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Up Close with Linux

Up Close with Linux. BiMBA , Fall 1999 Dr. Jason Chen Gonzaga University Spokane, WA 99223. Agenda. What is Linux? How is it used? Comparing to Windows How can you use Linux? Learning more A Demonstration…. Why all this excitement?. USA Today CNN features Wall Street Journal

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Up Close with Linux

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  1. Up Close with Linux BiMBA, Fall 1999 Dr. Jason Chen Gonzaga University Spokane, WA 99223

  2. Agenda • What is Linux? • How is it used? • Comparing to Windows • How can you use Linux? • Learning more • A Demonstration…

  3. Why all this excitement? • USA Today • CNN features • Wall Street Journal • Fortune magazine cover story • InfoWorld. PC Week, Communications Week, …

  4. Why all this excitement? • Compaq to provide Linux systems • HP porting management tools to Linux • IBM announces Linux strategy • Sun and many others announced Linux binary support • Oracle, Sybase, Informix, CA, Corel, ...

  5. What Is Linux? • A complete UNIX® clone • A powerful server operating system • A Desktop operating system (for some) • An OpenSource™/free software project • Linux has approx. 10 million users • Linux is growing at over 20%/yr. (IDC)

  6. What Is Linux? • OpenSource™ software • Source code included • Rapid development • Sharing improvements • Security issues • Rapid patch release • Scoured source code

  7. What Is Linux? • Hardware support • Networking (Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI, Token, Arcnet) • Video cards (VGA to high-end 3D) • CD-ROM drives and writers; Jaz, Zip, tape • Sound cards, mixers, scanners • CPUs: Intel, Alpha, Sparc, PowerPC, 68K • Full laptop support • Over 50 brands: Sony, IBM, Toshiba, Dell, Compaq…

  8. Linux Features • True preemptive multitasking (vs. cooperative multitasking) • Multi-user • Highly stable • Full graphical system • All Internet protocols

  9. Linux Features (Internet) • Internet clients (Netscape, etc.) • Routing protocols (DNS, NIS, TCP/IP, IPX, SMB) • Data protocols (Web, FTP, Email, News, Gopher, many others) • Security features • Proxy servers • Included or add-on Firewalls

  10. How is Linux Used? • Increasingly for individual use • Software development • Personal productivity applications • UNIX workstation • 48% of Linux purchased at retail is by new customers (Caldera Systems internal research)

  11. How is Linux Used • Still primarily a server system • DNS name server • Internet router/gateway • Email server • Web server • FTP server • Terminal/dial-in server • Web server statistics from Net Craft

  12. Comparing Linux & Windows • Linux runs fewer applications (is getting more and more now) • Linux is not as easy to use • Linux administration is not entirely graphical • Linux is an unknown (???) • But...

  13. Comparing Linux & Windows • Reliability • Many Linux servers run for years in production environ-ments without going down • Remote management allows fewer administrators to manage more boxes • Hardware support and other features can be loaded/unloaded on the fly

  14. Comparing Linux & Windows • Ease-of-use • Linux is easier to install than Windows NT • Linux graphical tools are multiplying rapidly • System administrators can access all parts ofthe system

  15. Comparing Linux & Windows • Speed • Tests by vendors and independent labs show Linux beats NT as a Web server • Less hardware -> greater throughput • CPU priorities • Other Benchmarks

  16. Comparing Linux & Windows • Cost • Free download • $49 product with a manual and tech support • Support contracts available • Purchase add-on products • Oracle • Secure Web servers • Educational products

  17. What Does Linux Run? • Linux has over 2,500 native applications • Major databases and Web servers • Scientific and specialized applications • Personal productivity tools • Application lists • www.linuxapps.com • SAL.KachinaTech.COM/index.shtml

  18. What Does Linux Run? • DOS applications (including graphical) • SCO UNIX/UnixWare (iBCS2-compliant) • Sun Solaris for Intel • Windows 3.1 (16-bit) applications in emulation • Office, WordPerfect, Quicken, Lotus • Requires a separate product, Wabi or Wine

  19. How Can You Use Linux? • The Learning curve is not as steep now • Basic computer understanding and a technical friend are all you require • Expense is zero to minimal

  20. How Can You Use Linux? • 1. Download or buy Linux ($49) • I recommend OpenLinux 2.2 with Windows-based installation for new users • 2. Install on a Pentium system • Installation with a CD • Hard disk partitioning and graphical configuration are the challenge • 3. Play with it for two weeks • Connect to the Internet, try the Web server • Try running your key applications

  21. How Can You Use Linux? • Web site for Distance Learning • Department File/Print server (NT replacement) • College router/name server/email server • UNIX development workstation • Computer science training (source code complete)

  22. How Can You Learn More? • Linux Training is available nationwide • Caldera Systems and partners • Hewlett-Packard • Learning Tree • Others • Courses • Course Technology

  23. How Can You Learn More? • Online resources (Introductory) • www.linuxjournal.com (also a printed magazine) • www.linuxworld.com (online magazine) • www.ldn.com (Linux Daily News) • Online resources (Technical) • www.linuxresources.com • www.linuxhq.com • www.slashdot.org

  24. How Can You Learn More? • Books and Magazines • InfoWorld, ZDNet (online), many other magazines cover Linux news • Teach Yourself Linux in 24 Hours, Bill Ball, SAMS • Hands on Linux, Mark Sobell, Addison Wesley • The No BS Guide to Linux, Bob Rankin • How To Use Linux (graphical), Bill Ball • Specialized titles: KDE, StarOffice, WP, Web

  25. Where Can You Get Linux? • Product vendors • Caldera Systems, Inc. (Business leader) • Red Hat Software (market share leader) • Suse (German company; Calif. offices) • Walnut Creek (Slackware distribution) • Retail • Borders/Barnes and Noble • www.linuxmall.com • www.linuxcentral.com

  26. Questions and Comments? • Linux is growing rapidly • Stability and low cost make it ideal for educational settings • Many employers will need Linux expertise in the next 24 months • I welcome comments and progress notes as you explore the fascinating world of Linux.

  27. A Demonstration… • Installation (initial steps) • The Desktop interface • Administration tools • Applications

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