Very Computer

I'm looking for a new computer to run Debian 2.1 on.
Thanks to the linux NGs, I have been warned about WinModems
and their clones. Are there any other potential problems
to be wary of when buying a new machine?
Video drivers? Printers? Mice? Tape (or other) backup
systems?

Many thanks!

David

Hi,

I am not completely up-to-date with the things. A cause of trouble to avoid:
You should make sure the printer is no GDI printer. GDI printers are
"WinPrinters". They work with Windows only.
I have no idea about parallel ZIP drives, they used to be troublesome some
time ago. USB devices might be still problematic ...

Regards,

Kerstin

--

Check the hardware compatibility list for your favorite distribution, if
you're unsure.

Quote:> Video drivers?

All systems should support text-mode consoles, which is all you need for
a server.

All systems should support VGA mode graphics, which will get you a
minimal X environment.

For more advanced graphics support, check the list at
http://www.xfree86.org/.  XFree86 is the X system most distributions
include.  (Note that not all distributions may have the latest version
of XFree86.  So also check your distribution's list.)

Quote:> Printers?

Most printers today are compaible with one or more standards:

- PostScript - works great

- Epson ESC/P2 - used by most Epson ink jets.  Works well for most
                 models, although the color mappings are not 100%
                 accurate for some models.

- HP PCL - used by HP ink jets and laser printers.  Works well.

Check your distribution's hardware list to be sure.

Avoid anything that's advertised as a "windows only" device.  These
"winprinters" will not work on any OS other than Windows.  One way to
tell if you're not sure is to see if the printer supports any
non-Windows operating system (like DOS, OS/2, Linux, or MacOS).

Quote:> Mice?

Anything should work.  If you've got a PS/2-style mouse port, I
recommend you get a mouse that uses it.  Otherwise, serial mice work
too.  There are generally 3 standards: Microsoft, Logitech, and
MouseSystems.  All mice I've seen (including generics) conform to one of
these three standards.  If you're not sure, try all three until you find
out which one works.

Quote:> Tape (or other) backup systems?

If you get a SCSI or ATAPI drive that fully conforms to SCSI-2 or ATAPI
standards, there shouldn't be any problem.  (I've used SCSI-based DAT,
DC-600 and Travan drives with no problems.)

Some drives don't fully conform to these standards, however.  You may
get only limited functionality out of them.  If you're not sure, ask the
manufacturer and buy from a vendor with a satisfaction-guaranteed return
policy, just in case there's a problem.

Floppy-drive and parallel-port drives may or may not be supported.  I
don't think there's a universal standard for such drives, so you'll have
to make sure an appropriate driver exists.  Check your distribution's
hardware compatibility list.

-- David

Parallel Zip drives are SCSI drives with an on-board SCSI-parallel host
adapter.  Older models of the drive use the PPA module.  Newer ones use
the IMM module.  Once the appropriate module is installed, Linux can
recognize the SCSI adapter in the drive and assign the drive to a
/dev/sd? device.  You should be able to treat it as a SCSI drive.

Quote:> USB devices might be still problematic ...

AFAIK, USB support in Linux is still in beta.  Once it is completed, I
think support will be generic, like it is on other USB platforms (Win98
and MacOS.)

-- David