On Monday, 13 May 2024, at 4:17 AM, clinton wrote:
If I were completely naive to actually running plan9 but with many clues about other operating systems and hardware, would it be better for me to install 9legacy on some mildly obsolescent but still quite serviceable and reliable hardware, or start with 9front on something more modern?
If you are familar with linux and have a veteran computer with 8 GB I would start with 9vx and a 9legacy iso. This will simplify your first steps. Otherwise you will have to get used to so many different things at once that you will perhaps loose your confidence.
The advantages taking this root are :
i) No filesystem problems
ii) No hardware problems
iii) The ability to edit files in an editor of your choice
iv) The ability to start all kinds of services from terminal, cpu server, file server aso on a single computer to try all those things out compile kernels write scripts try them out.
...
After you get used to rio, acme, acid rc the next step I would suggest is build a network out of virtual machines with the filesystem of your choice. And even while doing so using one 9vx emulation will help you establish connections to all those virtual machines and allow you to make adjustments.
After you have collected enough experience I would stay with 9legacy and ignore 9front. 9vx allows you to create boot media for old as well as new computers. You find everything necessary on the 9legacy CD (but also things which shouldn't have been back ported to 9legacy).
If you need help walking this road don't hesitate to ask. I think a cold start with plan9 9legacy or 9front with so many different things will just take the fun away but using 9vx you will keep the fun and can immediatly start using plan 9 and 9vx is extremly fast. 9vx has some shortcomings like missing support for some devices but don't mind them cause you will end up installing plan9 on bare metal after you get used to it anyway.
To sum up :
1. Step : Linux + 9vx + 9legacy (started for times)
2. Step : qemu + 9legacy (cpu, fileserver, terminal) + 9vx (for adjustments and as a rescue terminal)
3. Step : qemu + 9legacy (cpu, fileserver, terminal) + drawterm
4. Step : Bare metal as you like