Linux Instead of Windows XP For Corporate Users?

As an IT Manager, I am often asked by staff and especially by senior management, what will happen with Microsoft and the move to Vista should we be looking at Linux instead? Well, as a long standing user and installer of XP Professional based systems, I have become a big fan of the stability and functionality of the system, but have always had a close eye on Linux and how it is improving for use as a desktop system replacement.

Tux Penguin

The recent introduction of Vista has been a god send for most Linux users, as it has been shown to be bloated in functionality, and not suitable for most of the PC systems that are in place in an ordinary corporate environment. The requirement for Aero is quite extensive, and most of the businesses I have worked for in recent times have not had enough decent PC stock to consider using Vista. I know you can turn it all off, but what is the point in spending all that money to turn features off? I would consider it a big challenge to produce a supporting recommendation to install Vista in a workplace, and with the problems it has introduced, it has made it a lot easier to consider such alternatives as Linux.

The other aspects to Vista that have caused issues are the redesigned network stack and also User Access Control (UAC) . UAC can be tamed with various tools, to become almost invisible, but for an Administrator, it is one more issue to have to contend with. The networking stack is another bone of contention, and getting it to play nicely with XP in a common network environment is also something to deal with.

I am always amazed when Microsoft churns out another piece of OS software, at how little is done to make things easier for the people that manage their software on a daily basis, yes the poor Techs and Administrators. Managing a roll out, or an SOE is always a challenge, but Microsoft just keep throwing a spanner in the works!

I have been considering a locked down version of SUSE, as I have also been an administrator for a lot of Novell based server Operating Systems in the past, and kept an eye on their product range. I think that cnet made a valid point in an article on the same subject, by stressing the cost effectiveness comparison of installing Linux against installing Vista.

I for one am particularly impressed with SUSE, and have had a very positive experience with installing it, both singly, or in multi boot mode with Vista or XP. The use of other technologies such as Wine or Crossover have made it a lot more interesting when considering that final migration step. Senior Managers are always focused on the bottom line dollar, and will always show interest when you mention the financial benefits.

Consideration points when thinking of taking the step include:

User Training

How will the users cope with the switch, what will the training cost? Can it be done in house?

How will your application base cope?

A stringent testing plan will need to be put in place for all those bespoke applications that have been created to run on XP etc.

Which applications can be used natively?

Which of your application set can be run natively on Linux, can you use Linux based applications instead? Applications such as Firefox, OpenOffice, Samba etc can cover most of your major requirements, depending of course on your business model.

Once you examine all the issues, and you have determined that you have a suitable budget and the time to do it, the process of migrating becomes manageable. I am seriously considering it within the next two year timeframe, and have already raised a proposal to roll it out on some Mini-ITX type boards for our Library users who need Internet access. The plan is to retain the Steadystate PCs and add in a few Linux PCs for each Library. They will be imaged from a server using PXE Boot type processes. I have already been in contact with someone in the US who has managed such a process for his Libraries, and I think it will be an interesting experiment. I will cover the use of Steadystate to lock up XP type PCs in a future article.

Steely Dan – A Review Of Donald Fagens Work

I must confess to being a life long fan of Steely Dan, probably from around 1974 or so, but mostly starting around 1978-80 during what I believe to be there most productive period, the making of ‘Aja‘ and subsequently ‘Gaucho‘.

Donald Fagen - Perth 2007

The sheer talent displayed by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in the production of these two masterpieces, has to be heard to be truly appreciated. I was fortunate enough recently, to have been able to see the duo in action during their visit to Australia. I put myself at odds with the security people during the concert, as I felt an urgent need to take some snaps with my Canon EOS 400D, which is more commonly known in the US as the ‘Rebel’. Here for example is Don Fagen doing his best Ray Charles impersonation at the piano.

Don has always impressed me with his intellect, and his personality. He seems almost to be reticent sometimes, but due to the nature of his work, he seems to take on a different persona. Regardless, a very impressive man with an obvious love for his work. I scored a copy of his DVD entitled ‘Donald Fagen – Concepts For Jazz/Rock Piano‘ through Amazon, and if there was any doubt about his musical talent, and his ability to impart technical knowledge, then this DVD dispels that.

Within the DVD, he takes apart some of his musical compositions from his career such as ‘Chain Lightning’, ‘Josie’, ‘Peg’, in addition to some of his solo projects from ‘Kamakiriad‘ and ‘The Nightfly‘. Don has a seemingly generous nature, and the more complex parts of his personality come out when he works with Walter Becker on their Steely Dan projects.

My favourite solo work from Don was the 1982 Nightfly album, which came with some interesting tracks including an unexpected rework of ‘Ruby Baby’. All of the Donald Fagen tracks are interesting in their difference from his work with Walter Becker. The question has often been asked, who had the most influence in creating their sound? Well, I believe the partnership was equal, but on listening to both Walts solo projects and Dons, I believe that the musical sound was driven by Don and his wonderful keyboard work.

Dons 1993 follow up, if you can call an album that appears 11 years later a follow up, was also a unique sound. According to Don his latest solo work, ‘Morph The Cat‘ was the final work in a trilogy involving the first two. His reasoning was that the music had a logical theme, from a young man, middle aged man, to his current state.

Whatever the reasoning, I am glad to have had the pleasure of enjoying his solo output, as I am sure you will!

Sharing Knowledge

I have reached an age where I feel I have enough knowledge to share with others, knowledge that is meaningful and has merit.  I have always been reluctant before this time, which is probably related to the age I was, and how I felt about my place in the world.

My main area of expertise is Information Technology, a field I have been employed in for over twenty years now.   It is definitely a field which has not stood still, even for a few minutes and the constant change is probably what keeps it fresh .  I cannot imagine being in a field in which I learned everything in a couple of years, and then relied on that knowledge for the rest of my career.

I will be focusing my efforts over the next year or so on a book I am writing which details all my experience in IT, and passes on the knowledge that I have gained in the many different places I have worked, both in Australia and Overseas as a contractor.

The work has been going on now for a month or so, and I have reached the 10,000 word mark, which is a nice landmark.  I have already created all the chapter headings, and will release some of it here as I get it polished and ready.

IT is not my only interest, although it is where I earn my keep!   I have a lifelong interest in Astronomy, Photography, Philosophy, Music especially: Steely Dan, Jamiroquai, Tool, and any other bands who fall into the same genre.   I have won prizes for both my photography and for my writing, although I do not do any of these things for that purpose.   However, it is nice to know that whatever you output is appreciated in some way.

I also enjoy reading a great deal, and will be creating some reviews for the books and music that I enjoy.

Thank you.