| From: | Patrick Roberts |
| Date: | 8 Aug 2000 at 03:26:05 |
| Subject: | AMIOPEN: Windows SDK buzz (addressing issues) |
Long message so here's the contents:
* Preface and mail
* Dual Boot Systems/Booting Linux from a Jaz
* Using an ADSL modem
* Help Getting Linux
* G400 Dual-headed drivers
* NTFS read/write
> Can someone tell me (in a couple of lines) why everyone is so
> interested in a Windows version of the SDK? (Why not just dual-boot
> your Windows system?
The responses to my question were not what I was expecting. I
though it was more to attract Windows users. Personally I
can't wait until I can run the new AmigaOS native, but I don't
mind it under Linux (Windows would have been just fine with me
as well though.)
I know how anxious I was to get the SDK up and running and
luckily I had some Linux experience. Maybe we can all put
together a help faq addressing these issues so other can, until
the Windows version comes out, get up and runnng. If anyone
would like to reply, I can compile the information into one
file and up it up on the Amiga faq-o-matic.
I've put a few things up on the amiga.org SDK Programming
issues forum, but here's what I can help with from the
issues raised in the replies:
(Note: Not avocating Linux over Windows...just trying to help
those waiting for the Windows version to use the Linux one)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Dual-booting is not for the faint hearted, one wrong keypress and you wipe
the hard-disk.
This is true... plus if you have to repartition it's a nightmare.
I've posted how to set up a dual boot system with WindowsNT on
the Amiga.org forums. If you want an easier approach, there is
some software called System Commander that will set it all up for
you.
http://www.v-com.com/products/scd.html
I've never used it, but a friend says it's really easy and good.
...but...
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO REPARTITION AND WANT AS LITTLE IMPACT ON YOUR WINDOWS
SYSTEM AS POSSIBLE, AND DON'T MIND BOOTING FROM A FLOPPY:
Install Linux to a removeable drive, like an Orb or Jaz, or old spare HD you
have laying around and boot from it using a Linux boot floppy. (The RH install
will ask if you want to create a boot floppy during installation)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) ...a lot of the main complaints are about the lack of drivers (ADSL/ISDN
mostly it seems).
I have no problems with my ADSL modem under Linux, but it is an external
10base-T type (are there internal ones?). If your ISP uses (god forbid) PPPoE
or PPTP, something like a Linksys home router will bridge the protocal for your
linux box (this is what I use).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Linux isn't very easy to get hold of in some places.
I was suprised to read this. Just out of curiosity, where and why?
Seeing as it can be redistributed for free, and 6.1 is no longer sold, I'd like
to see Amiga include the 6.1 RH Linux dist with the SDK. Until then- here's
some help where to get RH Linux free or almost free
ftp.redhat.com (or mirror)
Redhat has both ISO images and an install base on their FTP site. It is
perfectly legal to download and install RH for free. If you want to install
over the internet, download the network install floppy image and it will
install what you need directly from their FTP site.
ebay.com
There are lots of people who have downloaded the RH ISO and burned a CD that
will sell it for about $5 to $8 (US). This is perfectly legal. Some will ship
internationally.
www.amazon.com
They have both RH official releases and books that include copies of linux
(Like Linux for Dummies). They will ship internationally (but it's a bit
expensive).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) No Linux support for dual monitor for my G400 Max
Both Xig and Metro-X have support for the G400 DH. I hear that the
Xig driver is very good, but it's a bit more expensive. I believe that both
have hardware accel. OpenGL Mesa libs as well.
http://www.xig.com/
http://www.metrolink.com/
XFree86 4.0 also has support for the G400 DH, but I don't know if there
are any issues with the Amiga SDK. (3.3.6 is included in the current RH 6.2
Linux dist)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3) No support to read/write NTFS under Linux, I'm losing 100+ gigs of
space when I boot to Linux.
You can read NTSF (safely), but you have to load the kernel module.
Type 'insmod ntfs'. NTFS write support is still in beta. If you need to share
files both directions, you could use a FAT partition.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Loss of alot of my other cool cards in Linux, USB, Firewire,
VTNT all which can put to use in writing real applications.
Yes, this sucks. I have no audio under Linux. Hopefully when the
OS goes native this won't be such a problem.
USB: USB will be fully supported under the next kernel revision (2.4). You can
download and use the current 2.3 kernel, which is the beta of the upcoming
2.4. I needed USB camera support for a system about a year ago and the beta
kernel worked fine.
FIREWIRE: Same as USB
VTNT: See www.xig.com and/or www.metrolink.com for TNT drivers
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this helps out :) I'm by no means a linux guru, but I've had to go
through the pain of setting up a few Linux systems (back before there was a
"friendly" install and config). If anyone else is having problems with Linux
I'd be happy to see if I could help them out. (I know Linux is still by no
means user friendly.)
-Pat
Artix Software
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