SI Reasoning,
I completely agree. When you install Red Hat 7.1 there
is a server as well as a laptop option during install.
The reason I suggested a separate distro is so
Mandrake can make a few extra bucks. Business don't
care how much something costs. And most end users
don't have a need for corporate level email support.
(designed to handle 100's of users)Also Microsoft is
currently raping exchange users.
The second idea a samba file server distro with raid
support is ideal. If Mandrake ever wants to get into
database development racket like Red Hat having a
platform they created would be ideal for creating
customer loyalty.
Again SI I completely agree with you all these options
could be included in the regular Mandrake CD. It's
just for corporate users most could care less about
having a full distro. They just want what works and
don't mind paying for it. Plus most end users won't
want a stripped down business version or one dedicated
to a specific task.
Shad
--- SI Reasoning <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> 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
> >
> >
> > =====
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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>
> =====
> SI Reasoning
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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>
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