EMC, Linux, RTlinux, General Questions

>Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2000 20:28:46 -0000
>From: "Wally K" <cnc4me@...>

>I was wondering why the EMC, Linux, and RTlinux combo uses redhat
>5.2... I was looking over the linux 5.2 hardware compatability list
>and the IDE controllors look a little dated. I get the impression
>that only IDE ATA33 controlors are supported. Also video cards are
>a little old. As i would be building a system from scratch i would
>prefer not to start by building an obsolete system.

Yes you can use the newer Linux kernels but as Tim notes you will have
some more effort involved in setting it up. Also as noted by Terry, there
is a reliability price to pay.

I use the Mandrake 7.0 and have a system that is rather stable and does
the job. It also provides good access to many of the newer features of
the 2.2.14 kernel and associated kde and gnome software -- all obsolete by
now. You can see how I installed mine, with notes from several others on
the linuxcnc.org/handbook site.

But I also have RH-5.2 on the same machine and it is faster and more
stable. Almost ay inexpensive starter kit with socket seven or 370 chip
support and a 500 meg proc will load up and run. You may not be able to
use the onboard nic or net but for a couple hundred bucks you wouldn't
loose much. Just dedicate it to the EMC.

That is if you want to make chips. Now if you really want to push the
edges and be a developer, contact me off list. I can get a gig athlon kit
for ~ 375 -- been thinking about it.

Ray