Author: Matthew Hull
Date: 11:33:53 09/23/03
Go up one level in this thread
On September 23, 2003 at 11:52:13, stuart taylor wrote: >Can you or someone please explain to me in very simple language, exactly what >Linux is and what can be done with it. Linux is a UNIX-like operating system. In the PC server space (Intel, AMD), it competes with Windows. It is also a nice desktop system for Intel/AMD PCs. However, you cannot run Fritz or any other Windows-only program on Linux (at least not easily). You cannot run MS Office on it either, or QuickBooks/Quicken, etc. There are replacement apps that do those functions, but they are not necessarily as "feature-rich" yet. For chess, you will have available many amatuer and/or free chess programs like Crafty (although CT may be ported soon) which use the xboard interface (works the same as Windboard). Depending on the Linux distribution you choose, the cost for Linux is anywhere from free to hundreds of dollars. For instance, you can get Pink Tie Linux (it's really Red Hat Linux) from cheapbytes.com for $5 plus shipping and handling. Debian is a free download (or order the CD at cost plus shipping). There are many more pay-for distros where you can subscribe to tech support and upgrades just like with Windows. The main advantage is that there are no copyright issues to worry about. You can share the CDs with your friends and install on as many machines as you like. No software police to worry about. Also, you get myriads of shells, utilities, programming languages and other goodies, all included at no extra cost. >If it's so durable and flexible, why >isn't it the main thing in the news? Linux is not a company, so very little is heard of it in terms of marketing. However, it is newsworthy in IT journals. >Is it a competitor to Intel, AMD etc? > >And regarding Allistair saying to play it myself, then I can be sure that the >computer will never go out of date (unless I indeed become a GM or more), the >problem is HOW the computer wins, rather than the fact that it will win >(certainly if a play touch move!). Some people like to be able to "own" the latest and strongest chess programs. To remain in that group, one must be constantly upgrading one's hardware, otherwise the top software will not give you a top-performing program. It is a vicious cycle where the machine is never fast enough to remain on top (if you've read Qohelet then you know the basic syndrome). Some can afford to do that and that's fine for them if they want to "chase the wind", though somewhat wasteful IMO. For folks on a limited computer budget (like me), that mindset simply must be eschewed. Once you've reconciled yourself to this reality, you will find that settling for free, source-available programs is just as much fun, if not more so since your pocket book will also be happier. And it looks like some commercials will eventually be ported to Linux soon if you must have them. Against humans (even of GM strength), the free programs are quite as strong as the commercials. GM Guseinov drew a two-game match with Crafty at standard time controls on FICS last January. So, it's monetarily futile to try and keep pace with the leading edge. So settle down and enjoy something more practical. >Maybe THAT is what can be improved, rather than its "strength". If that's the >case, then we are indeed still lacking the ideal chess program, which might >exist in 10-20 years from now. >But I can't spend the next 10-20 years biting on granite year by year before >closing up my suspence function, which has been wasted too long over that. >Therefore I have to lock it soon, with whatever there is. Buy as fast and as memory-loaded a machine as you can afford now with a view toward using it for five years. Be content that in a few months, it will no longer be an impressive machine. Change your philosophy to enjoying your machine for five years (while you save your sheckels) after which you can look forward to another quantum leap in performance. >But if it is already equal to Kasparov, and possibly to other top humans, even >though it is still without great knoweledge, I'm still a bit puzzled as to >whether or not there IS much to still be in suspense about. >But, as I say, maybe it's the quality which can still be improved immensly, >whilst the quantity (in ELO increase etc) is very minimal for the next ten >years. > >Again, I never find that someone else also shares my feelinfgs about all this! I'm guessing the top GMs would have all they could handle with a strong free program. This is proven daily on ICC. In five to ten years, I guessing there won't be a GM alive who can beat Crafty or Ferret at any time control. So a sensible person on a budget should not strive for the strongest available programs and hardware. It's just overkill IMHO. IMHO, MH >Regards >S.Taylor
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