Linux on the laptop

[gsidford]

What do you guys think about having a homebrewforum distribution of Linux. I can put one together very easily!

Interesting idea, but two questions spring to mind

1) What would be unique about this one against other distro's out there ?
2) Is it worth the effort to put together and maintain ?

 

[Dieseljockey]

What do you guys think about having a homebrewforum distribution of Linux. I can put one together very easily!

When I started this post yesterday I didn't anticipate this response...but it seems that enough folks get on with it ok...
as for a Linux version .. :wha: I've only been playing with it for 24 hours...up to the powers above for any thing like that...but I'd give it a try.. :clap:

 

[gsidford]

There are a lot of distro's already out there which cater for a lot of different requirements, and I would think that the possible community for a brewing focused distro may be limited, hence my question is it worth the effort.

Might it be an idea for us to compile a list of the best Linux brewing software available and provide links and if necessary instructions on how it install/use those.

The software list would be a starting point that would be needed as the basis for a brewing distro to make it different anyway.

I think this approach would be much more maintainable, and also can cover people who want to run the same software on Windows (if available)

 

[hairybiker]

I have played with qbrew but that is about it.

I know some of the M$ based ones will run under wine fine.

 

[Kyral210]

Just thrown a distro together, very rough at the moment but 100% functional. I was thinking of creating a distro which is 'an OS ready for brewers strait out of the box'.

Ok, here is my question. What software would you REALLY want to come with Home Brew Linux out of the box? Any files, appliances, guides?

 

[LewisA]

Just thrown a distro together, very rough at the moment but 100% functional. I was thinking of creating a distro which is 'an OS ready for brewers strait out of the box'.

Ok, here is my question. What software would you REALLY want to come with Home Brew Linux out of the box? Any files, appliances, guides?

I know this would be a community job but a recipie database with everything in Noob terms :lol:
and a selection of guides would be good too

 

[StubbsPKS]

Just thrown a distro together, very rough at the moment but 100% functional. I was thinking of creating a distro which is 'an OS ready for brewers strait out of the box'.

Ok, here is my question. What software would you REALLY want to come with Home Brew Linux out of the box? Any files, appliances, guides?

I was thinking it would be more worth it to host an apt-repository with all of the brewing software on it if someone were willing to maintain it rather than creating a distro.

At least that would make it quite simple for new users of linux to install the needed apps :)

It is also easier to maintain a repo than a distro I would think :

 

[hairybiker]

Yes a repository would be better than trying to get a full distro offered you can host it in launchpad easily enough
Although you may want to have rpm's for our poorer relatives using Suse/RH/etc

 

[Kyral210]

Well its actually both.

You create a list of databases, software, recipes etc. and then include the contents of that list in the distro. Every 6-12 months we look at what has entered the list, exited the list, etc. and then adjust the software and files bundled with the distro automatically.

I think a good start is QBrew. Personally, I love Beer Smith, but it isnt Linux based and you have to pay for it. Q Brew is similar but free on linux. I would say use Qbrew as this forums offial brewing software, and we ask the geek members of the forum to help improve, enhance and contribute to. It wouldn't be hard to go through the recipes of this forum and create a database which sits inside QBrew. Anyway, that's all a bit geeky.

The distro itself is basically Ubuntu but with HBF styling. Here is the distro 1st alpha:
http://susegallery.com/a/tjQBMT/home-brew-linux--2

If any of you fancy being alpha testers for the basic configuration please feel free. It is 100% safe and reliable, so no need to worry about that.

 

[Sean_Mc]

Thanks for the work you put into this Kyral :thumb:

I'll download and install on the shed PC at the weekend

 

[Kyral210]

Let me know what you think, ALL good and bad. Especially the bad. I dont know how much of a good or bad idea this is, but it would be the first OS created with home brewers in mind, which might spawn a mini community project in itself.

 

[Springer]

Yes, look what you started Diesel and you thought the Darkside was AG.
Just had a play with Qbrew again, already in the Package Manager of Ubuntu under System, Administration, if anyone has not found it already.
No doubt it might not be viewed as "good" as other options, but it looks ok to me and its free.
S

 

[Dieseljockey]

Yes, look what you started Diesel and you thought the Darkside was AG.
Just had a play with Qbrew again, already in the Package Manager of Ubuntu under System, Administration, if anyone has not found it already.
No doubt it might not be viewed as "good" as other options, but it looks ok to me and its free.
S

I know Springer....little did I think it would go like this...I thought you guys would say "yes I love it" or "don't touch it"
now we have stuff happening that I only know a bit about...but I love anything techno and will try it.. :clap:

I've download the "home brew Linux" and burned to a cd...now I have to work this out....bugger.. :wha:

 

[Springer]

I am no computer nerd and have dabbled with a few Linux distros, Redhat, Mandrake, Xandros, Puppy, and others. Had to work hard with some in the early days, can't comment on how they are now. But when I moved to Ubuntu it worked out of the box, with loads of software and backup from a search.
Personally, I would not venture to anything else at the moment, unless I had a good reason and I don't, cos Ubuntu is tried and tested by many and it works.
Don't know what your distro does kyral, don't want to offend, but I know I have struggled in the past, trying to get "things" to work, most guys like me just want a computer as tool, not a hobby
S

 

[Smod]

That would be great. Beer themed and Beer related software / calculators :

 

[gsidford]

I would not venture to anything else at the moment, unless I had a good reason and I don't, cos Ubuntu is tried and tested by many and it works.

I agree with you there, I use a distro which suites me, and have good community support and far more likelihood of surviving than one with a limited user base. The internet is littered with Linux distros which never gained traction because they either did not have any really unique selling point or the large scale support which goes into making one successful. 27 years in the IT industry can make you sceptical.

Likewise I don't want to run down what you have done kyral, I salute you for your enthusiasm in getting this going, but I am of the opinion that I have something that works well, is supported well and to be frank from my opinion isn't Ubuntu. Not that Ubuntu isn't a good offering, just doesn't suit every bodies taste.

The Software list is what I think would be of real benefit because that is something everyone can use which ever route they go down. Add to that a HBF Gnome & KDE 4 themes and you have the start of something that can be used and is more likely to be used.

 

[Vindiv8]

I am loving how this has snowballed, definitely going to check out qbrew, keep meaning to look for linux brewing applications. The distribution sounds good, I may try it on the new laptop as a dual boot with xp, particularly if it's based on ubuntu.

 

[Springer]

Yes, look what you started Diesel
S

Yes look what you started Diesel, 56 replies, only two other topics have got more on the first four pages that I checked, the word association game :? :? :? that doesn't count :) and ok the HBF glass. :clap:
S

 

[Dieseljockey]

Right this is where the problems start... :wha:
I'm running Linux from the CD at the moment....first thoughts..looks good. Had no hassle with my T-mobile USB...plugged it in and away we went.. :party:

I use the mobile when I'm in the truck..but at home Linux will not pickup the wifi.. :nono: I've been into connections and enabled wifi....no way. So I thought daul boot...tried that only to get to the 3rd screen (where you enter name & password) to find the continue button grayed out so could not carry on...had to abandon it for now.

Then tried the disc for home brew...it loaded but all I got was the first screen with the pint mug..nothing I clicked on would work.. :twisted: :twisted:

Is it me...don't answer that I hate rejection.. :lol: :lol:

 

[Springer]

Sorry, can't help with wifi Diesel, never been there, still using copper here. :lol: