[CS-FSLUG] KPPP hangup

[Eduardo Sanchez]

On Tuesday 28 September 2004 19:56, Ruth Marlene Friesen wrote:
> >
> Sorry... this time it didn't work. I tried a number of things, 
including 
> my old routine a few times, and worked at it for an hour. Then, 
noticing 
> that the debug window for KPPP was talking about password in the 
> authentication message, I went back and even though my ID and password 
> were in place, I re-typed  the password. voila! After that it did go 
> through and I found myself online.
> 
> I wonder, was that a one-time thing, or will I just need to re-type 
the 
> password each time? I guess experience will tell.
> 
> At least I can proceed with my transition phases while I keep alert to 
> better ways to do this.

I concur with your appreciation. I really wish I could be there with 
your computer so I could see what's going on and give more exact 
advice. At least, I think the feelings on everyone in this list is that 
we're ready to help you in the best possible way and that's my feeling 
too :).

> By the way, Eduardo, when I clicked on some links in Konqueror on KDE 
I 
> found myself on a site with articles by you. Seems you are a published 
> authority on these topics!  <GRIN>

Thank you :). Not so much of an authority, though...

> 
> I notice you wrote several articles on Slackware, which raises another 
> question I've been thinking about. Maybe it's too soon for me to try 
out 
> other distros, but if I were to do that, which ones would be best? 
(any 
> one in the group may make suggestions) .

Ruth, I wrote about Slackware because there was a myth: that Slackware 
is only for the elite, that has no good tools for system 
administration, and that is better suited for servers and not for 
desktops. Additionally, I found a distinct lack of documentation. I 
thought that perhaps by writing down my experiences in dealing with the 
issues of setting Slackware as a desktop I could benefit others.

About your question, Ruth, I think it is a fair one. The distribution 
you're using (Mandrake) was my second Linux distribution, and I think 
overall it is the *best* one for a non-techie person. It obviously has 
issues; there are some things that perhaps this or that distribution 
does better, but on the balance Mandrake is the best one. Mandrake is a 
distribution that gives you great hand-holding while as a beginner, and 
*usually* does not try to stop you when you would like to dive a little 
bit deeper into Linux technical arcana.

My other two recommendations would be, in any order: Fedora Core, and 
SUSE. These are very good distributions, each in its own way. I used 
Fedora Cora way back when it was Red Hat Linux; I started my Linux walk 
with it. SUSE is also an excellent distro, and Fred and the other 
SUSErs here could tell you better about its advantages.

I could also recommend Slackware, but if you don't have a techie or 
experienced linux user near you, I would be very reluctant to do so. 
Read what I said in my Stealth Desktop Series, part I: Installation 
should be done by a techie, and not by the end-user. However, should 
you decide to use it, it could be a very rewarding and educational 
experience. Only remember, you will have far greater control over your 
machine with it, but at the price of lack of polish offered by other 
distros.

Thank you and blessings from the Lord,


Eduardo

-- 
Prof. Eduardo Sanchez
Asuncion, Paraguay, South America
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 THE TIGER
 
Tiger, tiger, burning bright    What the hammer?  what the chain?
In the forest of the night,    In what furnace was thy brain?
What immortal hand or eye    What the anvil? what dread grasp
Could Frame thy fearful symmetry?  Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

In what distant deeps or skies When the stars threw down their spears,
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?    And watered heaven with their tears,
On what wings dare he aspire?    Did he smile his work to see?
What the hand dare seize the fire? Did he who made the lamb make thee?
 
And what shoulder and what art		Tiger, tiger, burning bright
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?	In the forests of the night,
And, when thy heart began to beat,	What immortal hand or eye
What dread hand and what dread feet?	Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

	-- William Blake

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