Category: Geeks r Us
Hey all, thinking of installing ubuntu server on to one of my old computers but need to know if it can be installed completely without site or not. Also, is ubuntu server the right way to go? if you have any other suggestions i'm open to them.
When last I checked, Ubuntu Server could not be installed eyes-free. True, it has no gui or apps for same, but, there's no way to do a talking install. That is, no Speakup or YASR, also, no telnet or ssh-type install that I'm aware of. If you're interested in doing the Linux desktop thing, My best suggestion is the Vinux remix of Ubuntu. It's installable and fully usable, eyes-free. If you're looking for something non-desktop, there are distros like GRML, that have a talking boot-up option from their live cd images.
I agree with GRML, and I'm also going to suggest:
Debian
and
Knoppix
The only issue I see with Debian is that you need a braille display to install it without sighted assistance. GRML comes with Speakup by default. Vinux is also a nice choice. As for an ftp server, look into Webmin. To see what ftp servers it supports. And choose one.
Webmin is a browser interface which is compatible with both Firefox on Windows and Safari on the Mac. It allows you to do way more than just ftp server maintinance. The only issue I see with it is that from what I see on the downloads page, there's only a Debian package for it not Ubuntu.
The following is for Ubuntu Server, but it can be applied to Ubuntu desktop.
article title: Installing Webmin on Ubuntu Server 10.04 LTS (Lucid)
article url: http://www.kelvinwong.ca/2010/05/22/installing-webmin-on-ubuntu-server-10-04-lts-lucid
If you decide to stick with Windows, I would suggest FileZilla server for ftp or Serv-u.
I second filezilla. Really nice little program.
I'd also look into Raiden FTPD if your site will be big and online 24 7. It is similar to Serv-u but way the hell less expensive. I'm unsure how long the prices will last as they are, but home is $25 and pro is $29. It is Jaws friendly and works under XP Pro or Server 2003 as well.
Raiden FTPD Server Pricing: http://www.raidenftpd.com/en/pricing.html
i'll have to look in to that, thinking of the windows server 2003 route now as it'd be somewhat like what i know already.
vinux would be good ...
I remember running GRML a few months back. It liked my 64 bit system, the only issue I ran into was when it came to partitioning the hard drive. One of the drives that I had in the system had an NTFS partition which grml couldn't remove.
I had to use an xP disk to remove it. If Debian 6 is similar to GRML when it comes to partitioning then XP will need to be used. The other issue besides that I see with Debian is though the Vinux hacks to get Orca to wirk with PulseAudio and SUDO are being superseeded by the proper ways of doing things. Will those configuration changes be brought to Debian proper or will they stay only in Ubuntu? I hope that they're brought to Debian proper. Along with Speakup and ESpeak in the kernel. This way we have more choices when it comes to accessible Linux distros. And yes, Debian works with Voxin.
To update this topic a bit, there's also Arch Linux or Gentoo. Both are accessible. Both are Command Line based. Gentoo is much harder to setup than Arch Linux. The main reason for this is that the packages for Gentoo are compiled from source to the specific system you're using. With Arch Linux you don't have that issue. At least Arch Linux works with Voxin. Though getting it to work is tricky but doable. I'd suggest Arch Linux. It takes a while to setup, but you only have the stuff you'll be using installed. There's a blind friendly version of Arch Linux for 32 and 64 bit systems. Same for Gentoo. Both come with Speakup and ESpeak. Which means you'll have software speech.