How To Create a Linux Network for Peanuts

securitas writes: LinuxWorld has the first installment of a series on how to go from being a Windows based shop to a Linux one." One of the article's points, one that I strongly agree with, is how overpowered the machines are that most people buy.

Comments

Re:Regarding 'overpowered' machines.

[SuiteSisterMary]

SparcStation 4s and 5s and the like make wonderful X terminals.

agreed.

[Meorah]

I think the article is great. I think it makes perfect sense to admins who are concerned with saving costs.

Of course, I'd probably be fired if I suggested that any of my company's clients "share" workstations. Since most of them are in the business industry, they use their desktop or notebook to help portray their "executive" image. Somehow, I just can't see too many of our clients giving up their laptop for a dummy terminal.

And lets not forget that usually businesses bring visitors through their offices... lots of those visitors are potential customers or partners. NONE of those potential customers or partners is going to appreciate the technical marvel and efficiency of running p75s all around the office. It hurts your image to leave that crap laying around in plain sight, which is why most business managers who want to be viewed as "cutting technology leaders" are so interested in having nice shiny new PCs all around the office. It helps them make more money, and that's what they're all about.

You can argue this til the cows come home, but you might as well be arguing with a brick wall. I've seen the point of view that business execs use, and they certainly aren't successful because they're stupid. On the same level, when's the last time you ever saw a manager show up at work who wasn't dressed to impress? They want P4s, spotless datacenters, and the newest Windows on their desktops. Do they mind if their network admin puts Linux on the servers? nope, because they EXPECT servers to look foreign to them (usually). Enough rambling, I hope I've at least made some of you techno-freaks realize that technology is only a means to an end, nothing more.