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Dr. Randy Appleton rappleto@nmu.edu (Movie). Converting To Linux. About the Talk. I assume you already run windows. I assume you already have heard of Linux. I assume you’re not a Linux expert. Some of this is opinion. . Do People Convert?. Italian school district converts 2,400.
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Dr. Randy Appleton rappleto@nmu.edu (Movie) Converting To Linux
About the Talk • I assume you already run windows. • I assume you already have heard of Linux. • I assume you’re not a Linux expert. • Some of this is opinion.
Do People Convert? • Italian school district converts 2,400. • Dreamworks has 1,500 desktops and 3,500 servers. • French Ministry of Agriculture converted 500 servers. • Lots of examples
Definition • Distribution – Linux packaged with lots of apps and support. • RedHat • Ubuntu • Lots of others
Reasons to Convert • Linux is free • Don’t need to go to the store. • Don’t need to pay. • Don’t need to check for compliance. • Don’t need to check for employee’s compliance. • And you don’t have to pay for MS Office!
Reasons to Convert • Linux is free • Can hand it out to workers. • Can hand it out to friends. • Can hand it to anyone.
Reasons to Convert • Better Security • Linux is virus free. • Linux is IE free. • Linux does not get virii • Mostly …
Reasons to Convert • Lots of applications • OpenOffice • Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc. • MySQL • GAIM • MP3 players • Everything …Pre-installed.
Reasons to Convert • Easier Install. • Apps and OS install at the same time • no Office disks. • Everything works out of the box. • Laptop’s work generally. • Windows come pre-installed on the hardware.
Reasons to Convert • Linux can be locked down • Keep non-technical people from trying to admin their machine. • Has a kiosk mode. • Each admin can handle more desktops.
Reasons to Convert • Linux is smaller than Windows • Damn Small Linux is 40MB total. • Linux on a stick! • Ubuntu is one CD-ROM including OpenOffice. • RedHat is 4 CD-ROMs including OpenOffice. • Works better on cheaper hardware too.
Reasons to Convert • Linux can remote boot easily. • Bunch of dumb clients. • One server. • Clients come and go … no one cares. • Easy admin for large homogenous groups. • Workers • Kiosk
Reasons to Convert • Change is coming • Don’t convert to Vista • Convert to Linux
Things Linux Does Better • Linux is better at networking • Can access every type of file system I’ve ever heard of. (e.g. Samba) • Can access your desktop remotely (built in). • Can access your command line remotely (built in). • Has lots of utilities built in (traceroute, ethereal, etc.) • Free firewalling and routing.
Things Linux Does Better • Can Admin from Home! • Really • Truly • Generally • Already installed
Things Linux Does Better • Linux is a better email server • Handle huge volumes on archaic machines. • Check for spam • Check for virii • Keep logs • All free
Things Linux Does Better • Web Serving • Apache comes installed • PHP, Python, Perl, MYSQL come installed. • Log analyzers come installed. • All free
Things Linux Does Better • Better online support (IMHO). • Web Pages • Newsgroups • Etc. • There is a social network too • But Windows has a better one.
Things Linux Does Better • Contracted support options • Lots of options for each distribution • 21 for Ubuntu in USA • $30 per incident, $100 per client, $400 per server from Canonical.
Reasons to Stay With Windows • Everyone knows windows. • Reduces training costs • Admins can be cheaper to hire • Some people hate computers and hate change. • But everyone can change if needed.
Reasons to Stay With Windows • Office is compatible with itself. • OpenOffice is pretty close. • Newer OpenOffice is pretty close indeed. • But it’s not perfect.
Reasons to Stay With Windows • Windows has every possible app, Linux does not. • Financial apps • Vendor supplied apps • Special web sites (FEMA) • Can dual boot, run Wine, etc.
Reasons to Stay With Windows • Windows has a better GUI • More consistent. • Gnome and KDE are working on this • More refined. • Linux is good, Windows is better.
Reasons to Stay With Windows • You already know Windows • But you want to learn • And you like to learn • And it’s better for your resume
Converting Strategies • Convert all at once. • Works best for small groups. • Convert yourself. • Test. • Come in over the weekend. • Convert everyone. • Fix problems as they arise. • Don’t screw it up; get everyone on board.
How To Convert • Convert gradually. • Convert yourself. • Test • Carefully pick a person or small group. • Convert them. • Wait for things to settle. • Repeat.
How To Convert • Convert Gradually (cont). • Your hope is to get internal champions. • You will need to manage both systems for a while.
How To Convert • Convert the servers, but not the clients • Email, file, print, identity servers. • Get a machine (even a cheap one). • Install software and test outside of production. • Swap it with the original server. • Low hassle. • Possibly most bang for the buck. • Need to learn to systems.
How to Convert • Gradual Approach • Convert yourself • Convert a server or two • Convert an interest tech-oriented person. • Keep converting. • Works well
What I Chose • Our department runs on two Linux servers. • My work desktop is a Linux client. • My laptop dual boots. • Our Tivo runs Linux. • Our Linksys runs Linux. • My home machine runs Windows • Came pre-installed • Runs AOL • Runs kids games