A new computer - let's load it up!

[folderol]

Adventure game:
You have entered a maze of little twisty turny passages...

Windows:
There may be exits but we're not telling you.

Apple:
There are exist North, South, East, West.

(advanced)
There is also a light switch.

Linux:
There are exist North, South, East, West, Up, Down.
There is also a light switch.

(advanced)
All the directions are re-definable and you can create your own exits.
The light switch can also set varying light intensity and colour.
If you type 'man Adventure' you will get a map of the maze but will need to sacrifice a chicken at dawn before you can understand it.

Sorry guys. I couldn't resist it

I'll get my coat...

[Oren]

Will,

I'll supply the ckicken.....

[Oren]

Andrew du Toit, a local Linux expert, came by today to tune up my two existing computers and deliver the discs for Studio 64. We put the "live" disc in the old Athlon 1700+ computer and had a look around - very cool! Almost all music-related software, with only a few basic tools thrown in to make a complete operating system. He offered to download and prepare Ubuntu Studio also...my head is about to burst with the handy tips the guy was dispensing as he worked.

We worked out the configuration for an ideal Linux build, and he'll return to help me load it up once I have the computer assembled.

The Linux thing is such a relief after wrestling with windoze all these years. Refreshing. I'm hoping to organize the set-up so even a guitar player can do it at home 

[Moon]

This sounds very promising indeed!

I'm particulary interested in what you think about the Unbuntu Studio.

Keep us posted!

Moon

[folderol]

I'd be interesting to hear about ubuntu studio. It's the only one I've had no contact with at all, although I would think it very unlikely I'd change now. I'm far to familiar and comfortable with 64studio.

There are only so many life 'enhancing' changes one can make 

[Oren]

Both the Linux specialist sales rep at our neighbourhood computer store, and my friendly Linux consultant, suggested Ubuntu Studio because of the active community supporting the Ubuntu Linux organization. The Studio 64 version delivered by my Linux consultant was AMD specific, and wouldn't install on my Pentium 4 dual-core computer....

The sales rep offered to assemble an Athlon-equipped computer for me with Linux-friendly components, and install Ubuntu Studio as the operating system (rather than Vizta home premium). He's already done it for another customer. Could it get any easier? I'm going to have to talk with this guy at some length about his hardware recommendations. Then if it looks plausible, lay down the cash and bring that puppy home! (the computer, not the salesman ) If things don't work out with Ubuntu, I can always fall back on Studio 64 and my main man Folderol...

Oren.

[kara]

This sounds like a very good solution Oren.
It will be a very good start for a 'Linux novice', at least you'll know for sure that the system is well build, installed and fully Linux compatible.

k

[folderol]

I really am very surprised you've had problems with 64studio on the pentium. Can you be more specific? I've mentioned this on the 64studio users list to see if anyone else has had problems, and if so, how they got round them.

[Oren]

I really am very surprised you've had problems with 64studio on the pentium. Can you be more specific? I've mentioned this on the 64studio users list to see if anyone else has had problems, and if so, how they got round them.

Not really an issue here  . My Linux guy downloaded the AMD-specific package from Studio 64, thinking we were going to install the operating system on a dual core Athlon 64. Which we eventually are, but I have to buy it first! A simple miscommunication .

Thanks for caring - we'll get this baby off the ground in good order, in good time....

Oren.

[Oren]

Jonathan at DTI Computers has selected the components for our Linux-specific build.
A brief overview: Athlon 64 6000+ dual core processer, Asus board, 4 gigs of Kingston DDR2 RAM, 520 watt P/S with 12mm quiet fan, a quiet case that Moon recommended, LG DVD burner, and a 500gig 16mb-buffer SATA2 H/D.

He tells me that Ubuntu Studio may not be 64 bit at this time, and we would be wiser to go with 64 Studio to utilize its documented 64-bit real-time kernel. OK.

Total price (minus the M-Audio 2496 card which I already have): $1025.00, 15% tax included.

M-Audio is the most recommended Linux-friendly card. Should I go with my old 2496, or buy a more full-featured model?

[kara]

Looks like a good configuration with quality components with good reputation.
I'm a bit surprised that you put only 1 HD in it ?

k

[Oren]

I'm a bit surprised that you put only 1 HD in it ?
k

Don't get me started  !

I have a 320gig external H/D, and another fast computer with two H/Ds in it, all for music processing. Plus, I like to back up my work on re-writable DVDs and keep them separate from the computer area, just to be safe.

With that in mind, the second H/D would seem a little extravagant, n'est pas  ?

[folderol]

Well, as you know I use a 2496, and use it to feed in the Sound Canvas and SY35. I also used it for the one (ad only) voice recording I ever made.

It sounds fine to me, but then I'm not exactly a spring chicken so others may hear defects I don't.

I've heard it said that for heavy audio recording work you should have two hard drives, one for all the software, set-up data & other crud, the other drive solely for the raw audio recording.

The reasoning is supposed to be that there is less likelihood of timing problems with hard disk seeks. Now whether this is realistic or not I couldn't say - I only have 1 HD in my ystem

[Oren]

Yes, Will,

I received a call today from Jonathon at DTI, and we're going ahead with the Audiophile 2496 and 64 Studio. He's done some nosing around, and Ubuntu Studio still works on a 32-bit kernel, and Creative Labs stubbornly avoids developing drivers that are Linux compatible.

I'll slide down there today with the 2496 and the cash.
Looks like you and I will be barking up the same tree, old son...

Oren.

[folderol]

Judging from what I've been reading about AMD and their recently acquired ati AND release of GPU specs and software, there could soon be a lot of pressure on other hardware manufacturers to follow suit - watch the penguin really fly then!