Peyton Hall holds the Department of Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University, and rumor has it that they use Springdale Linux there. If you’re headed there then you probably already knew that.
I once tried to get into Princeton University, before the days of computers ‘n internet, but they rejected me after I had walked ‘n hitchhiked to there from ‘Toilet Seat Cut‘.
Should’ve mailed my application from ‘Toilet Seat Cut‘ before I walked ‘n hitchhiked there to turn it in. Never dawned on me that they would reject me!?! Well, never made it into Princeton, but I know how to install the Linux OS they use at Peyton Hall, i.e., Springdale. 😁
My first review of Springdale Linux was in this post: Springdale Linux 7.5 – Custom Red Hat®-based Distribution ‘n Formerly known as PUIAS Linux, @ the Linux Newbie ‘Hub‘ Extension.
Springdale Linux
Springdale Linux (SDL) / Formerly known as PUIAS Linux – ‘Custom Red Hat®-based Distribution and Mirror. A project of members of the computing staff of Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study‘.
They say the move from Fedora to Springdale was because – ‘Fedora releases are every couple months, Springdale releases are less frequent‘. Actually, from Release to End-of-life of each Fedora version is closer to a year than “every couple months,” and it is easy to simply upgrade to the new release when it comes out – DNF System Upgrade:
- dnf-plugin-system-upgrade is a plugin for the DNF package manager and is used to upgrade your system to the current release of Fedora.
I’ve noticed a lot of Linux OS users (especially Arch & Archie users) who apparently don’t understand what upgrading an upgradable Distro is about, i.e., most seem to believe that you have to literally install each new version. Anyway, maybe Princeton @ Peyton Hall also has other reasons…
Installing Springdale 8.7
Downloaded the x86_64 boot.iso file @ 827 MB, and used Rufus to create bootable install USB. Like most RHEL-based OSes Springdale uses the Anaconda installer.
Then your language:
Then Installation Summary:
- NOTE: We need to clear the red exclamations first. I usually start wid Installation Destination first, then Network second, then Root Password third, and Software Selection fourth. The other ‘reds’ clear after those.
Then Installation Destination (this can be tricky for newbies):
Pick the correct Target Disk ‘n Then:
Click Reclaim space in the popup ‘n Then:
Verify the correct Target Disk ‘n click Delete all ‘n Then:
Now Reclaim space that was just Deleted. Those Installation Destination steps are why most people can’t install RHEL-based OSes…a tad ‘Tricky‘ until you figure it out. 🙂
Then Network:
- NOTE: I have found it easier to use an Ethernet connection than wireless, but it needs to be turned on.
Then Root Password:
Then Software Selection:
- NOTE: Just select the Workstation option…GNOME is the only option. I just guessed @ the Additional software options. 😳
Then you’re back @ the Installation Summary page ‘n all the red exclamations are now cleared – click Begin Installation.
It’s a fast installation, and then you reboot when it finishes.
Post Installation & Initial Setup
On Initial Setup I just select License Information:
Then accept the license agreement:
Then enter name in About You:
Then set a password for that standard user:
That takes you into the new installation desktop, and I normally just reboot at that point so I can get into the root section before making any changes. Archaic Enterprise Linux Desktop doesn’t want root users being in control, but more secure OSes than Linux allow Desktop users to avoid annoying “Authenticate” popups on their own home computers, e.g., Android OS (no login on any of my phones have ever been required) & Chrome OS (one password @ login window and nothing after that) & Windows OSes (offer all the options you want).
Fulltime Linux Root User
I won’t use an OS that doesn’t allow me to control my own computers. Springdale Linux 8.7 allows for the standard ‘Password Dependent‘ user and also a root user. This section will show how to avoid logging in as the standard ‘Password Dependent‘ user, and instead login as the root user.
At Login window, select “Not listed?”:
Type in root for Username:
Enter root Password you created ‘n click “Sign In”.
That takes you to the Springdale root user section. One password to log in to an OS is all that is needed. On my Win11 Pro OSes I don’t even use a login…
Conclusion
Here is the About info:
I was unable to install a Nvidia driver for my GPU, but Springdale had the correct Nouveau NV168 driver for my GeForce 1660 card. Springdale compatibility issues wid RPM Fusion seemed to be the problem, but normally I install Nvidia drivers on RHEL-based OSes wid this METHOD.
Here is the final Desktop after some tweaks:
I changed the wallpaper. Added GNOME Shell integration to Firefox, and then added Dash to Panel extension for the Windows or Cinnamon DE look.
Not for everyone, but what Linux OS is. 😉 I enjoyed testing it, and tests went easier this time. Smooth ‘n fast installation. Certainly a powerful OS, tho I prefer Fedora 37 Cinnamon SPIN.
Great job by the Princeton developers, and it felt much improved over the Springdale Linux 7.5 I tested a year ago.