Re: Using Linux honest opinion?
In all honesty, modern Linux distros are a pleasure to use and there is not a big learning curve using the OS. If you have a working Parallel port Mach3 system, there is a conversion tool in LinuxCNC's stepconf to create a working config.
The Mesa cards are very very powerful and PCW_MESA provides amazing support on the Linuxcnc forum. He even built new firmware for me after I fried an encoder input that meant I did not have to buy a new board.
Just one point, Smoothstepper cards are not compatible. LinuxCNC uses the real time operating system features of Linux and is always THE_MOTION_CONTROLLER so you have much greater control and flexibility becasue of the CPU resources at your disposal. Smoothstepper is also a motion controller and you only need one!
Rod Webster
www.vehiclemods.net.au