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Linux in Canada

Posted by michael on from the northern-lights dept.

Flxstr writes "Lots of Linux articles in Canada's national newspaper today, starting with Calgary switching from SUN Unix to Red Hat Linux. Another article discusses whether Linux will become a target for viruses as its popularity grows. This article mentions how Linux costs less, so more firms are becoming interested. Finally, an article discusses how pushes by major vendors such as IBM, HP, and others is speeding acceptance of Linux over other alternatives. Altogether, some good articles for any CIO's desk."

8 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. A more favourable environment for Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In my opinion, Canada is definitely a more favourable environment for Linux. Partly because of less Microsoft influence spreading FUD about it, and partly because they don't develop laws designed specifically to stifle technology like the DMCA and the Patriot act.
    I used to be proud to be an American because of our technological culture ... I'm not proud any more :(

    1. Re:A more favourable environment for Linux by Frymaster · · Score: 5, Interesting
      they don't develop laws designed specifically to stifle technology like the DMCA and the Patriot act.

      or the encryption/munitions legislation... why do you think the openbsd team resides in canada? (calgary in fact... i can see theo's house from my office window right now :))

      --

      2 1337 4 u!

    2. Re:A more favourable environment for Linux by Sepper · · Score: 4, Interesting

      and it was more Parisienne French instead of Quebecois French, which was what was promised.

      So true... don't know how much time I lost because the french Windows install default to AZERTY instead of QWERTY keyboard...

      "Dammit, Where was the 'M' Key again?"

      The devil is in the details

      --
      I live in Soviet Canuckistan you insensitive clod!
    3. Re:A more favourable environment for Linux by Ubergrendle · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Becuase we're bilingual, Canada insists all federal based systems, documentation, etc etc be included in both French and English. Its a necessity to win Federal contracts. And there *is* a formal recongised Canadian French version, similar to Internation English or UK English vs US English.

      Don't confuse regional dialect with formal language. I can find you some southern US drawls or english cockney that you would never understand!

      PS In general, Parissiene French have a very demeaning attitude towards the colonial french. I'm sure the differences were exaggerated as a matter of social convention.

      --
      John Maynard Keynes: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?"
  2. /me blushes. by benow · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Not only is the city now run on linux, but the Light Rail Transit system is powered by wind power. Go Calgary (about time they did something to balance all the non-renewable promotion coming from this town). Now, they just need to move the University away from Sun.

    A (Mostly) Proud Calgarian.

  3. Re:Less monoculture by I+confirm+I'm+not+a · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Linux plays nicely with the BSDs, Solaris, OS X, and most other operating systems

    I was off work, ill, and working from home (I'm a web-developer - SunONE-ASP on Raq boxes) and needed my girlfriend's XP laptop to talk to my server. Normally that's no problem - server runs Samba. But I didn't have SunONE ASP, so I had to use Microsoft IIS ASP (the server's dual-boot). Could I get a Windows XP laptop to talk to a Windows 2000 server? Could I hell! Now I accept I'm not the most capable Windows admin, but c'mon! How hard can it be!

    Moral: Linux plays nice with other operating systems. Windows barely gets along with earlier versions of Windows.

    --
    This is where the serious fun begins.
  4. Re:Viruses spread by stupidity not OS'es. by theNote · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is problem you need to address differently than just SUing.

    The idea of a username/password combo to protect resources is quickly becoming a thing of the past, as the trend to recognition of the individual continues.
    I for one can't wait to do away with uname/password headaches.
    For example, in a PKI/Smart Card/Biometric authentication system, your rights are based on who you are and not what uname/pass you have.

    In this scenario, what are you going to do?
    Impose some artificial barrier to privledge escalation?
    Any attempt will become nothing more than a "Are you _sure_ you want to execute this?."
    These kind of protections are already in windows, and users will inevitably click "yes".

  5. This is probably redundant by now... by meme_police · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...but Calgary should be switching to OpenBSD. They'd have plenty of top notch support nearby.

    --

    The meme police, They live inside of my head