Linux-Based Public Workstations:Issues and Application

Session: B202

Perry HornerCoordinator of Library Technology Support & Development

ASU at the West Campus Fletcher Library

P_Horner@asu.edu

Introduction

• Disruptive Technology

Introduction

• Disruptive Technology– Windows 95

Introduction

• Disruptive Technology– Windows 95

– Mac OS X

Introduction

• Disruptive Technology– Windows 95

– Mac OS X

–Linux

Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term– Transfer of skills and expertise and combine

related activities to reduce cost and support goals

Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term– Transfer of skills and expertise and combine

related activities to reduce cost and support goals

• Market, Management, Operation

Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term– Transfer of skills and expertise and combine

related activities to reduce cost and support goals

• Market, Management, Operation

• Linux must exist harmoniously in all three to be successful

Metrics

• Cost

Metrics

• Cost

• Service

Metrics

• Cost

• Service

• Flexibility

Metrics

• Cost

• Service

• Flexibility

• Ease of Maintenance

Metrics

• Cost

• Service

• Flexibility

• Ease of Maintenance

• User Satisfaction

Knowledge & Resources for Success

• The Linux Desktop– Feet first

• Linux Servers– man pages, config files

• Linux Community– User groups, forums, lists, Web

Implications with Users and Staff

At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your litmus test

• Interface design– Choose a desktop manager– Customize your look and feel environment

Implications with Users and Staff

At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your litmus test

• Process control– Attractors– Visible instructions– Intuitiveness

Implications with Users and Staff

At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your litmus test

• Application offerings– Many choices– Many compromises

Implications with Users and Staff

• Web browsers

• Support Applications

• Printing

• Saving to removable media

• No A:

Implications with Users and Staff

Industry Example (Ovid)function printRecords(){ if (validateRange()) { if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Netscape/7.0") != -1) { // Netscape 7.0x alert("Sorry, your browser doesn't support this feature. To print records, click the

Preview button, click in the frame containing the records and then select Print from your browser File menu.");

return; } with (parent.content.document.forms[0]) { action="previewBriefRecordsHidden.ws"; view_origin.value = "main_view"; target="preview"; method="get"; // Need to set method to get to get Netscape 4.7 to print submit(); } }}

Specialized Linux Environments

• LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project)

• Live CDs

• Embedded Systems

• Fat Clients

• Combination of some or all [Fletcher Library]

Conclusion

• Rewarding and fulfilling experience

• Enables freedom in application design, development, behavior, and presentation

• Removes umbilical cord to commercial vendors product roadmap

• Companies large and small are reaping benefits

Questions?

Is your library ready for the next disruptive technology?…

Questions?

Is your library ready for the next disruptive technology?…

LINUX

Questions?

Is your library ready for the next disruptive technology?…

LINUX