General Linux Chat and Small Questions v. Year of the Linux Desktop! - Hardware & Software

Pi2, shit's supported, unlike a hell of a lot of other options.

[QUOTE=nikomo;49586427]Pi2, shit's supported, unlike a hell of a lot of other options.[/QUOTE] Remote programming work? I'm pretty sure that's supported by everything that has a communication channel of any sort and a processor.

You never know what kind of strange hardware problems you end up running into, with the cheaper Chinese boards. Some of them are decent, a large part of them got shat out onto the market and the support died two months after sales started because the team disbanded.

On the topic of ARM boards, why do I need to download a specific OS image for it instead of just downloading an ISO installer like I would on x86?

[QUOTE=Adam.GameDev;49586800]On the topic of ARM boards, why do I need to download a specific OS image for it instead of just downloading an ISO installer like I would on x86?[/QUOTE] ARM embedded boards don't have BIOS/UEFI, So they only boot in a specific way that's rarely standardized from board to board.

[QUOTE=Adam.GameDev;49586800]On the topic of ARM boards, why do I need to download a specific OS image for it instead of just downloading an ISO installer like I would on x86?[/QUOTE] Several issues. First one is as mentioned, boot. That is also the most important issue, and I won't mention others right now. Basically, there's really no standard way of booting from these devices. Not even in the hardware. Hell, the RPi series boards boot using GPU firmware that loads the SD card boot sector. But since there's no BIOS system on the boards (which there shouldn't be, really), there's no standardized way of doing the booting. For most, they do boot in mostly the same way from the SD cards. There's a project trying to support a lot of boards with a simple boot loader, called uboot. A list of supported, and to be supported, boards and systems are listed here: [url]http://git.denx.de/?p=u-boot.git;a=tree;f=board;h=5c874662d7a6c1876ac52f364daf6b20f9e52ca5;hb=HEAD[/url]

Don't the ARMv8 boards use EFI?

There is absolutely no requirement for EFI to be used in any spec that any ARM boardmaker would have to follow. EFI's really bloody bloated for that use case, anyways. Personally, I haven't seen a single board use EFI, but I haven't really paid attention.

[QUOTE=Adam.GameDev;49589742]Don't the ARMv8 boards use EFI?[/QUOTE] That would be a huge waste. I mean even a modern BIOS would be overkill. Something like Coreboot or Libreboot and a slim SeaBIOS would be plenty. With coreboot you'd also be able to use uboot as a payload, but that's missing the point.

Is there a specific brand that makes wireless adapters that work good with Linux? idc whether it's PCI or USB. Preferably free, but it's not a deal-breaker.

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;49591474]Is there a specific brand that makes wireless adapters that work good with Linux? idc whether it's PCI or USB. Preferably free, but it's not a deal-breaker.[/QUOTE] It's not about the manufacturer of the adapter, more the model of the wireless chipset used within.

[QUOTE=Van-man;49591739]It's not about the manufacturer of the adapter, more the model of the wireless chipset used within.[/QUOTE] Ah, alright. I found this list [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_wireless_drivers[/url] I'll probably just head to the store and check a couple against that list

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;49591899]Ah, alright. I found this list [url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_wireless_drivers[/url] I'll probably just head to the store and check a couple against that list[/QUOTE] Alternatively: [url]http://elinux.org/RPi_USB_Wi-Fi_Adapters[/url] Even tho it originated as a List for Raspbian, it should also be valid for other Linux Distros

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;49591474]Is there a specific brand that makes wireless adapters that work good with Linux? idc whether it's PCI or USB. Preferably free, but it's not a deal-breaker.[/QUOTE] As has been mentioned, it's not so much about the brand, but more about the chipset. Broadcom are usually bullshit, although they've improved quite a lot. There's quite a few good ones out there though. TP-LINK is one of the brands I like, because so far they've worked flawlessly regardless of what product I've used. 300Mbit 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz support on open source drivers is amazing. However, if you're browsing around and find something you like, I can [b]highly[/b] recommend looking it up on [url]https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Main_Page[/url]

