On 11/17/05, Ken Schneider
Then why offend experienced admins that use a GUI to admin a machine?
Experienced admins should know how to ssh into the server and run the GUI tool using the X-server of their desktop.
Not all configs are easily handled via the CLI and there are fewer possibilities of making errors using a well written GUI that uses syntax checking.
I don't have a problem with using GUI tools on a server, I use a few myself, but I think that running a full graphical desktop system like KDE or GNOME on a server for the few times that you need to run a graphical tool is a waste of resources. You also have to walk to the server room to go and do some admin, why not do it from the comfort of your office? If you do not have a desktop system running an X-Server, then I would suggest running the server in runlevel 3. If you need to use graphcal stuff, you login and run startx. But you have twm as your default window manager. You don't need anything more than that. I just cannot see the need of a full KDE or GNOME running on a server. Who will use all the panels and stuff? Who sit and watch all the eye-candy in a server room? It has been designed as a productive desktop, not a launching pad for the odd admin tool. Then there is the security factor also. Desktop systems are very complex. The more complex a piece of software is, the more chance of security holes. Desktop systems have more risk of possible security holes, so why run it if it is not needed?
I happen to use and like using webmin for doing a lot of my admin work, not all but enough. Actually makes it easier to admin postfix.
A web interface is a good idea, if security is catered for. -- Andre Truter | Software Engineer | Registered Linux user #185282 ICQ #40935899 | AIM: trusoftzaf | http://www.trusoft.za.org ~ A dinosaur is a salamander designed to Mil Spec ~