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Other Migration Issues—Day 5
© Copyright Darrell Anderson.
In addition to my software cross-reference list, there are other migration issues I think about:
- Eventually I might network two computers in a mixed environment. However, I also have an old 486 with 16 MB of RAM that could be used as a gateway/router, but is that third box overkill? Some time ago I experimented with this option, but I need more RAM in the 486 box if I want caching. My bottleneck with connecting to the web is not an old 486 box, but my dial-up connection. Caching is important to me. Can I instead use a dedicated GNU/Linux box as both a workstation and a gateway/router for my NT4 box? If so, how much RAM should I add to such a box?
- If I forego networking and continue multi-booting, can I configure Squid for a stand-alone environment?
- I’ve protected my NT4 box with a firewall for many years, long before the idea became fashionable and a buzz word. However, I need a friendly front-end tool to configure IPTables.
- Will I be able to convert my backup batch files to bash scripts? Eventually, but my data is too precious to risk wild chances. In the short term, how do I backup my GNU/Linux configuration? Should I look for a dedicated backup program? The only method available to me right now is using Ghost to create partition images. I prefer batch file backups because restoring individual files is much easier and faster.
- Within a multi-booting environment, can I configure WINE or Crossover Office (CxO) to work with my as-is Word 97 installation or am I required to reinstall Word on my GNU/Linux side? That is, can I manually edit the WINE/CxO configuration files to point to my Windows partition instead of messing with another installation? I have the drive space to waste, but I’d rather not. Which registry values do I need to export and convert if I can run WINE/CxO in this manner? I’ve spent years customizing my Word environment. I’d rather export and convert various registry entries rather than try to recreate and imitate my existing Word environment.
- Will Thunderbird or KMail meet my needs or should I run Eudora on WINE or CxO? I do not want to commit to maintaining my email solely in GNU/Linux until I am satisfied my GNU/Linux box is stable and the firewall is configured correctly. Yet, if I commit to maintaining my email and web surfing from within GNU/Linux while I am still using Word 97, I then must always run two boxes or continually reboot. Do I want to do that? Or do I run Word 97 under WINE/CxO?
- Ever since leaving MS-DOS/Windows 3.11, I have been unable to use my old Northgate Omnikey Ultra-T software to automatically configure my trusted Ultra keyboard programmable functions keys. Daily I have to press that orange button. The software is DOS based and makes a direct call to hardware, something NT prohibits. Is there an old GNU/Linux hack lying around somewhere that does not need to run under a DOS emulator that can automatically configure my Omnikey keyboard at boot-up? What a hoot that would be!
- As I migrate, what is an appropriate way to store common data files? Although I am a single user of my computer, I prefer to use a multi-user philosophy in the way I configure and use my system. I want most of my data files available regardless of which login account or computer I use. I envision having more than one login account on my box—for testing purposes for example. Thus, those data files will be common to all “users.” I prefer to use my /home directory only for configuration files, not data files. Do I create a /pub directory somewhere? Create a separate partition for all data files? What is the traditional ’nix way to configure a shared data directory similar to the way I have created and use my Windows E: partition?
- How do I update software? I like the K Desktop Environment (KDE), but updates are frequent. Likewise, typical distros are updated every six to nine months. I am not one who must be on the bleeding or cutting edge. Stability is important. Yet, GNU/Linux is so relatively new to the market that frequent change is inevitable. Which distro do I select such that I am not locked in to a specific vendor and waiting for updates—updates that often are an all-in-one package deal? How do I update programs by myself?
- As a technical writer I would like to become more involved in the Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) movement. What tools do I need to learn to support documentation needs for FLOSS developers and vendors?
Although I have some general ideas, I do not yet possess definitive answers to these questions. However, there are some programs I have no idea how I will convert. For example, my el-cheapo Visioneer 3300 flat bed scanner is a parallel port scanner. The scanner is not on the SANE support list. I will have to continue using the scanner only in Windows, buy a new scanner, or hope I can run TWAIN software under WINE/CxO. I don’t mind booting to Windows to use the scanner because I am hardly a prolific user of the device. Still, that I cannot convert the scanner to GNU/Linux is irritating when good scanning support software is available. In the long run I don’t want to maintain two computers or two operating systems. Also, my hardware is first generation USB, not USB 2.0. Can I still use modern USB peripherals or will I need to find an older USB scanner listed on the SANE support list? I don’t know—NT4 never supported USB so I never was interested in USB devices.
Similarly, I have installed on Windows an old but working copy of Peterson’s Bird Guide. I doubt that program will run on WINE or CxO, but who knows, perhaps I will get lucky!
Finis.
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