Re: Setting up Linux etc, ...

[Mr M.H. Butler]

Xueyue Huang writes:

> I have been starting to do somethings to set up Linux, Objective-C 
> compiler, X-window, Swarm, etc.  Here are a list of things that I 
> know or that I do not know, could any of you please correct me or 
> give me answers to those I do not know?

> (1) I KNOW that to set up Linux: I can buy a distributable version 
> like RedHat from market;  I know my pentium PC with 16 MB RAM 
> is OK but I can add another 16 MB to it, so that is enough; 

16MB is enough for Linux and Swarm but they will run faster with more.
Memory is cheap at the moment (approximately 50 pounds sterling for
16MB) but I have heard that the EEC (European Parliament) intends to
implement a 100% tax on RAM sometime this year - so come July prices
could double; now might be a good time to buy.

> (2) I KNOW I can ftp swarm from internet
> (3) But I do not know whether X window is included in the RedHat or 
> not; if not I do not know what should I do. Should I buy it? How much 
> would it be?

XFree86 is included with Redhat - that's the point about buying Redhat
because the it makes setting up the X Server very easy. The only
problem is if your card is new and unsupported. For example as far as I
know Matrox Mystique is not supported by XFree but is supported by
Metro X so you have to pay some exta for this card. It's best to look
at http://www.xfree86.org/ and see if your card is supported. What card
has your machine got?

>  (4) I do not know whether the Objective-C environment is 
> included in the RedHat or not. If not, where I should get it and its 
> price.

Yes it is included in Redhat (and probably most Linux releases).

There are other Linux releases e.g. slackware but its just Redhat's
package manager is nice for installing / uninstalling software.

Be aware Redhat 4.2 has just been released; it will probably be a month
until the CD's reach these shores. Redhat 4.1 is freely available; the
install works well and it works with swarm. Should cost about 20 quid.

Mark H. Butler
address@hidden
http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~mhb
Liverpool Biocomputation Group

                  ==================================
   Swarm-Support is for discussion of the technical details of the day
   to day usage of Swarm.  For list administration needs (esp.
   [un]subscribing), please send a message to <address@hidden>
   with "help" in the body of the message.
                  ==================================