OpenLinux Technology Preview-What's new?
Written: Aug 27 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Comes pre-bundled with all the hot beta Linux software you can't get installed otherwise.
Cons: Stability problems (from beta software), not too many revoulitionary new features.
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| kfj001's Full Review: Caldera OpenLinux |
Linux Technology Preview: What's new again...?
I must say that when a new Linux distribution comes out, I'm all over it. I usually screw around with it non-stop, until I kill it, or until I'm satisfied that it's either good, or bad.
Caldera systems released the Linux technology preview as a way to give the Linux user community, something that's it's been begging for, for about 10 months now.
That would be the Linux Kernel 2.4 This wonder computer code has been coveted as the next Linux kernel, a gigantic step forward for making Linux more integrated, scaleable, stable and most importantly, compatible.
Caldera bundled this "miracle kernel" along with some other "hot" and "beta" software.
Caldera OpenLinux: LTP comes with the recently "authorized" Xfree86 Version 4.0 (Xwindow implementation) and the K desktop environment version 2.0-prerelease.
It also includes the latest development tools, including the latest Linux binary technologies.
With all this new, "super-software" you'd think that OpenLinux LTP would make you the envy of other Linux users everywhere.
Well, I doubt that aside from Linux programmers, you will find nothing new, that's any different from OpenLinux 2.4 eDesktop, or any other Linux distribution for that matter.
The new Linux kernel supports USB devices in a way that previous kernels haven't (nor any 3rd party modules). It also features device support for a LOT of devices, devices who's manufactures have since released some of the operating code, making them work under other platforms (other than Windows)
The Kernel level stability in 2.4 is nice, regardless of the constant release delays for "stability enhancement". Granted, more work makes things better, but this kernel isn't too unstable for you to "test run" on your independent workstation.
Forget about enterprise though, this distro has way too little server support to become your new server, so moving along...
While working with the kernel, your probably not going to notice anything "new" aside from the support of a LOT of new devices.
XFree86 4.0
This super-popular Xwindows implementation has undergone a lot of changes, the nicest one is the auto-configuration it can perform, without the additional need of the Xfree86Setup and xf86config tools (which are typically separate packages).
Xfree86 4 now can be configured (without too many headaches) by adding a simple command line value, and "letting it do it's thing". This is a big step in the right direction for Linux.
Then, threes the most obvious "new" change in OpenLinux: LTP, KDE2
KDE2
This is probably the best new thing since the desktop environment in Linux. This is truly the best thing included into LTP.
KDE2 has a new interface style, aided by the new QT2 specifications for user interfaces, KDE2 makes a lot of headway into not only making KDE look better, but also function better.
KDE2 has some pretty NICE integration into Linux AS an operating system. Firstly, the new USB support. When you add a new USB device (and activate it) the device is picked up by the kernel, then KDE2 picks up the activation and informs the user! This may not sound like a "big thing" because you usually have to load the required module for the device manually, but again, it's a good FIRST step.
KDE2 also features the new "Dr.Konqi" process management system. This system watches KDE applications if they go hideously wrong, and crash, Dr.Konqi comes up, informing you the user why your app just went down the tubes, in either miniscule detail, or a full core dump report, as per your preferences.
Dr.Konqi also gives you the ability to inform the application debug team (of whoever makes the app) of your problem, and you can even attach a little message of what you were doing when it went boom. This adds to the amazing stability potential in Linux, because when something goes wrong, the program makers can be informed about it!
Linux guru's might think that Dr.Konqi's representation may seem a little "cutesy", and call it a dumbing down of Linux, but considering it makes application debugging and improvement an actual part of a user experience, I think even the guru's would like this feature.
KDE2 also replaces the somewhat dated the K file manger with the new KDE: Konqurer internet web browser and Linux file manager. Konqurer features a modern web browsing system, and the full featured KDE file manager, along with shell integration, so you can run programs, associate applications with files, and just generally do what other file managers from other platforms have been doing for years now (IE: Apple "Finder")
Caldera has modified the KDE control center included in KDE2 to include items to interface with the Caldera Open Administration System (COAS). This is the GUI administration system that gives you (as "root") the ability to modify things like the Network, device mounting, Loaded Kernel Modules, runlevel services, and network services (of the ones included, and configured for COAS.) Aside from the COAS extensions inside the KDE2 Control Center, there really aren't much major new features, or enhancements to the KCC {KDE control center}
Your user session with 99% beta software...
This is a technology preview, meaning that virtually everything is in BETA or pre-release status. This tends to make for a very unreliable user session. When you use KDE2, watch out for those "unfixed" bugs, because this build of KDE2 has a lot of em. Your user session can (and does) lock up for no apparent reason, or certain applications (KDE Central, or 3rd party) will stop responding, requiring you to slip into a console to "kill" it.
Most of this instability is caused by KDE2, but isn't helped by the prerelease status of Xfree86.
There are a slew of applications included with LTP, that are geared for multimedia & desktop uses. And a lot of them are pre-release. Just warning you now...
Conclusion
If your looking at Linux seriously, then Caldera OpenLinux: Linux Technology Preview isn't for you, providing an unstable user experience, and questionable stability, your really better off with OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4, or another Linux distro.
But, if your in the mood to see what all the hub-bub is with these new Linux components being delayed over, and over again, and are dying to see "what's new", then the LTP is your dream distro, because all those beta applications (which are nearly IMPOSSIBLE to compile correctly & install) are pre-loaded onto your "test system".
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
kfj001
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Member: Kyle
Location: Buffalo, NY, USA
Reviews written: 138
Trusted by: 30 members
About Me:
"Testing", "Destroying", it's all just one big, gray line to me.
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