[QUOTE=mastersrp;49593253]As has been mentioned, it's not so much about the brand, but more about the chipset. Broadcom are usually bullshit, although they've improved quite a lot. There's quite a few good ones out there though. TP-LINK is one of the brands I like, because so far they've worked flawlessly regardless of what product I've used. 300Mbit 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz support on open source drivers is amazing. However, if you're browsing around and find something you like, I can [B]highly[/B] recommend looking it up on [URL]https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Main_Page[/URL][/QUOTE] very useful link, thank you I'll probably get either this [URL]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SZEOLG?tag=wiki085-20[/URL] or [URL]http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN851ND-Wireless-Adapter-Low-profile/dp/B005NHIQ06[/URL] Both appear well supported, I'll go for the PCI most likely, since I don't really need that PCI slot but can use more USB ports. The brick & mortar stores I tried had only netgear and linksys adapters, according to the internet, none of them would likely work.

[QUOTE=nikomo;49586427]Pi2, shit's supported, unlike a hell of a lot of other options.[/QUOTE] The Pi was the first thing I looked at, but I would probably prefer something with on-board storage, and maybe some more performance. The BeagleBoard X-15 is appealing to me. That's more what I'm looking for... it's just kinda expensive. [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] Maybe something like the BeagleBone Black? I'd like to have on-board audio though... (not through HDMI)

[QUOTE=thelurker1234;49593743]very useful link, thank you I'll probably get either this [URL]http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SZEOLG?tag=wiki085-20[/URL] or [URL]http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WN851ND-Wireless-Adapter-Low-profile/dp/B005NHIQ06[/URL] Both appear well supported, I'll go for the PCI most likely, since I don't really need that PCI slot but can use more USB ports. The brick & mortar stores I tried had only netgear and linksys adapters, according to the internet, none of them would likely work.[/QUOTE] If you want to go the TP-LINK way, I can highly recommend the following: [url]http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN3200-Wireless-Adapter-One-Button/dp/B007ZWL1ZE[/url] It's what I use. Cheap, and supports 300Mbit on both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. I'm pretty sure there's better stuff out there though, but it's all about looking around. There's also Linksys adapters that work pretty well, but I haven't really done my research on those so I can't truthfully recommend them. [editline]24th January 2016[/editline] Wikidevi page for the above device: [url]https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_TL-WDN3200[/url]

[QUOTE=rilez;49593978]The Pi was the first thing I looked at, but I would probably prefer something with on-board storage, and maybe some more performance. The BeagleBoard X-15 is appealing to me. That's more what I'm looking for... it's just kinda expensive. [editline]23rd January 2016[/editline] Maybe something like the BeagleBone Black? I'd like to have on-board audio though... (not through HDMI)[/QUOTE] I'd say the O-droid C1+, and a eMMC module with the capacity you want. Those eMMC modules are literally those on-board storage IC's, except on a socketed expansion board instead of soldered directly on-board. Both the eMMC socket and MicroSD card socket is on the bottom of the C1+

[QUOTE=mastersrp;49595991]If you want to go the TP-LINK way, I can highly recommend the following: [URL]http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN3200-Wireless-Adapter-One-Button/dp/B007ZWL1ZE[/URL] It's what I use. Cheap, and supports 300Mbit on both 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz. I'm pretty sure there's better stuff out there though, but it's all about looking around. There's also Linksys adapters that work pretty well, but I haven't really done my research on those so I can't truthfully recommend them. [editline]24th January 2016[/editline] Wikidevi page for the above device: [URL]https://wikidevi.com/wiki/TP-LINK_TL-WDN3200[/URL][/QUOTE] Already ordered it, and both appear to have drivers within the kernel so things should be good with either. I would have gotton one that supports wireless ac if I could find it and be guarenteed that it'd work but n will suffice. Better than both would be if I was able to use ethernet, but my house is really inconvenient. The glorious desktop ricing shall commence on Wednesday.

