Topic: Installing Gnome on SME 7.4

[cactus]

I used to admin NOVELL Netware servers before I moved to Linux and KNOW the GUI isn't necessary.
I really don't like the way M$ has made people think they "needed" a GUI on their server.

Yep, they are so big that they set the standards...

Off to Fedora country I go. That's the distro I've used since Redhat 7 days.

Depending on the purpose, but most of the times I would not advice Fedora to be used in a business environment, mailny because of it's release cycle and lack of long term support (AFAIK only four releases, which means 2 years back).

Fedora is more geared towards features and quick hardware support, but since you seem to be installing a server I advice you to take RedHat or CentOS as they are geared towards stability and do have LTS. They are a bit more conservative on the hardware support, but proper intel based machines are well supported.

For your GUI I would then install webmin, which makes it possible to administer almost everything on your server (but again though a webinterface).

So compare distributions and their goals before you choose one and have a look for webmin, but my advice would be to go for RedHat or CentOS over Fedora. Good luck!

[johnp]

Bert

I COULD give a full run down on the customer, and all the PERSON related dynamics. The thing is I don't have to justify the decision to the forum.

It's my company, my customer, and my decision.

I couldn't agree more. I do hope my comment didn't promote a need for justification as that was not my intent. I stubbornly support many causes, SME being one of them. I also tend to go overboard in such pursuits.

Sir Terry Matthews surely saw some value when he acquired e-smith in 2001.

I'm certain you will find creative solutions to address you customers' needs.

[Bert Rolston]

Hi all,

Thanks again for the information.

Perhaps I could have been more specific in my original request.

I installed and currently use an SME server on my network with the HORDE contribs installed.
So I am aware of the what SME server has and doesn't have in the form of User Interfaces.

This is an installation that has been on hold pending the answers regarding Gnome.
I needed technical information as to the feasibility of installing Gnome on SME.
Daniel provided the necessary information.

I appreciate the forum members enthusiasm, which bodes well for this distro.
Unfortunately as previously discussed, I needed a solution that meets the needs of my customer NOW and in this case SME won't work (in the short term).

I have other customers which I would not hesitate to install SME, BECAUSE I have developed the relationship.

In this case that doesn't exist yet.

As for Fedora, I've used it for years and am fully aware of the rapid development cycle.
However I will consider CentOS given it's lineage.

I started this company with NZ$46 capital and have a 6 figure turnover after 2 years. It doesn't leave me much time for product research, so I have stuck to the products I know IE Fedora.

I look forward to many more posts on this forum, but right now I have a customer to satisfy BEFORE I lose them.

Regards,
Bert

[cactus]

As for Fedora, I've used it for years and am fully aware of the rapid development cycle.
However I will consider CentOS given it's lineage.

I started this company with NZ$46 capital and have a 6 figure turnover after 2 years. It doesn't leave me much time for product research, so I have stuck to the products I know IE Fedora.

They are very similar as they both are RedHat Enterprise Linux decendants IIRC, only geared to a different audience. On top off that CentOS is the mother distro of SME Server.

I look forward to many more posts on this forum, but right now I have a customer to satisfy BEFORE I lose them.

Go hurry then!

[Elliott]

I'm a little surprised nobody suggested installing CentOS (or any GUI based distro he's comfortable with) and then running a virtualized SME within it.

The customer would have a gui (albeit via a bit of trickery) and then the web browser would be configured to use https://localhost/server-manager/ as it's home page.

A few more hoops to jump through for initial setup (i.e. extra NICs and virtual OS config) but then he gets to give them this excellent tool and their gui needs are fulfilled...

...unless they actually see through the shroud that is.

 

-Elliott