[Elecraft] Linux and Operating

Don Wilhelm w3fpr at embarqmail.com
Sun Mar 30 19:29:09 EDT 2014


All,

Yes, the XP computers, and even Win98 and Win2k computers will still 
work just fine - just make sure they are isolated from an internet 
connection and you can continue to use all the applications that you are 
used to.  For a dedicated shack computer using dedicated ham 
applications, there may be no need to connect to the internet, it can 
operate as a stand-alone computer.

In my case, I have my information and documents spread out over several 
computers as well as a RAID file server, so I cannot sever from the 
internet easily without also losing email and web access on the 
computers that need those applications - in other words, with my current 
setup, I cannot run a stand-alone computer to get the things I need 
accomplished.  For that reason, I have upgraded to Win7 on all my computers.

For those who can run a stand-alone system isolated from internet 
hackers, you are free to run whatever OS you are happy with.

If you have all your files on a Windows XP computer and do not want to 
bear the expense of migrating to Win7 or Win8, I suggest you try Linux 
Mint with the Mate desktop (it is not a big jump from a Windows 
desktop).  You can still dual boot into WinXP, just do not use email or 
a browser while in WinXP - in fact, it would be wise to disable your NIC 
card in the XP control panel.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/30/2014 6:53 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
> Many of us use computers for a wide variety of purposes in the shack.
>
> Some use them for logging, some for rig control.
>
> Some of us operate almost exclusively keyboard-to-keyboard modes 
> (don't know why I own a straight key, a set of paddles, or a microphone).
>
> Without using a computer, I'm QRT.
>
> I'm not a big fan of the Windows-vs-Linux religious arguments, but I 
> am interested in what is, and isn't, available.  I'm also still using 
> what most would consider antique operating systems.
>
> The folks on the computer-related reflectors aren't interested in 
> PSK-31 or JT65, and would object about as quickly as some here who 
> still log using a pen and paper.
>
> I respect those who are old-school, but while I miss the 28KSR I once 
> had, I can take my laptop (running XP) and my KX3 and operate most 
> anywhere.
>



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