Messages in this thread |  | | Date | Wed, 23 Oct 1996 12:46:40 -0700 | From | Michael Driscoll <> | Subject | Re: Linux needs control.exe |
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>I think to make Linux an alternative to Windows for Joe User, Linux >system administration must be lots easier. This applies to other >Unixes as well. In two years NT machines will be as powerful as >sparcs. Why should anyone bother fighting with Unix sysadmin then? >Have you ever added a HD under Solaris? I see, you got the point ;-)
First of all, let me note that I think Linux will *always* have benefits over commercial servers like Win NT (especially for low-startup/low-budget types like small ISPs) , because 1) for the same hardware, you're getting more performance (lower overhead in the OS) and 2) it's free.
In other words, I don't think Linux (or other free unices) are in danger of being phased out because they can't compete.
Anyways, back to the conversation at hand.
>Back to Linux. I do think Linux must get a system administration shell >as good looking as Win95's control.exe, but yet more easier to use >(and it should fit on a root disc ;-) > >The power user should still be possible to dig in /etc/* config files, >so the control shell must use the usual Linux config files. > >I think making Linux easier for end users is much more important than >adding yet another feature to the kernel (therefore this post in >dev.kernel ;-).
Other unices have these administration shells (sar (solaris?), smit(AIX), etc. The ESA (armadillo) book from ORA lists them).
I agree with you that there could be a need for one of these shells, but I doubt you'll get a volunteer to do it in this case (mostly because anyone with the experience needed knows how and would rather do it all without the shell :-), so instead one of the value-added companies involved with Linux will be the ones who do it (there have already been some inroads in this area that I've seen, but nothing really comprehensive)
Then again, there is the patchwork way that Linux and the PC architechture work (ie Linux can use any of a number of versions for any utils, ie simpleinit v sysvinit, etc, and for the PC architechture, gah, I don't think anyone will argue with the term 'patchwork', except to tell me I'm being too light on it). Anyways, due to this environment it is possible that a comprehensive administration shell would be way too much trouble to be worth it, so the point would be moot. Mike Driscoll fenris@lightspeed.net
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