Linux on a Mac?
Slashdot is probably a better place to ask but I figure it can't hurt here either. I am contemplating turning one of my macs into a linux box. Has anyone done this? I have two iMacs one G4 800MHz and a G3 600MHz both are basically sitting around collecting dust.
My main goal is Java (SE & EE) development with both WebSphere & Weblogic. So if you have switched a mac to linux how did it go? Were you able to do Java development? It is hard enough to do development on a Mac with the lack of 'typical' enterprise software tools available on the mac and I asking for trouble by going further out onto the bleeding edge with PPC Linux?
Your thoughts greatly appreciated
Thanks Sammy,
The reason is that many 'enteriprese' type tools are supported on linux but not on osx (Websphere for one). I have WebLogic running but I was not able to find anywhere that told me how to get Webshpere up and running. My thinking is that if I can install Websphere on a linux box I can probably tar it up and move it to osx and run it just fine. Other 'enterprise' type computing things face the same challenge (no osx support but linux support). I realize that non java stuff won't work but at least the vast majority of what I'm trying to run would work. Thoughts?
Posted by Bill Dudney on August 31, 2004 at 11:45 AM MDT #
Try to find Java for Linux on the Mac.... I don't think it exists. Then, if it did, try to get Websphere or Weblogic working. Good luck. You won't be developing any time soon, I'd bet.
I don't know of any reason to put Linux on a Mac. It already has a good unix for it. Why not use that?
Posted by No one on August 31, 2004 at 11:47 AM MDT #
Linux on a Mac is NOT Linux. When a vendor says they support Linux, they support Linux on a PC. There are very few exceptions.
Posted by No one on August 31, 2004 at 11:48 AM MDT #
http://www.yellowdoglinux.com is what I've heard people use when they're doing the madness that you're doing... (grin) Although "No One" does bring up a good point -- most of the RPMs are processor/i386 specific. I want to hear how your experience goes, but I don't ever want to do it myself... Cheers, -s
Posted by Scott Davis on August 31, 2004 at 12:41 PM MDT #
Too funny -- Yellow Dog is based out of Loveland, CO. You could probably hand carry your iMacs over to them and have them do the installation for you while you watch...
http://www.distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=yellow+dog
Posted by Scott Davis on August 31, 2004 at 12:47 PM MDT #
try gentoo linux (www.gentoo.org) I successfully installed on my powerbook G3 WallStreet. Java 1.4 runs on it fine too.
BTW I had debian woody installed on it too before.
Posted by Alex Greif on August 31, 2004 at 12:53 PM MDT #
Lookit you guys. What a life 8)
Posted by Chris Noe on September 01, 2004 at 07:26 PM MDT #