Another day in paradise

So it’s raining outside today. A really crappy day, but always good to listen to some good music and see what there is to be done. Thank god I’ve got my washing dry

I’ve been working on a couple of pet projects this week. The first one is something I believe is likely to become a hot topic in the coming years, that is Linux Desktops for Education. I’m a realist when it comes to things like this. While I believe the Linux desktop has come into it’s own, and if it was like it is now 5 years back I probably wouldn’t have started with OS X (and I love OS X for desktop, and Linux for servers). For schools to use Linux as a desktop OS, it needs to have a few things:

1. The Tools (OpenOffice et al go a long way towards this)
2. Workstation Lockdown (while this is important to schools, it’s an interesting topic - probably one for another day)
3. Support

The Tools

There are some AWESOME open source desktop applications around, OpenOffice being one of those great apps. The GIMP is a PhotoShop replacement, InkScape does a great job of replacing Illustrator, we all love Firefox, and the list goes on. It’s becomes more difficult when we get into bespoke areas which different systems are well known for. For example, most schools are using Mac’s for iMovie, and while there are more great OSS alternatives (Kino - for the smaller projects, or Cinelerra - for the Final Cut replacement) they have a little more of a learning curve which doesn’t match nicely with classroom time.

Workstation Lockdown

This is an interesting debate. There are two sides I’m aware of:

1. Lockdown so they can’t break it
2. Don’t lockdown, if they break it, they can’t use it

Support

This is an interesting one. If you pick something under a Ministry of Education agreement, you’re likely to have support while the agreement is around, and then need to decide if you’re going to continue with it (I can tell you the support is still available, and generally at a reasonable cost - I’m not having a stab here :P). This is where most schools run into trouble and run around with their heads cut off. (This only happens because no one has planned for it, that’s all).

You’ll be pleased to know support for Linux is more available than you would care to know. There are many local resources available, and companies which are able to provide server or desktop support for Linux (my company being one of them). You’d also be pleased to know should you not like your local support company there are many companies and individuals all over the world who are able to provide support. The company which is the commercial part of Ubuntu is Canonical Ltd which offer very modestly priced support plans, including remote access and phone support. (Keeping in mind Linux is generally secure, and easily setup for remote support).

Just like any other support service you employ, if you’re not happy with one, find another. AND you mileage will vary. I can tell you now, I’ve heard so often that person X knows Linux, but all they’ve ever done is install a desktop system - this isn’t very hard these days, the developers of desktop systems compile all the modules under the sun so it’s easy to install (that’s why you’re hearing about Linux more these days). If they’re offering Linux support, and they’re running Linux servers with a full time GUI (better know as an X Server or X Windows Server), RUN, run very fast. Anyone in the know will tell you a Linux server is best run without a GUI because the overhead is too much - sure you can turn X off or on, but that’s not a full time GUI. (NB: This is different to the LTSP which will run an X server most of the time, but that’s the point ).

So What’s the Deal?

Try Linux Desktops, make sure they will do what your users are expecting them to do. Make sure they’re easy for them to use, and that the support is available when you need it.

Linux is great, most of the world’s most stable systems run on some form of unix system (Linux/BSD/Sun etc…)

If you would like to find out more about Linux Desktop, Active Directory Integration, or to have a look contact me via http://www.totali.co.nz/. I’ve setup (and manage) a lot of Linux systems, most of them remotely which do just what the doctor ordered.