Quick poll

[Michael Hipp]

David A. Bandel wrote:
> 1.  How many of you run servers (vice desktops)?

Y

> 2.  How many servers? (1, 2-10, more than 10)?

 >10

> 3.  How many are headless?

All but one.

> 4.  How many run X (headless or not)?

Only one.

> 5.  How did you install them?

Local text install from CD.

The one with X was installed with GUI installer from CD - but that was a long 
time ago and I just haven't gotten around to reinstalling it properly.

> 6.  Did you d/l all the CDs/DVD.  If so, what percentage of programs
> did you install?

Ubuntu has only one CD - the way it should be IMHO. I install the minimum 
necessary to have a functional and manageable server (root is usually a 3GB 
partition with plenty of room to spare).

> What I'm looking at here is how odd am I?

<IMHO>
Text mode install is the only sane option.
But I think you're nuts or masochistic or something for going thru all the 
uber complexity of attempting a network install. Pop in the one CD, click thru 
the text installer, reboot and move on to the next project.
</IMHO>

> I'm afraid I fail to see the sense behind installing servers with X.
> I also see little sense in burning a DVD just to throw it away after 1
> install and d/l a newer one 2 weeks later for another install.

This topic comes up about once a month on the ubuntu-server list. The 
conclusion is always the same...

X doesn't belong on a server. If it runs X it isn't a server. That's not an 
opinion, it's a definition. Even MS is beginning to wise up to such (so it 
*must* be true.)

A CD-R disc costs approximately nothing even in worthless US dollars. The 
hassle of burning the disc has to be endured only once every 6 months but is 
reusable many times (and the total efforts consists of about one full minute 
of actual work then do something else while the disc burns). Versus the head 
banging complexity of trying to get all the Goldilocks to line up to make 
network install work.

   Simple is better than complex.
   Complex is better than complicated.
     (from The Zen of Python)

> Perhaps there are just too many who've started their training on M$
> and can't deal with non-graphical, non-local installs.

You're describing me. But even in my late 40s I am still teachable. Whether 
that could be said of your average MSCE is doubtful.

Michael