TRS-80 emulators, Linux distributions

From: Caldera Systems Support <support_at_caldera.com>
Date: Fri Oct 23 14:06:07 1998

I would like to clarify a couple points that Jim makes.

Tech Support - It is true from time to time we get backed up in our support mail.
Our goal is to respond with in 1-2 business days. For the most part we do achieve
this. That support is for installation in the out of the box configuration. While
we don't have enough time to support everything available for Linux, we do make an
effort to point customers in a direction if they are asking question beyond our
scope. A lot of factors are a part of an installation. The most challenging can
be the hardware itself. Typically support for the latest hardware lags a bit in
Linux, depending on the hardware vendors willingness to work with the Open Source
community. For example until kernel version 2.0.35 Ultra DMA IDE was not supported
in Linux without using experimental patches. Our OpenLinux 1.3, released Oct. 1st
includes this kernel. Regardless of which Linux distribution you choose I
recommend that you check the vendors hardware compatibility list before installing.

Based on Red Hat distribution- Actually our distribution is our own. We merged
with LST from Germany a year ago, these same LST engineers build and test our
OpenLinux distribution. Other than our first product CND, which was based on Red
Hat, we have been based on the LST distribution for all of the OpenLinux products.
It is true that OpenLinux, Red Hat, SuSE, Debian all now use the system V
initialization routines, rather than the BSD method which Slackware still does. So
for someone used to BSD type systems that may be more appealing.

Jim,
We would like a chance to change your impressions of Caldera. We would like to
send you a free copy of our latest Product Openlinux 1.3. Please send me your
shipping address and we will get one out to you.

Mark Carpenter
Manager, Technical Support
Caldera Systems, Inc.

mark.carpenter_at_caldera.com

Jim Strickland wrote:

> Yeah, Caldera Linux sells for about $50 with the promise of tech support.
>
> Don't believe it.
>
> Their e-mail tech support is a sorry joke. The responders don't KNOW anything,
> and most of the time they don't bother responding at all. Plus the distribution
> is based on Red Hat, which means *nothing* is where it belongs if you're used
> to BSDish unix. What this means is if you have older software (say, an older
> version of Elm) that is pre-redhat it probably won't compile at all.
>
> If I had known then what I know now about Caldera, I would have ordered the
> latest and greatest Slackware cd from Walnut Creek CDROMS, and gone from there.
>
> So I'm basically saying DON'T BOTHER WITH CALDERA LINUX. It's far overpriced
> and the only redeming feature, the tech support is all promise and no substance.
>
> I strongly recommend Slackware Linux. No support, but for 35 bucks you get
> 4 CDs of stuff, and a cool catalog with things like CDROMS of the project
> gutenburg texts.
> --
> Jim Strickland
> jim_at_DIESPAMMERSCUMcalico.litterbox.com
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Vote Meadocrat! Bill and Opus in 2000 - Who ELSE is there?
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------

--
Caldera Systems, Inc.
Technical Support Team
http://www.caldera.com
Received on Fri Oct 23 1998 - 14:06:07 BST

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