Xarg blog Archive

I recently did to installs here, Windows XP (since bit rot had afflicted the windows ME install on the kids machine and it would not stay up for more than a few hours at a time), and Debian + Oracle since the hard drive on my db machine died. I expected Windows to install smoothly and I expected oracle + debian to be the usual eyeball stabbing fun (especially since I had not installed either debian or 9i before).

In a shocking turn of events the Debian install was easy, Oracle was the same as it always is, and the XP install was a hellish nightmare with me having to update the BIOS, pull out all the cards but the video card, and fiddle with memory before it would allow itself to install on the box (and I still am not sure what the problem was). I think Windows ultimate downfall will be it's increasingly annoying attempts to control the platform (with registration, DRM, hardware requirements, etc) while open source platforms like Debian will continue to get easier to use and more robust (and will support legacy hardware not stamped with the Windows logo). Anyway, I am pleased with Debian, although I might try out gentoo as well.