On 3/28/06, Oded Arbel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Monday, 27 בMarch 2006 18:48, Yonah Russ wrote: > > Secondly, Israel could just as easily install totally free and > > totally opensource linux on all the pcs. It doesn't because it would > > be much harder to support- ie. you need more than an 18 year old with > > 1/2g brain power to run a base's network, you don't get to call Linus > > 24/7 if you have a problem, and you can't pay for it in FMF (AFAIK > > the army logistics units don't know how to use anything "free") > > I admin that I thought IGLU would be the last place to see Microsoft > propaganda, but well - we learn something new every day :-) > > IDF do not deploy Linux system (generally - there are some units that do > use Linux in some specific, non-general computing, systems) is not > because its much harder to support (hint - it isn't), but because its > perceived to be harder to support and/or not good enough by the powers > that be.
I didn't say that it is harder to support - but the method which the army uses to provide technical/network support would not be effective. Currently the army trains a couple soldiers per base to provide basic windows support- ie. to install windows, applications, printers, and add users. Backups, server maintenance, etc. are reserved for offsite support which from what I've seen is not much better trained. I have no clue how many days of training these people go through before they get placed in their units but I'm convinced that most of their training is "On the Job". You, in general, can not give your average 18year old in Israel a week long course in Linux and expect him to be capable of maintaining a base full of Linux stations. Additionally, the overbearing control of the domain is not present in Linux and although I'm sure there must be some software which allows you to control the settings of users and groups across a huge linux network, it is probably not free. Also- I've mentioned before that I don't think the IDF knows logistically, how to use something which is free. They can only use software which they can buy with support (unless they develop it themselves). In which case, it is safe to assume that there is a much greater number of companies who are willing to provide windows support and training in Israel as opposed to Linux. As such, chances are that the Windows support will always be cheaper and always win in a Michraz. I personally think Microsoft is aweful but the IDF lives on MS-Office. As much as I am capable of using Open Office for my daily needs- it isn't a realistic replacement for the army. It is slow, big, ugly, the powerpoint is useless, and there is no outlook. Maybe evolution is better now a days (I have no reason to use anything like outlook for personal use). Linux is definately getting better for desktops but it's not there yet. :( > I thought it was up to us to educate the general populace (and the > generals) about it, not spread more FUD. > > Also, there are several computer companies in Israel, which I'm sure > would love to do business with the IDF to support Linux systems on a > 24/7 basis. Its not like the IDF calls Bill Gates whenever they have > problems with Windows - probably because he won't have time to sleep at > all ;-) Like I said above- the competition for windows support will always get you lower prices than on Linux support in Israel. Also- in order to apply for a michraz for the MOD you have to meet some pretty big criteria. ie. be a chevra ba'am, have a machzor of over $x/year, have more than y employees-which also probably rules out a bunch of the Linux support companies. yonah > > -- > Oded > > ::.. > "In a survey taken several years ago, all incoming freshman at MIT were > asked if they expected to graduate in the top half of their class. > Ninety-seven percent responded that they did." >
