I like having a single distro... but each of these
options could be part of the installation choices
dedicated email server ... could be one choice and
that focuses the rest of the installation choices.
thin client .... could be another with options for
enough info for a floppy per client or maybe just 100
meg on a hard drive, etc
Each choice would have its own recommendations with
alternatives. I am sure that a list dedicated to these
issues alone could be quite insightful and active and
I think it would give Mandrake a leg up on the
competition...
--- S N <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Cooker,
>
> I've been reading what everyone's have been writing
> about how to make Mandrake better. Ie. fonts, icons,
> how to place graphics and general logical flow of
> the
> whole distribution. I thought is would also be nice
> to
> provide Usability Suggestions from a business point
> of
> view. As well as provide ways to make Mandrake more
> accepted in business.
>
> Here goes...
>
> Mandrake should consider breaking up the main
> distribution into 4 business directed "Mini"
> distributions. The first "Mini" would be a dedicated
> email server. If you've ever been in an NT shop or
> used Microsoft software you'll notice that Exchange
> Server is different than 2000 server or even NT
> server. Exchange Server is just software that could
> be
> loaded on any of their platforms. But, I'm willing
> to
> bet through usability studies Microsoft as realized
> users feel more comfortable purchasing a CD that is
> dedicated to only running an email server. Non Linux
> people do not understand that once you've purchased
> a
> quality disrto that's all you need. Instead if
> fighting this mentality work with it. Offer a
> version
> of Mandrake that works as a direct drop in for
> exchange server and that is all it does. I thing I'm
> like most users and would prefer a X user interface.
> I
> suggest Xfce because it's surprisingly stable as
> well
> as fast. Create a GUI interface similar to Mandrake
> control center that only deals with the day to day
> email tasks an admin encounters. Like
> adding/removing
> users, creating email lists, etc. Because you are
> not
> dealing with the end user not providing the source
> on
> your website is ok. In fact most users wound not
> even
> want the "Mini" distro because it would not have
> games
> or other fun stuff. Just include the source in the
> box.
>
> The second "Mini" disrto would be a Samba file
> server
> with raid capabilities. This is an area I really
> believe Mandrake can provide a better product than
> what is currently out there. I think the name is
> fairly explanatory but here is a description anyway.
> The Samba File and Print Server would be a platform
> users could save files to as well as take files
> from.
> It would be the way to allow all computers on a
> network to "talk" to each other. Raid capabilities
> would have to be an option since this is where most
> of
> the cooperate information would be held. The added
> benefit of creating a "Mini" File Server would be
> that
> Mandrake would have a platform that is standardized
> and ready to accept Oracle, SAP, open, database
> types.
>
> Third would be a Print server. Having a stand alone
> print server might sound like overkill but I have
> been
> in environments that are tree killing factories
> 5000+
> printings is not uncommon. Plus at my current work
> it
> always seams like the print servers mess up the
> most.
>
> Fourth, Backup server. I couldn't decide if this
> should be it's own server or part of the File
> server.
> I guess it could be either. Unfortunately I'm not
> very
> familiar with Linux backup schemes so I can't really
> speak about the capibilities of applications
> currently
> available. Currently we use Veritas and I hate it.
>
> Fifth, Business user and Admin "Mini". I could be
> wrong here but I feel for the general business user
> Mandrake is too much. What would be better would be
> a
> business directed desktop that Has one of the best
> of
> everything. (Ie. One cd burner, one editor, one
> spreadsheet application) The reason for this and I
> know from experience general users do not like
> change.
> If they become accustomed to one way of performing a
> process and change will cause them to piss and moan.
> I
> remember one person in particular that argued with
> me
> for 15 minutes that his outdated version of EZ CD
> Creator (One of the best windows applications) was
> better than the newer more updated version I was
> providing him with. Also, Care should be taken to
> provide a BUSINESS oriented desktop. I know Mandrake
> is trying to retain it's own identity but I can
> already hear my CEO complaining that his computer is
> to childish and because of that he wants windows
> back.
> Please could more people add in here as to what
> applications business would require. I'm thinking
> what
> ever programs work with MS Office extensions .doc
> most
> importantly. A PDF viewer and if it's available
> creator. Remember this would be for a business
> enviornment. You cannot simply tell a user that .doc
> or .pdf files are bad (which they are) you need to
> find a way to work with what are considered industry
> standard. finally, An admin account that has full
> access to all servers from a single computer. Is VNC
> a
> viable solution? The Administrator account would
> have
> the ability to change all aspects of any server. I'm
> not sure if this should just be root on all boxes on
> the network and just have a password for logging on
> to
> the servers or have a dedicated account that is the
> only one that can change server aspects. Again this
> is
> something I'll need more feedback on so let me know
> or
> preferably just post to cooker directly
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> I know this is a huge list of demands. Hopefully
> they
> won't get rejected because I am truly trying to give
> Mandrake feedback from a business perspective.
>
> Shad
>
>
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=====
SI Reasoning
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