[LINK] RFI: Cross-Media Publishing under Linux/OO

[Phillip Musumeci]

On Mon, Aug 08, 2011 at 01:28:27PM +1000, Roger Clarke wrote:

> > 3.  I don't want to use OSX as my host-OS, because it will become
> > less like an OS and more like a vehicle for Apple's ownership of
> > everything the device does and stores.  And of course I wouldn't
> > touch Windows.
> >
> > 4.  I gather that there are no stripped-down OS designed specifically
> > to operate as the host-OS for existing user-oriented OS (i.e. Win
> > family, OSX family, Linux family).  But I also gather that there are
> > some stripped-down host-OS for servers - which I understand are
> > Linux-based.
> >
> > 5.  So there seem to be two possibilities:
> > -   run a server host-OS on what is essentially a user device.
> >      This would demand expertise and effort, and incur overhead
> > -   run Linux, and the best available VM, and OSX and Win under that



Maybe a compromise is to minimise future transition pain but retain an
ability to keep using OSX for the period it remains OK to use.  That is,
minimise the apple specific components but use hardware and software that is
compatible with the unix/linux world.  Example: separate external screen, an
external disk enclosure or a "netapp" style RAID file server, and a mac mini
(the only apple specific item).

If OSX continues on, you keep the benefits of a robust UNIX with a BSD api
layer and mac ports (LaTeX, lyx, etc.), can transition to apple-independent
tools like openoffice/libreoffice, maybe consider commercial publication
tools, and digital gadgets are handled.  If OSX becomes unacceptable later,
every application built with mac ports will almost certainly be available in
the linux package system or some other *BSD ports system, and apps like
openoffice/libreoffice will also be available.  The mac mini is likely to be
able to boot a different OS as well.

BTW I personally find this works well as a way to get a cheap BSD
environment: lectures are written in latex/lyx, most "office" type stuff can
be handled in openoffice, there is an embedded backups system, and I get to
work in a UNIX environment that seems robust and is maintained by others
(mac ports is easier to manage than the BSD ports system it came from, and
paying <=A$30/year for full OS releases seems a cheap way to get OS
maintenance).  The latest mac mini's also have good connectivity options and
some graphics hardware but the latter is nothing fancy, helping to keep
starting prices at roughly $700.

Cheers,
phillip


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