Linux on theDesktop

J. Scott ChristiansonOwner

Experience/EducationWorked for a consortium

of schools for eight yearsOwn and operate

Kaleidoscope ConsultingFirewall InstallationNetwork DesignM.A., Educational

Technology, The George Washington University.

CertificationsCISSPSANS GIACMCSECisco CNA 1.0, 2.0CVENACSE Senior

Network SpecialistSonicwall SCSANetwork +, etc.

J. Scott Christianson

Ripening of Linux as a Desktop Operating System

New features/releases for LinuxStaroffice/openoffice 6.0MozillaNew linux kernal (better file system)Distributions simplified install/updates

Microsoft licensingSP2-modifications to license OEM ties to hardwareExpense for schools to keep legal

Linux on the DesktopWhat is linux?What is open source licensing?Graphical interfaces.Office applications and other common

applications (email, web browsing).Let’s take a look.

Applications (Office, Email)

Deciding if it is for you.

What is Linux?

Linux is a “Kernel” developed and maintained by Linus Torvalds in collaborations with several hundreds of fellow programmers, aka Kernel programmers.

Like in any other operating system, the kernel is the essence of the operating system and provides resources to other programs and systems

Open SourceUnlike most popular operating systems for the

PC, Linux has been released under a modified version of the GPL (General Public License).

This leases allow for free distribution of the source code and puts some restrictions on modification:If you use within your organization, you don’t have to

release your contributionsIf you distribute externally (especially for a profit),

you must also release source code contributions. Many of the programs that run on Linux also

follow this basic licensing scheme.

Graphical InterfaceWindows/Macintosh model:

Manufacturer of the kernel also provides a graphical interface with basic user interaction

Linux supports a plethora of GUIs or “desktops.” The most popular are:

KDEGnomeRedhat “Blue Curve”

KDE Desktop

Gnome Desktop

Office Applications

KOFFICE KSpreadKPresenterKLllustratorKWordKFormulaKChartKImageKatabaseKoHTMLKImageShop

STAROFFICEStarCalcStarImpressStarDrawStarWriterStarMathStarChartStarImageStarBaseStarMailStarSchedule

OpenOffice.org

Distributions or “Distros”

Bundle Kernel, GUI, Applications, etc. all together with an easy to use installer

RedHat, SUSE, Mandrake, TurboLinux, Slackware, etc.

Total number of recognized “Distros”321Each with different goals from http://old.lwn.net/Distributions/

Software Install/Updates

RPM or Redhat Package Manager has become a defacto standard

Distros provide an easy means of deploying patches (e.g., YAST on SUSE)

Networking

SAMBA service allows for access to Windows shares and sharing of local resources

Can log into domains Linux is a multi-user operating system.

Linux on Macintosh HW

Yellow Dog Linux will work on PowerPC-based Macintosh computers

www.yellowdoglinux.com

Deciding if it is for youWhile there is a decrease in cost for

licensing/applications, there is an increased cost in time/talent.

Cost for Redhat or SUSE personal edition (bundled Openoffice, evolution, etc)~$40

If you are not using, start a trial program for early adopters to encourage them and let them teach you from their mistakes

A good argument can be made that all operating systems will be Open Source ten years from now.

Resources

http://www.desktoplinux.com/http://www.schoolforge.net/ http://www.opensource.org/ http://www.openoffice.org/ http://www.linux.org/ http://www.suse.com/http://www.redhat.com/http://www.mozilla.org/