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Hi Shane.
So i was too fast asking for the questions :-) I just got them here.
Looking at the hardware range, there seems no problem there. Anything that can
run a 2000 or an NT4 would be OK with ANY linux distribution. You could have
issues with some modems and even fewer ethernet adaptors, but likely not. A
quick snoop around linmodem and some supported hadware lists available on
every distribution's website should clear these questions. I will post some
of the links at the end of the message.
Some answers.
-1- Linux costs less.
Linux being free and open-source does indeed cost less, it is free :-)
A support account with your distribution-maintainer would cost between
$50-$100 /year or for Lifetime. This would be a good corner-number. You
would find exact amounts again on the distro's website. But let your choice
centrer on your needs, not on the price of a support package.
After the initial rollout, your maintenance costs would be reduced by three
main factors.
(a) The updates and patches can be automated, the end user does not need
to be aware of them in most of the cases.
(b) Until something breaks, all Linux distributions are remotely controllable
and administrable, including reboot and reconfiguration of major services.
Saving on transport and personell and time.
(c) Linux is very stable, it needs very little attention during it's lifetime.
As a consequence, less resources need to be expanded to keep the systems
running according to specification.
-2- Linux is more secure, virii-free
Due to the nature of linux, not many virii where ever written for it beyond
the proof-of-consept creatures. It is very difficult for a virus to (install)
itself on a system with strictly enforced access-rights system like linux is.
It will have to gain administrative access first, before it can install and
run. Also Linux a multi-culture, as opposed to mono-culture, in a
multi-culture environment viruses and worms do not thrive very well. If you
set-up your linux correctly, it would be very hard for an intruder to break
into the system, the automatic update system would ensure that there are no
exploitable bugs, vulnerabilities on the system, the strict enforcement of
access-rights would ensure the system integrity (no unauthorized software
installations). The end result is, yes a very secure system that responds
very poorly to the attempts of viruses and worms.
-3- Linux has similar, compatible applications (mozilla instead of
IE,OpenOffice instead of MS Office)
Indeed, Mozilla, Konqueror, Opera (not open, but does have a native linux
version btw.) are but a few very good browsers, they all handle plugins like
flash, and real-audio, and they can play multimedia. So on the side of
browsers i feel there should be no problem. e-mail clients (GUI) are also
available like kmail ( i use that) and a bunch of others. And yes,
OprnOffice.org is very compatible, but there is also koffice and a few others
to complement the list of choices.
So lets look at the down-side things, just to clear some of the fear.:
1) User reaction to unfamiliar interface
Yes users will react to unfamiliar interface, i am sure with a day of
training the users will be glad they reacted to the now very
familiar interface, a week later the same set of users will wonder
how they ever came to terms with using anything-else but a well
configured KDE or Gnome.
In my experience, it is not the interface, it is more the names
of the applications that tends to frustrate very-new-users, they
cant find word (it is called openOffice-writer now), the menu
helps a great deal by categorizing the applications, the
installation can narrow down the choices to one or two of
the type, this way minimize user frustration. Obviously
the best way, is a bit of training, or a special menu.
2) Greater administration expense (fewer Linux experts out there than MS
monkeys)
Since linux would require less administration, due to it's extra
stability and resistance to viruses and alike, it would require less
administration time. Add to that the remote capability and you should be
spending less do maintain any one system.
As for the number of Linux sysadmins in town to do maintenance, just looking
at the membership CLUG has, we would have a good 25-30% experts among us
if not more ready, capable and eager to provide what you need in the way of
administration.
3) Loss of custom applications (a safety training program written in C++ for
Windows -- I'm not sure if WINE would run this.)
Thank you for bringing this issue up.
Chances are, your application will run
under wine, obviously it is not in the supported list, because it is a
proprietary application.
If this is not the case, and you have the source of
the application, the the application should be portable to linux, just let a
few Linux developers look at the source, and you should know how much
effort it will take.
If you do not have the source, but your vendor has it,
you can get a quot from them regarding porting the application.
And if all the ropes are gone, well, a total functional rewrite would be
the final and admittedly most painful option.
Your chances of it running under wine are around 98%, I was just exploring
the reminder 2%
Some links:
RedHat
http://www.redhat.com/
http://www.redhat.com/software/rhel/desktop/
http://www.redhat.com/software/rhel/purchase/
http://www.redhat.com/software/rhel/assurance/
Fedora (ex redhat :-))
http://www.fedora.us/
http://fedora.redhat.com/
Mandrake:
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/club/
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/hardware.php3
http://www.mandrakestore.com/mdkinc/index.php?LANG_=en&tab_x=tab_1
Suse
http://www.suse.com/us/index.html
http://www.suse.com/us/company/customer_references/index.html
http://www.suse.com/en/company/customer_references/it_infrastructure.html
Gentoo
http://www.gentoo.org/
Debian
http://www.debian.org/
http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages
http://www.debian.org/support
Well, this should keep you going, and if any questions come up, I am sure we
will be glad to help.
Cheers
Szemir
On June 21, 2004 14:14, Clements, Shane wrote:
> Hi Dave.
> Thanks for your interest.
>
> Currently there are several public access networks all over Calgary to
> provide access to Calgarians without computers.
>
> They vary in size from 10 - 20 client stations.
>
> Currently they run NT4 or Windows 2000. They are expensive to upgrade and
> many of the agencies can't afford to upgrade or support them.
>
> The primary users are members of the public for word processing and
> internet browsing.
>
> Many of the machines are PIII.
>
> So far the case (in a few words) is:
>
> 1) Linux costs less
> 2) Linux is more secure, virii-free
> 3) Linux has similar, compatible applications (mozilla instead of IE,
> OpenOffice instead of MS Office)
>
> The downsides seem to be:
>
> 1) User reaction to unfamiliar interface
> 2) Greater administration expense (fewer Linux experts out there than MS
> monkeys) 3) Loss of custom applications (a safety training program written
> in C++ for Windows -- I'm not sure if WINE would run this.)
>
> Are there some issues I'm overlooking?
>
> Shane
>
>
>
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Lee [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: 2004 June 21 1:10 PM
> To: CLUG General
> Cc: Clements, Shane
> Subject: Re: [clug-talk] Linux Advocacy
>
>
>
> Hi Shane,
>
> The CLUG is always interested in "making a case" for Linux ;-) Can you
> provide any additional details about these public access networks? What
> is the primary purpose and who will be the primary users? How many nodes?
> What type of hardware?
>
> How much have you explored Linux as a possibility and what are you initial
> concerns and/or uncertainties, if any?
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
>
> Clements, Shane wrote:
> > Hi CLUG,
> > I'm working with a group involved in creating/maintaining public access
> > networks throughout Calgary and was curious if the group had some
> > information about "making a case" for Linux.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Shane
>
> _______________________________________________
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