I’ve been a Linux enthusiast for about a decade. Enough so to be able to get it running at home for various things, and be the one guy on a java/web development team to be able to have a somewhat in-depth convo with the server admins. Recently I’ve put together another server’s worth of hardware to host several services, mainly a JEE app server and DB. It’s certainly not new hardware (Athlon 2500++) but it’s easily the strongest hardware I’ve ever had in a Linux server. I chose to use Ubuntu Server but, admittedly, without a real strong reason. Ubuntu Desktop had just treated me well, and I’d heard a few good recommendations about it.
So you might be asking, why is this guy saying Linux is so cool? Well, it’s not gonna be anything new to those already familiar with Linux or who’ve heard those Linux-heads spouting their love for it. That is, that with some 4 year old hardware (and older in the case of a few pieces,) a few hours of work, and a bunch of FREE (as in I haven’t paid a freaking dime) software I now have a web server (apache), a code repository (SVN/webSVN), a relational database (mysql), a JEE appserver (glassfish v2), an SSH server (openSSH), as well as a bunch of other tools I don’t have a use for yet. And, imagine that, it’s secure to boot. I don’t think that is something someone is likely to setup as quickly and cheaply with M$ based stuff. And it would be even more unlikely if Linux hadn’t come along to challenge them.
While that alone makes Linux pretty cool, Barry and I have also learned a cool new use for the ssh server. That is as a SOCKS proxy for web browsing, IRC, and more secure administration of the DB server. This comes in handy when wanting at least the smallest semblence of security when wifi-ing at conferences, restaurants, etc. And again, very little work and absolutely no cash involved. SWEET!
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