[BC] Automation suggestion needed

[Cowboy]

On Saturday 14 April 2007 03:12 pm, Paul B. Walker, Jr. wrote:
> I didn't say I wouldn't learn Linux, I just didn't wanna mess with
> installing it for one simple program.
> 
> Paul

 and

On Saturday 14 April 2007 03:40 pm, Paul B. Walker, Jr. wrote:
> I am serious about my automation, but..for right now, I don't have a PC I
> can dedicate to installing Linux on and trying out Rivendell before putting
> it on the air.
> 

 In that case, download the LiveCD. Pop it it ANY CD bootable machine,
 and check it out.
 It's a 100% fully functioning Rivendell system, no hard disk required.
 No cripple-ware, no limitations whatever. The CD can even use content
 from the hard drive, or from the network, and run.

 That's why it was written !! ( the CD. Yeah, I need to do an update )
 As a 100% functional demo.

 It boots to a fully functional point-and-click GUI, so there's really not
 much need to learn anything.

 Of course, the system has advanced since the last CD update, but that's
 due to get fixed.

On Saturday 14 April 2007 03:50 pm, Dave wrote:
> I have also thought of going with a Linux based solution.  The only thing
> that prevents me is the fact that there are very few competent techs in my
> area (none...actually.) I would be concerned if I left for vacation etc.
> that no one could properly diagnose issues with it in case of a crash.  Also
> there doesn't seem to be any support offered.  That's understandable as it
> is free, after all.  But free does have drawbacks like the support question.

 Stay tuned !
 Homeland Security prevents me from saying more at this moment.   ;-)

On Sunday 15 April 2007 03:53 am, Larry Fuss wrote:
>  >  Unlike Windows, Rivendell is much more an appliance.
> 
> OK, questions from somebody who knows nothing about Linux (other than the
> fact that I own a little bit of stock in Red Hat):
> 
> 1) Can I network the Rivendell computer with my Windows machines in order to
> transfer logs, files, etc?

 YES !!
 No automation system would be worth much if it couldn't network with Windows,
 regardless of what one might think of the most popular small systems OS
 that ever was, or any other for that matter.

 That might take a tad bit of experience or knowledge to set up.
 ( wave money, and many of us will do it for you, and/or teach you immediately.
 no money will take a little longer, and only teaching is available that way )

 Could be a client, like any Windows machine, or can mimic a 2003 Server, an
 NTServer, or a Novel server, or many other types as well.

 I wouldn't recommend setting up an on-air playout automation machine
 as a primary domain controller, but you could.

> 2) Can pcAnywhere run on it for remote access?

 Not PCAnywhere specificly.
 PCAnywhere is strictly a M$ thing, but there are several options
 for remote access to a system designed from circa 1970 to be accessed
 remotely at its heart.

 No one with a brain recommends telnet anymore, as it's totally "in the clear"
 so SSH has largely replaced it, with it's some 37 or so types of available
 encryption and almost unlimited variances of keys within each type.
 Using SSH as a VPN link, several options become immediately available,
 like local ( yes, he said LOCAL ) access from a remote machine.
 ( remember, it's a UNIX variant, and that was an original design criterea
 for the OS from its conception )
 VNC is popular with the windows crowd, though unnecessary.
 SSH can remote the Xwindow GUI with no help from anybody, and is more secure.
 Of course, you could run VNC through the SSH link also.

 You *might* be able to actually use PCAnywhere with a few tricks applied,
 but that's not beginner material, and I've seen no need whatever to try it.

 Note that if you check/trace my mail, like this one, it ALL goes to, and comes from
 my desktop in Akron, Ohio, where I'm not ! I'm in Vegas right now.
 In fact, even when I am in Akron, I seldom use the desktop at its own console
 anymore.
 Remote access can be easily, cheaply, and VERY securely from any *nix machine,
 whether that is a Linux laptop like mine, or a QNX workstation, a Sun SOLARIS
 machine at a college, or any M$ Windows PC booted to one of the MANY CD
 Linux systems available, including the Rivendell LiveCD, or a Knoppix CD.

 In short, remote access is a real non-issue, if ever it was even a small issue.

-- 
Cowboy