Re: How do I know if I want Linux

If I could get you to come setup my system for $10.00 / hr I just want to
know when you will start!!

Seriously, to me the main issues to look at with using Linux / EMC vs. a DOS
/ Windows controller product is the features it offers and not so much the
price. If I had to bill myself at the rate people pay me to work on their
systems and networks I would have about $1000 - $2000 invested into getting
the real time kernel set up and EMC running. That is a pretty high price if
you are considering just the dollars.

If you are just starting to mess with this CNC stuff and want to go the
stepper route or Camtronics servo amp based servo route I would suggest you
either use DanCAD which is free or DeskNC DOS version which is $60.00.
Either one is easy to use. DeskNC allows you to use real g-code and after
using both it is my suggestion of where to start. Once you have mastered the
basics of getting your machine to make a part with these programs you will
be in a much better position to decide if you need more functionality. These
programs will handle the basics just fine.

As far as EMC / Linux goes, I would only suggest it if you have used one of
the DOS / Windows programs and are now wanting to use the more advanced
g-codes that the basics don't support. The other reason to look at EMC is if
you are going the conventional servo route and need a program that can drive
them. In my mind when you consider that EMC is a real time controller and
that it supports a wide range of g-code I figure it would cost me at least a
couple thousand dollars to get a comparable controller system I feel it was
worth the effort to get on the band wagon.

I am no Linux / EMC or CNC guru, but that is my 2 cents worth.

Tim
[Denver, CO]

----- Original Message -----
From: <daveland@...>
To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 1999 6:19 PM
Subject: Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] How do I know if I want Linux


> From: daveland@...
>
> Don Wrote:
>
> >I have heard and seen here many messages from the Linux/EMC guru's here,
> >and with the amount of controller software for Windows systems, I am
> >having a hard time to seek a reason why I would need two O/S's.
> >
>
> Don...
> Windows Software can be expensive. Some people are just looking
> for a cheaper alternative. With Some CNC software costing
> upwards of $1000 it's easy to see how a 1GB partition on a hard
> drive to re-boot into linux and run EMC (which is free) is a
> cheaper alternative.
>
> For example:
> 1GB drive space (free if you have a big disk on your PC)
> Redhat linux 5.2 $30 with manuls $3 disk only.
> RT-Linux Free for download
> EMC Free for download
> -------------------------------------
> Total sofware cost= $30
>
> On the other hand....
>
> install Linux 1Hr X $10 per hour = $10
> Figure out install problems 6hr X $10 = $60
> Download and Install rt-linux 8hr x $10 = $80
> Figure out RT-linux problems 8hr x $10 = $80
> Install EMC ( just a guess) 6hr X $10 = $60
> Configure EMC (just a guess) 4hr X $10 = $40
>
> -----------------------------------------------------
> Total $330
>
> So If your time is valuable ( and you arn't into linux for
> the fun and education) then I don't see a BIG cost savings.
>
> Also You could easily spend a few weeks getting familiar with
> X windows and other linux stuff. Don't get me wrong... I am
> a great linux fan. But it is still software and software is
> full of details no matter who wrote it.
>
> Now the idea for a "rtlinux-EMC " ez install CD has merit.
> it could cut the install time significantly for a person who
> just wants to use EMC and RT-linux to cut metal. But it will
> only work if it is focused on the EMC task at hand and is
> not a general linux install. This means that you would still
> use your existing Windows OS for all your other functions
> and only use linux for the machining portion. You must reboot
> to switch between windows and linux, so it is a pain. But hey
> PC's are getting cheap too. Look for cheap Pentium 90 Mhz
> machines at computer shows. A lot of them are being dumped
> due to Y2K issues.
>
> In short it depends on your goals and pocket book. Also if
> you use your hobbies for education, I can recomend linux as
> a good way to learn more advanced computer concepts.
>
>
> Hope this helps
>
> dave
>
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