Switching from W7 to Arch Linux in the following weeks. What issues should I expect to run into?

[QUOTE=Monkah;49602037]Switching from W7 to Arch Linux in the following weeks. What issues should I expect to run into?[/QUOTE] When I used Arch, just about every time I updated my system, something broke. That's sometimes a side effect of being on the bleeding edge. If you don't absolutely need the newest version of every package, I would suggest a different distro. And remember that Linux on the desktop still kinda sucks. Video cards and wifi adapters and power settings don't always work without major tinkering. I've had pretty good luck with those things on Arch compared to other distros, but it's still something to be aware of.

I've never had a major problem with an Arch install. Whenever you do a full system update (pacman -Syyu) check their front-page to see if they broke or changed anything. For example, PHP 7 is now available, so they renamed some old packages and removed some others. It's all on the front page. Wireless can be annoying to setup. Use NetworkManager or something, unless you want to be annoyed. Make sure you sort through the mirror list, because the default usually isn't the best. Reflector can do that for you automatically. Follow every step of the beginners guide if you've never used Arch before

[QUOTE=darnok;49604012]When I used Arch, just about every time I updated my system, something broke. That's sometimes a side effect of being on the bleeding edge. [/QUOTE] Can confirm. Install Manjaro instead. Manjaro is basically Arch, but it doesn't break on every update, which quite honestly is [U][I]fucking brilliant[/I][/U].

The only times I experienced bad wireless support were only on old linux kernels. I don't think it's likely it will happen to any of you with arch, unless it's a new wifi chip. and about power managment, my linux chromebook is great with power consumption, can sleep for 4 days and when it's on I can run it for 10+ Hours and it's been great so far. about sleeping, hibernation: Never had issues with 2 linux laptops. always came back from sleep or hibernation. and general power consumption is something you should monitor with tools like powertop and debug these when you install on a laptop. Linux is just better at battery life than windows.

[QUOTE=Lyoko2;49604620]The only times I experienced bad wireless support were only on old linux kernels. I don't think it's likely it will happen to any of you with arch, unless it's a new wifi chip. and about power managment, my linux chromebook is great with power consumption, can sleep for 4 days and when it's on I can run it for 10+ Hours and it's been great so far. about sleeping, hibernation: Never had issues with 2 linux laptops. always came back from sleep or hibernation. and general power consumption is something you should monitor with tools like powertop and debug these when you install on a laptop. Linux is just better at battery life than windows.[/QUOTE] You've never used a broadcom chip?

[QUOTE=mastersrp;49605019]You've never used a brokencom chip?[/QUOTE] Ftfy

[QUOTE=rilez;49604111]I've never had a major problem with an Arch install.[/QUOTE] Is that just a sidenote or your actual argument stating that arch will never break when you [I]pacman -Syu[/I] and then restart your system? Arch' stability with updates is a well known and document aspect of it: [quote]You have to be on guard every time you update your system, you have to follow the mailing list and there is a good chance you have to fix something after the update.[/quote] Sometimes shit just breaks if you don't pay attention: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/filesystem-upgrade-manual-intervention-required-1/[/url] Sometimes it won't update: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/java-users-manual-intervention-required-before-upgrade/[/url] [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/binaries-move-to-usrbin-requiring-update-intervention/[/url] And sometimes the mailing lists say nothing and you update and shit is still broken: [url]https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=175660[/url] [url]https://www.reddit.com/r/archlinux/comments/1v6o2x/arch_hangs_while_booting_after_last_nights_update/[/url] I've had Arch break multiple times on [I]pacman -Syu[/I], and so have many, [I]many[/I] other people. Even when the mailing list/Arch blog says nothing, the chance of an update breaking your system is pretty high. There's a reason why Manjaro holds back packages for a couple of weeks. It would have [B][I]no[/I][/B] reason to do that if Arch itself was stable enough.

