PPC Linux Distro Comparisons

acaben writes: "At MacSlash we've got a story about the differences between the different distros of Linux available for PowerPC architecture. We've invited developers of each version to stop by and respond to comments, and already the debate is raging." Considering the power of Apple's newest hardware, this is an especially interesting topic; readers are weighing in about ease of use, hardware support and other things. I wonder when Web pages devoted to Linux on The G4 Cube will start showing up! :)

Comments

Re:LinuxPPC and BSD

[Frymaster]

I'll just wait for OpenBSD PPC

you shouldn't. Apparently the obsd guys can't get the apple firmware to run elf executables. That means lots o stuff will have to be a.out and that's no fun.

On the other hand, if you still have that Quadra, you can run obsd on that. Any m68k mac will run it except for those based on the 68LC040 processor. And don't ask theo if a port for that is forthcoming or you'll be subjected to his 20 minute tirade about how to do a chip transplant with a soldering gun a can of air and a roll of masking tape. I kid you not.

NewWord ROM's

[11223]

One hot topic in Linux for PPC today is the Mac on Linux emulator - my question is "What's the license on the NewWorld ROM file you need to download to use the software?" If Apple lets people distribute the NewWorld ROM, wouldn't it be possible to write a Mac emulator simply by booting up a Linux kernel (screw that, boot up a Mach kernel) and then load an emulator? Supposedly this software works on any CHRP/PREP architecture - has anybody had any luck working this thing on a CHRP architecture like the BeBox?

Secondly, now that MacOSX is almost here, wouldn't it be possible to engineer a peice of PPC hardware so that it boots Darwin, and then shouldn't MacOSX work fine from there? What's to stop a new clone manufacturer?

Re:De Colores

[crayz]

he's mentioning that it's a beige G3, because Apple calls all their PowerMac products the same damn thing. in fall '97 they released:

PowerMac G3 and the
PowerMac G3

then in January '99, they released the
PowerMac G3

The first "PowerMac G3" was a beige color desktop machine.

the second was a beige colored minitower machine

the third was a Blue and white colored minitower

for that reason, when talking about their G3, they try to specify exactly what system they have(there was also a rev 1 and rev 2 of each, which Mac users sometimes mention).

the same is true for other product lines too. people who get the new G4s are calling them gigabit G4s, or MP G4s. people with different revisions of PowerBooks refer to their size or weight, or the color of their keyboard. iMac users generally tell you what revision they were, as we had Rev a, b, c, and d, and then iMac DV, etc.

it might work better if Apple named their machines with numbers like they used to, but for now, just understand that when I say I have a Blue G3/300, I'm not trying to boast about my pretty case