Re: [WinMac] Film Bureau and Platforms

Michael Eilon(mgeilon[at]geocities.com)
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 22:57:58 +0800

At 8:35 AM -0400 21/9/99, Daniel L. Schwartz wrote:
>
>BACKUP AND ARCHIVING:
>---------------------
>
> I wouldn't bother with the unix variants because of the lack of decent
>backup software - "tar" doesn't bother to store file hierarchy, i.e. all
>files are stored flat.

Erm... are you sure about this? We use "tar" to backup our departmental
Linux server on a daily basis, and it certainly stores the directory
structures! Works pretty good too, seeing as it's essentially free
software.

>This is a *major* flaw with using OS X as a
>departmental server: Unlike NT, which has always had basic backup software
>included plus a full spectrum of ISV's (Independent Software Vendors)
>selling much better backup software.

I have to disagree. I don't think it's particularly fair to dismiss Unix
servers because you (incorrectly) think "tar" doesn't back up a directory
structure.

Frankly, I would choose Unix servers over NT servers for a number of
reasons, not least of which are:

1) It scales well... NT tends to die when the number of users/workstations
gets large (not a consideration for this Film Bureau thread, I realise).

2) It's free. The NT server OS usually costs $$$.

3) Whatever hardware NT can run on, usually Linux can as well (or is not
far behind).

4) Once it's running, a Unix server is less of a maintenance hassle than an
NT server (I should know... we have both in our department).

Admittedly, Unix servers are more hassle to set up and get going, and in
some cases that's a serious consideration, but dismissing Unix servers out
of hand because of a supposed flaw in tar seems excessive.

Admittedly I'm no Unix guru, and am familiar only with Linux (haven't used
MacOS X yet), but all in all I find Unix servers to be more powerful, more
robust and cheaper than Windows servers.

Cheers,

Michael Eilon
Assistant computer manager
Dept. of Physics
University of Western Australia

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