example).
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
You have an itch, why don't you scratch it? Yes, that's the "default answer" and I know it may be unpopular among the "consumers", but if you want to create an Open-X, nobody's stopping you.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:A classic example of how NOT to support Linux (Score:2)
And no, he really doesn't present a majority of *nix users. Most of these people have succeeded only because they are open minded, that they can comunicate with others without insult, etc. Such guys like this is usually actracted by *nix system "elitism", so they can claim you a looser, that you don't know nothing, etc. Usually such people are very
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:3, Interesting)
You mean like OpenGL? (Ok, yes, I know, DirectX does more than just graphics ...)
In any event, you don't usually play games on enterprise Linux distributions. So your post is rather out of place here.
Since we're talking about enterprise Linux distibutions, what enterprise
Heh (Score:5, Insightful)
In certain popular cases people will create workarounds in WINE/Cedega/CrossoverOffice and enthusiasts have created drivers for some of even the most closed off and niche hardware devices -- but you cannot count on them to be easy to install or to work wonderfully. So really, you have to realize that not all software and hardware will work on Linux. What I don't get is that people are perfectly willing to accept that Windows-only hardware/software won't work on the Mac, but they can't accept that it won't work on Linux.
When you buy a playstation2, you do so knowing you won't be able to play Paper Mario or other exclusive Nintendo titles. When you buy a iPod, you do so knowing you can only use iTMS for legal music purchases. And when you use Linux you must realize that certain software and hardware publishers are hostile to Linux and you can't just blindly use anything that expects Windows to be running. If you mistakenly think that one day it'll all be perfect and linux will be 100% software and hardware compatible... I'll just hope you aren't holding your breath until then.
Re:Heh (Score:2)
The idea that iPods can *only* use music from the iTMS is a myth spun by Microsoft.
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
There already is one. It's called SDL (Simple Directmedia Layer).
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
SDL - http://www.libsdl.org/index.php [libsdl.org]
OpenAL - http://www.openal.org/ [openal.org]
OpenGL - http://www.opengl.org/ [opengl.org]
These are - specially SDL - very matured things and lot of games are coded in them.
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
Re:I'm almost ready to dump XP (Score:2)
Yes, libsdl does some of the basics, but it's a stepping off point, not a solution. It would be ironic indeed if winelib gets such a good DirectX implementation that its easier for authors to port to that than code from sdl which is missing large chunks of functionality.
Of course some of th
Software? (Score:2, Interesting)
whitebox torrent... (Score:2, Informative)
in case it goes down (little slow) hopefully tracker doesn't go with it...
WBEL vs Fedora vs CentOS (Score:3, Interesting)
And if there's a good reason to choose them over Fedora, should I look at WBEL or CentOS? I'm very confused by the conflicting statements on this site [whiteboxlinux.org] and those on this site [whiteboxlinux.com]. To my reading, the second site is trying to make it sound like WBEL is dead, and the CentOS FAQ "confirms" it, but that doesn't jive at all with the "official" WBEL site.
Re:WBEL vs Fedora vs CentOS (Score:3, Informative)
I don't know the difference between WBEL/CentOS, they are very much alike. CentOS seems to have a larger community behind it, perhaps.
Redhat will EOL FC3 in about 9 months. After that you'll get some sort of community support for a while. The community will have to fix everything by hand. Since a new version of FC happens every 6 months or so and each version will require a new team to look after it I wouldn't assume this would go on for too long
RH will EOL RHEL4 in about 5 years.
Re:WBEL vs Fedora vs CentOS (Score:2)
I had some weird packet loss problems when
Redhats trademark and competitors (Score:2, Interesting)
Here's the scoop: Redhat hates CentOS because their salesmen keep telling them "we are getting caned in large data centres - they think we are expensive and are all grabbing CentOS instead." True conversation from the inside.
Redhats response: be like Microsoft. Try to crush the competition by using lawyers. Redhat is threatening CentOS by saying that they cannot even mention 'Redhat' on the site. Not only is this a deliberately bad reading of trademark law (fair use, comparat
Re:Redhats trademark and competitors (Score:2)
I would love to see some corporate employee call up IBM or Oracle and say "I can't my database server working." "Are you running RHEL or Suse?" "Neither" "Call us back when you are."
Sure you can lie and say that you're running RHEL2.1 but the first time you submit an egather report to IBM and it says you're running WBEL, they'll tell you to call back when you are.
The only thing Redhat
Nice Gnome screenshots (Score:2)
Well at least Gnome works.
Bugzilla (Score:2)
I have, and have had a better experience putting in a bugzilla rather than a RHEL ticket.
There is no SLA with bugzilla, but the techs do want to get the problems solved.
NBAAEL - No Box At All Enterprise Linux (Score:2)
Also known as:
WTFNAB? - Who The Fuck Needs A Box?
Solaris 10... (Score:2)
Install it on as many systems as you want, you just have to register each one to get an entitlement (free - as in no monetary cost).
Plus you get free security updates for the entire time it's supported...
My company's moving to Solaris 10 because it runs everything we need (Apache 2, Oracle (soon to be PostGres), etc.)...
Theme and font (Score:2)
Re:Will it be free?` (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Will it be free?` (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Both are OK (Score:2, Interesting)
I call a bluff (Score:2)
Given that patches for stable kernel, libc and so on are freely available under GPL and Redhat support doesn't
Re:RH Certification (Score:2)
Re:YAD! (Score:2)
Re:YAD! (Score:2)
Those days are waning. It has come time for linux to become respectable - for coders to focus on rounding out the OS and the tools that support it. For years we have been talking about linux on the desktop, and each year we get just a tiny little bit closer. But it just aint going to happen with 100+ distros creating
Re:YAD! (Score:2)
Re:YAD! (Score:2)
OSDL, afaik, also has some kind of sub-comitee which will deal with desktop things. Lot of good desktop hackers and companies are already there.
Fo
Re:YAD! (Score:2)
Re:YAD! (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes. If you don't like the distro, don't use it. Distro proliferation only causes two problems: package compatablility and information overload for newbies. The first problem is a very small one if you're using an open, community based distribution. [ubuntu.com] Normal users have all their needs met in the repositories for that distro, and users who need special software either ask someone to package it for them, use ali