I’ve actually been changing the way I work these days. I’m using linux as my main workstation and running windows in a Virtual Machine. I still use ArcGIS but I’ve been branching out and using more software. I want to be less centered on one ecosystem of software these days.
So I have been running Ubuntu in some form or fashion for a while. If you look back at the years of Linux I’ve bounced all over the place. Ubuntu probably has the best repository for GIS software. I typically run Xubuntu because it’s just easier for me to deal with and less bloated. Well – I had a problem I found at the last minute on Xubuntu and it led to an upgrade that just went stupid.
I started looking at alternatives. I found one – CrunchBang.
I loaded it in a VM and started loading QGIS, PostGIS, and seeing how it worked. So far – quite well. So well I went ahead and upgraded my main workstation to Waldorf (latest release of CrunchBang). One good backup and I’ve got 90% of my work restored. I’m thinking this would be a good solution for a GIS workstation (maybe the OSGEO Live CD). CrunchBang gives you the stability of Debian and you have about every package you need available (updated packages too). So far the only thing I’m lacking is TileMill. I think I’ve got a workaround for that one.
I’m detailing what I’m doing here – hopefully in a short bit I’ll have this up and running as flawless I can get it – and I can turn more people onto linux and crunchbang.
