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I've been doing a lot of thinking about Linux lately, especially after my unsuccessful attempt at getting OS X to install on my WallStreet PowerBook, even with the assistance of my OS X-meister son (you can read all about it here).

Briefly in summary, for whatever reason, the PowerBook refuses to recognize the OS X install disk as a boot volume (it mounts OK to read and copy files).

And yes, we've tried every imaginable tweak to try and get it to boot, including connecting another SCSI CD-ROM drive externally and trying an OS X install disk known to have worked on another PowerBook. The destination partition is at the top level of the hard drive and smaller than 8 MB (a unique WallStreet 0S X restriction).

Anyway, this has been a somewhat frustrating exercise, although given the rather sluggish and cranky performance of OS X on Tristan's 333 MHz Lombard, I wasn't really expecting it to be more than an interesting sideshow on my 233 MHz Wall Street.

By coincidence, Xenia van Wedel of SuSE e-mailed me last week to ask if I would like to try out their new SuSE Linux 7.1 edition, which now ships with Samuel Rydh's Mac on Linux emulation software that serves is essentially the same function as Classic mode in OS X. I responded enthusiastically in the affirmative.

So I've been poring over the SuSE Linux manual (500 pages), trying to get a handle on what will be involved. The SuSE package is impressive, including the beautiful and thoroughly detailed print manual, and six CDs containing over 1500 bundled applications, all for a very friendly $49. I'm a fan of German stuff, and this has to be the Mercedes-Benz or BMW of Linux packages.

Of course, it's not installed yet. First I have to reformat my hard drive with some A/UX partitions that will support Linux, which means doing a global backup of my files and applications, and also configuring my UMAX S-900 as an alternate production machine to use while I am fooling around with the WallStreet.

I'm approaching the project carefully and systematically, by degrees, partly due to my production schedule, which doesn't allow much spare time for long sessions of computer experimentation.

I have also made sure that the WallStreet will boot from my OS 9 install disk for the formatting procedure (it will) and also that it will support the SuSE Linux install disk (works fine).

Sues says that their YAST2 graphical interface install helper program can install Linux in 20 minutes, which will be interesting to check out.

SuSE Linux PPC's minimum system requirements are modest compared with OS X --32 MB of RAM (more is better of course) and a PCI Power Mac, including such modest machinery as the Power Mac 7200, the Performa 4400, the UMAX C-600, or the PowerBook 2400, in contrast to OS X's G3 and up only/128 MB of RAM threshold. This opens the Unix world to a wider spectrum of Mac users, and it is presumably a better performer on machines like my slow WallStreet than OS X would be.

Another happy feature of SuSE Linux is that as well as running the Mac OS in the Mac on Linux emulator, you can also use it in dual-boot mode -- having the Mac OS run natively in tandem with Linux and switching back and forth. This will presumably allow complete support for all Mac OS functions, while simultaneously giving access to the advanced features of Linux.

My intent here is not to dis OS X, which is the makings of a wonderful operating system for the future. However, it's not there yet, and it never will be for users of older Mac platforms. With its punishing hardware requirements, you really need a 400 MHz G3 or better with at least 192 MB of RAM for decent OS X performance.

For the rest of us, Linux on the Mac may be an attractive alternative. I'm about to find out.

SuSE Linux 7.1 PowerPC Edition (6 CDs, 500-page manual, 60 days installation support) is available directly from the manufacturer as well as from bookstores and software retailers. The recommended retail price is $49.00. For a list of US and Canadian retaiers, visit here:
http://www.suse.com/us/products/retailers/index.html

For more information, visit:
http://www.suse.com

Charles W. Moore

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