[QUOTE=FPtje;49605113]Is that just a sidenote or your actual argument stating that arch will never break when you [I]pacman -Syu[/I] and then restart your system? Arch' stability with updates is a well known and document aspect of it: Sometimes shit just breaks if you don't pay attention: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/filesystem-upgrade-manual-intervention-required-1/[/url] Sometimes it won't update: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/java-users-manual-intervention-required-before-upgrade/[/url] [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/binaries-move-to-usrbin-requiring-update-intervention/[/url] And sometimes the mailing lists say nothing and you update and shit is still broken: [url]https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=175660[/url] [url]https://www.reddit.com/r/archlinux/comments/1v6o2x/arch_hangs_while_booting_after_last_nights_update/[/url] I've had Arch break multiple times on [I]pacman -Syu[/I], and so have many, [I]many[/I] other people. Even when the mailing list/Arch blog says nothing, the chance of an update breaking your system is pretty high. There's a reason why Manjaro holds back packages for a couple of weeks. It would have [B][I]no[/I][/B] reason to do that if Arch itself was stable enough.[/QUOTE] Sounds like Arch needs a "stable" repo in lieu of Debian Stable. Because when Debian says stable, they damn well mean it.

[QUOTE=FPtje;49605113]Is that just a sidenote or your actual argument stating that arch will never break when you [I]pacman -Syu[/I] and then restart your system? Arch' stability with updates is a well known and document aspect of it: Sometimes shit just breaks if you don't pay attention: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/filesystem-upgrade-manual-intervention-required-1/[/url] Sometimes it won't update: [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/java-users-manual-intervention-required-before-upgrade/[/url] [url]https://www.archlinux.org/news/binaries-move-to-usrbin-requiring-update-intervention/[/url] And sometimes the mailing lists say nothing and you update and shit is still broken: [url]https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=175660[/url] [url]https://www.reddit.com/r/archlinux/comments/1v6o2x/arch_hangs_while_booting_after_last_nights_update/[/url] I've had Arch break multiple times on [I]pacman -Syu[/I], and so have many, [I]many[/I] other people. Even when the mailing list/Arch blog says nothing, the chance of an update breaking your system is pretty high. There's a reason why Manjaro holds back packages for a couple of weeks. It would have [B][I]no[/I][/B] reason to do that if Arch itself was stable enough.[/QUOTE] Really any rolling release distro will have issues somewhat like these, to a certain point. I mean, arguably, any non-atomic-transaction distribution will, to some extend, have some of these problems. Ubuntu LTS Servers have these issues from time to time, Debian probably too in some cases, and so on. This is probably more of an issue with how package management and upgrading is handled in Linux distributions. Not that anyone else is doing it in a better way, however Nix and Guix have some pretty good ideas. [editline]25th January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Van-man;49605127]Sounds like Arch needs a "stable" repo in lieu of Debian Stable. Because when Debian says stable, they damn well mean it.[/QUOTE] That's true. But then your system is no longer supported, and it's time to upgrade, and that one package broke your entire install configuration and now binds on port 80 due to some forgotten configuration change you did 8 years ago. Now that's quite an edge case, but it doesn't have to be. These issues are very prominent and real in the hosting industry.

[QUOTE=FPtje;49605113]Is that just a sidenote or your actual argument stating that arch will never break when you [I]pacman -Syu[/I] and then restart your system?.[/QUOTE] No, just my personal experience. One time I had a problem verifying boohomil's GPG key. And another time a PulseAudio update changed my default output device, and wouldn't let me default back to the original output without reinstalling PulseAudio. I've never had an update "break everything" and leave my system totally unusable [editline]25th January 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Van-man;49605127]Sounds like Arch needs a "stable" repo in lieu of Debian Stable. Because when Debian says stable, they damn well mean it.[/QUOTE] If you want 100% stability, you probably shouldn't be using any rolling distro at all...