Help about linux apps & Driver

[coldhart]

im using pc for several years but never tried Linux so im quite noob in this field. im using Autodesk maya, Nuke & will learn houdini very soon. i found that linux works faster for this apps so planning to install centOS 7 ( Currently using in VMware for testing ) since its rock solid & very stable found after googling alot. so i have following question

1. how can i block any apps in centOS 7 which trying access internet i saw that there something called iptables but its command line tool ( very bad at command line :'( ) so any other gui apps or is it better to use iptable & try to learn commands. only firewall i used until now is Kaspersky ( Right click to block in list )

2. i saw that there is repos for everything so should i download drivers from manufacturers site or rely on repo.

3. how can i install repo how can i find out which repo is good or bad. any list & guide will be really helpful

4. i Use klite mega codec & mpc hc ( its very quick ) in window so is there any quick multimedia player ( no media center ). support for click on screen to pause & play will be better. i have no intention to use wine since i heard it help some virus to run on linux ( correct me if im wrong )

 

[mv2devnull]

For CentOS 7:
http://wiki.centos.org/AdditionalResources/Repositories
https://www.centos.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=44

CentOS 7 has firewalld service that manages firewall rules. Configuring the service ...
first bet: https://access.redhat.com/documenta.../html/Security_Guide/sec-Using_Firewalls.html

 

[MrColin]

1. The best way uses both iptables and selinux, steep learning curve, deal with it or ignore the issue. A package called shorewall can simplify your firewalling a little bit.

2. Stick to the repo and be really careful about 3rd party repos, as in don't use them, it will hose you almost every time.

3. Even EPEL will probably hose you eventually, learn about, package pinning if you really must.

4. There is very little need for wine at all. VLC plays everything and you can configure it to behave the way you want but you'll probably need a 3rd party repo to get it working which will break other things.

IMHO CENTOS is better for a server or a single purpose business desktop that doesn't involve multimedia. You'll have more fun with debian or an ubuntu derivative, Fedora is pretty good too, especially if you want to be in a similar system to CENTOS/RHEL. I recommend using the xfce variant of whatever distro you choose.

 

[coldhart]

1. The best way uses both iptables and selinux, steep learning curve, deal with it or ignore the issue. A package called shorewall can simplify your firewalling a little bit.

2. Stick to the repo and be really careful about 3rd party repos, as in don't use them, it will hose you almost every time.

3. Even EPEL will probably hose you eventually, learn about, package pinning if you really must.

4. There is very little need for wine at all. VLC plays everything and you can configure it to behave the way you want but you'll probably need a 3rd party repo to get it working which will break other things.

IMHO CENTOS is better for a server or a single purpose business desktop that doesn't involve multimedia. You'll have more fun with debian or an ubuntu derivative, Fedora is pretty good too, especially if you want to be in a similar system to CENTOS/RHEL. I recommend using the xfce variant of whatever distro you choose.

1. So shorewall is better front end for iptable & selinux. i don't want to do highend server admin work. Just able to block specific apps from accessing internet & get some good security is more than enough.I google a bit for linux firewall i came up with some good option IPCop,Shorewall,UFW – Uncomplicated Firewall,OpenBSD and PF which one should i choose.

2. so instead of using repo should i download package myself is better choice ?

3. i loved vlc once but only letdown is it dont have click on screen to pause & play feature which i loved in mpc-hc ( klite mega codec's player )

4. What file system should i use ext4 or xfs( Default in centos 7 ) currently using ext4 in virtual machine. but plz suggest best file system ( its desktop with 4 tb hdd ). should i turn of journaling for better hdd life. stability & reliability of data is primary concern.

the only reason i choose centos becoz its rock solid ( as several people claim on internet ) compare to other distro when its come to working with maya & Nuke. otherwise i would love to work with ubuntu since its easy to use & larger userbase compare to centos. as for fedora is testing platform of rhel which is way unstable ( as other user said on internet ) as for centos is final rhel after removing rhel branding ( Correct me if im wrong )