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May 7th, 2008

Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 11:27 am

Categories: Linux

Tags: Recovery, Cold Calling, Linux, Backups, Sales Tools, UNIX, Operating Systems, Open Source, Software, Sales

My ZDNet blogging colleague Jason Perlow has just put together an amazing Geek Sheet covering the bare metal backup and recovery of a Linux-based system using nothing but the standard Linux tools. At the same time Jason has allowed me to finally win a bet with some of you who read this blog - that Linux is for geeks with far too much time on their hands!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to find Jason’s instructions massively useful (in fact, I’m going to go away later and try out their process for myself), but that whole process looks like far too much hassle for me.

Seriously, if the backup and restore process takes more than a recovery CD, a few clicks of the mouse, and an ice cold glass of mineral water, then it’s too complicated. If typing is involved, then that had better be limited to choosing a filename or entering a password for the archive. Once I’ve clicked on the button marked Backup or Restore, I then want to sit back and watch the slow but steady movement of a progress bar.

Given the choice of having to mess about at a terminal typing commands or using a product such as Acronis TrueImage Echo, I know which one I prefer!

Thoughts?

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 71 Talkback(s)
"and an ice cold glass of mineral water"
LOL. The PC'ness of this statement is hilarious.

Yes, Linux is for Geeks with too much time however what the geeks learn to make Linux function the way they want is itself valuable.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: People Posted on: 06/16/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  Loverock Davidson | 05/07/08
It's not for you  fr0thy2 | 05/07/08
For people who do real work, simplifying tasks increases productivity.  transposeIT | 05/08/08
You're Jamaican? (NT)  odubtaig | 05/07/08
Maybe he plays a troll in WoW [n/t]  grail@... | 05/08/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  MariusSilverwolf | 05/07/08
also useful for windows  jperlowZDNet Moderator | 05/07/08
No LVM stuff required for Windows  jperlowZDNet Moderator | 05/07/08
Thanks I will check it out, and try it.  marks055@... | 05/07/08
You must not of heard of ....  ShadeTree | 05/08/08
Please point me to the free version of ghost...  chemist109 | 05/08/08
uhmmm ever hear of second HDD?  billw1234 | 05/10/08
What was that? Pfffffffffffft. happy  D. T. Schmitz | 05/07/08
Message has been deleted.  fr0thy2 | 05/07/08
You guys fall for this stuff every time  zmud | 05/07/08
Doh!  D. T. Schmitz | 05/07/08
Apparently this one above does - nt  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
Apparently the truth hurts...-nt  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
This isn't a reflection on Linux but rather a proceedure...  ye | 05/07/08
write a GUI...  redtrain65 | 05/07/08
This is not necessary for the average user  tombalablomba | 05/07/08
I didn't say you should write one. I said if someone were...  ye | 05/07/08
More of the same?  klumper | 05/07/08
No. Why would I? Nothing I said here changes...  ye | 05/07/08
It'll just go over your head ... again  klumper | 05/07/08
Try me.  ye | 05/07/08
You were tried, and lost  klumper | 05/07/08
@klumper: Wow. Are you a sore loser.  ye | 05/08/08
re:Klumper anyone that  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
Wha people  daengbo | 05/08/08
Typos  daengbo | 05/08/08
...  Linux User 147560 | 05/07/08
The GUI already exists, but not needed.  TripleII | 05/07/08
Re: write a GUI...  none none | 05/07/08
Nonsense  super_J | 05/07/08
Backup Gui in Mandrake/Mandriva for years  Alganon | 05/08/08
I think that is part of the problem , and what one  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
re: I think that is part of the problem , and what one  richdave | 05/08/08
I didn't need proof.  Prognosticator | 05/07/08
Message has been deleted.  super_J | 05/07/08
not so simple app installers  cornpie | 05/08/08
I admit I haven't used SuSE in a while  Michael Kelly | 05/08/08
Exactly...what I have seen and faced  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
Yes, I worked through it too.  cornpie | 05/08/08
Am I missing something?  bryantrv | 05/07/08
Nevermind  bryantrv | 05/07/08
Needling the fanboys is fun  pjotr123 | 05/07/08
live linux rescue CD ...  super_J | 05/07/08
It's hard?  TripleII | 05/07/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  b.bob | 05/07/08
I recently used the backup and restore utility  marks055@... | 05/07/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  mrdt | 05/07/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  super_J | 05/07/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  jperlowZDNet Moderator | 05/07/08
Interesting point.... IF you have an NTFS drive  mdsmedia | 05/07/08
Linux can write to NTFS  Alganon | 05/08/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  joe@... | 05/08/08
Easier way  homant@... | 05/08/08
Easy as pie with PCLinuxOS  johnf76@... | 05/08/08
Or, if you like an open source enterprise product  johnf76@... | 05/08/08
LOL Dead-On, and OUCH! but -  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
It's BS stories like this that create the flame wars  russellphoto_z | 05/08/08
LOL - but you have to admit it is entertaining...  socialism=nowhere | 05/08/08
Acronis Makes No Linux Bare Metal Recovery Product?  TroyJohnson | 05/08/08
RE: Proof that Linux is for geeks with too much time on their hands!  Goodolejim | 05/08/08
Flaming the Fire  Your Mom 2.0 | 05/08/08
Wake up, it's a blog for a commercial publication  grail@... | 05/08/08
Probably Right About That  Your Mom 2.0 | 05/09/08
Jokers all over  Altotus | 05/09/08
I'm switching any PC I can to...  bjbrock | 06/16/08
"and an ice cold glass of mineral water"  People | 06/16/08

What do you think?

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