Grant Likely wrote:

On Fri, Feb 29, 2008 at 10:24 AM, Phil Hochstetler
[off-list ref] wrote:
  

quoted

I guess what I am looking for is advise on the lowest risk, easiest to set
up environment to setup that will just work.  Also advise on which kernel to
use.   I don't need a detailed tutorial but a high level direct that is
known to work.  I am thinking of using either the secret lab tree or the
Xilinx tree as recommended in Grants wiki page.  Should I just forget using
XP and install a Linux (x86 processor so I must use cross tools)?   If so,
what is the recommend distro and what version?
    

Yes, absolutely.  Going down the cygwin path is doable, but it is a
path of pain.  I strongly recommend using a Linux host.  (I personally
use Ubuntu, but you should have good success with any disto.  Use what
you're most comfortable with).

The simplest approach to get running with a Linux box is to install
either VirtualBox or VMware and create yourself a Linux virtual
machine.  That will get you up and running without having to obtain
new hardware or risk breaking your XP setup.
  

    Mostly I would agree - however, I would suggest something like
colinux rather than
    virtualbox or vmware - If you must do development work on a windows
system.
    Colinux is fairly trivial to get up and running.
    It gives you real linux running as a process under windows.
    There is no "virtualization" going on at all.
    The only caveat is that all access to host hardware must go through
windows.
    This is much less of a big deal than it sounds - if you are talking
about a development environment.
    It is also useful because from colinux running under windows you can
have access to your windows filesystem.
    This means that you can use REAL linux tool fairly transparently on
windows while still running windows.
    I rarely run windows anymore. But when I do I run colinux, and I
write linux shell scripts that run under colinux
    to preform tasks I find difficult to do under windows.



-- 
Dave Lynch 					  	    DLA Systems
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