Well I have to admit, I am a Linux noob. I can’t get anything to work. I’ve been trying to install, use and get into the whole Linux scene for the last 3 years, and it is one of the most painful and frustrating experience. And this is coming from a guy who programs microcontrollers and device drivers. Using software should not be this hard!
WTF is with the .conf files. What era are we that Linux still uses this pathetic desktop environment (Xserver is a joke, at least the Linux implementation). The end result is that no one wants to use Linux. Heck I don’t want to use Linux, and I program for a living. This is completely f*cked up.
Anyways, I got a Portwell box a few months ago, and I never knew what to do with it. I think I’ll try to compile my own kernel and attempt to install it on the box – cause you know, it’s so freaking easy to use Linux.
I’m gonna go hit my head on the wall for a few more hours.
-J
what exactly do you want to do with linux? For example, do you want to listen to music , watch a dvd, play games, program, or etc.? I use opensuse on my computer; i use to use ubuntu. Also, what can’t you get to work and which linux are wanting to use? comment back…
The embedded space is kinda different in terms of usability and development. In particular, targeting systems is a huge pain in the ass in Linux. For example, the predominant technology in the embedded space is the ARM. Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t run an ARM desktop. So cross-compilation is a huge issue during development. Generally speaking Linux is well supported for ARMs, but the literature and support is very confusing and non-centralized.
Windows Embedded on the other hand usually targets x86 devices, along with ARM, but the toolkit is very standardized. Support is also very centralized. Development is usually very streamlined because set-up time (the amount of time it requires to set up your development environment) is less than on Linux. I’m sure if you’ve tried to compile your own kernel, the amount of hoops you need to jump through is just ridiculous. I’m not saying that WinEmedded is trouble free, but if you ever tried installing troublesome drivers on Linux (GMA500 on Linux for example), you know what I’m talking about.
-J