Oct
29
2005

A Year Of Gentoo

Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 02:56:54 pm
(Posted Under: Linux Linux, Gentoo Linux Gentoo Linux)
Given that the Melbourne Cup is just around the corner (next Tuesday - roll on the public holiday baaaaaaaby [wink] ), it's almost a year that I've been running Gentoo Linux.

I've actually been using Gentoo for longer than that, probably since around April 2004. Funniest thing is how much I initially hated it. At the time Debian was my Linux distro of choice. I'd used UN*X type systems since 1996, but it wasn't until Feb 2004 that I took the plunge and installed my own Linux system. Not through lack of desire I don't think, mainly through lack of a spare machine. However in Feb 2004 when I got wireless broadband internet. I'd been using a Windows 98SE machine to host and share my dialup connection, and on expirencing MTU problems it was 3 days before typing format c:\ and installing Debian. Not that fixed the MTU problems per se, but certainly was good to get away from ICS, and have proper NAT and a firewall. And was so much better, (duh!), for a server. So, anyways, what am I talking about...oh yeah, Gentoo! [smile]

So yeah, the company I was with at the time moved from Debian to Gentoo, much to my dismay. My first Gentoo install, which was a mail scanning server was such a headache. It took about a week (admitadly it was running on a 233MHz PII which didn't help none) and several attempts, and I recall proclaiming once it was all said and done (after constant bitching) that Gentoo was absolutely ridiculous and I'd never personally use Gentoo! Pretty funny, given that 7 months later, with more experience with Gentoo, and growing frustration with Debian being in the dark ages, I installed Gentoo on my new beefy server in November. The new server was a result of getting sick of the aforementioned MTU problem, which ironically fixed itself (it must have been upstream) a week after ordering the new server, a week before it arrived.

At the time I did consider briefly sticking with Debian, but went with Gentoo, and haven't looked back. By November I was fairly sold on Gentoo as it was, but the past year dealing with it day in and day out is such a pleasure. Also highlights how fast time goes, I can remember doing the installation like it was yesterday!
Now Playing: Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers - Americano!

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