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A Public Library's Linux Success Story

Joe Barr writes "What with the spate of professionally PR-generated FUD coming out of Redmond about Linux not being open source, or Windows having a lower TCO, and - believe it or not - even a claim that Windows is more reliable, it's good to read about some real world, grass-root results of successful migrations from Windows to Linux. This story at NewsForge takes a look at the Howard County (Maryland) Public Library's roll-out of over 200 public-use PCs, which used to run on Windows and now run on a custom Linux distribution called Lumix."

392 comments

  1. About time.... by dukeluke · · Score: 1, Funny

    I was getting tired of all the Microsoft advertisements - 'bout time we heard something from the 'competition'...

    1. Re:About time.... by Seth+Finklestein · · Score: 0

      As a certified cybersecurity consultant, let me be the first to tell you that libraries represent an enormous growth market for Linux. I showed the librarians how they could save over $15,000 by migrating just 30 workstations and terminals to Linux.

      1. Patrons used Windows-based kiosks that required at least a Pentium II 350 to run. By switching to a specially-tailored version of Linux that runs a lightweight X server with no window manager, we improved performance 500% without any new hardware investment!
      2. The librarians were downloading spyware using Internet Explorer -- and never realising it! We saved a huge amount of time and frustration by using Mozilla Firefox on Linux on their workstations. Because Linux doesn't support the notion of spyware, their computers always perform beautifully.
      3. Want to upgrade 500 computers automatically? With Debian or Gentoo, you get mature package frameworks for free. With Windows, you have to shell out $20,000 plus the cost of an MSCE to set up a Software Management Services server. Furthermore, the high volume of Windows security patches is compounded by the extreme urgency to apply them. My library could have been 0wned several thousand times over had it used Windows. Linux is far more secure.

      For more information, purchase my report, "Linux in Libraries: cost savings for the modern enterprise." It's only $58.99 while supplies last.

      --
      I'm not Seth Finkelstein. I still speak the truth.
    2. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      We've been hearing announcements of switches for years now. People are moving to Linux, a big win for Linux, so-and-so to migrate to Linux.....and this is merely the 3rd follow-up story that I've seen after years and years of supposed switches. The other two were Munich (cost more than MS and more than expected, took more time, was more complicated) and Ernie Ball (spite switch after BSA raid).

      Are all these tons of other switchers happily chugging along on Linux, and Slashdot passed up the opportunity to crow about it? Yeah, I'm sure that's the case.

      Why don't we hear what happened in all the other switch attempts? We get a few cherry-picked stories, and that's it.

      Kinda sounds like....oh, I dunno.....FUD, maybe?

    3. Re:About time.... by jamonterrell · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      If you're tired of MS ads then why are you reading slashdot? The only site with more MS ads than slashdot is hotmail.

      --
      I can count to 1023 on my hands. Ask me about #132.
    4. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Wow, what's up with you? It's interesting when people migrate to Linux. This story is particularly nice because of the public-library angle (arguably, Ben Franklin, institutor of the first public libraries in the colonies, was a founding father of open source ideas ;-) ).

      Uh, this is in no way FUD (fear, uncertainty, distrust): FUD is misleading statements to prevent people from trying what they don't know.

      The phrase you want is "propaganda". But I still think you're wrong. It's cheerleading maybe. Nothing wrong with that. So what? If you're not interested, don't read it.

      Cheers!

    5. Re:About time.... by the+chao+goes+mu · · Score: 1

      I suppose it is true that 20,000 + savings of cheaper hardware > 15000. But wouldn't it make more sense to say "saved over 20000" in the first paragraph. Just a tiny, relatively OT nit.

      --
      Boys from the City. Not yet caught by the Whirlwind of Progress. Feed soda pop to the thirsty pigs.
    6. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably more accurate - but I guess I'd rather read real stories that are accurate portrayals of what's really going on. I see some major flaws in Linux's usability and maintainability for non-pros, and I'm sort of rooting for it....but if we keep telling ourselves that "Everything's OK, TCO is better no matter what any rational study says, everyone can switch just boot the CD and everything's perfect and the drivers all work (LOL)" it isn't going to improve.

    7. Re:About time.... by megarich · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You wanna hear a success story? We've been mostly a unix shop since the dawn of time. Years before I arrived the dominant platform was aix and now its linux(has been for the past couple of years). Sure linux is not without its problems but in our high powered environment 1)we need the stablility/security 2)the costs we save is phenomenal. We only have to buy one copy of linux for an upgrade on some 70+ machines and that's that. Now compared to windows where you need 70+ copies/licenses of windows os, 70+ licenses of office, 70+ licenses anti-virus software crap and not to mention the TIME to patch all os'. Granted not all stories are like mine. Some will be positive, some neutral and some negative. But this is my story and I'm sticking to it!

    8. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thanks. Could you mod me up with one of your other accounts, please?

      Sincerely,
      Seth Finklestein
      Crusader for Freedom

    9. Re:About time.... by Valegor · · Score: 1

      Not taking sides here, but he asked for successful Windows to Linux conversion, not just places where Linux was installed successfully.

    10. Re:About time.... by Valegor · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think "what's up with him" is probably the same thing has really driven me away from Slashdot. This used to be a great news site but the slant has gotten too great. If you don't believe me just try to submit a story showing something negative that IBM has done and see if it gets posted. How about something defending microsoft or showing a flaw with Linux. The story will never be accepted. The ones that are accepted seem to always have some sort of editorial built into them. Look I love Linux as much as the next guy, but that doesn't mean that I have to see it through rose colored glasses. I see it's flaws as well as it's strengths which seems to be more than most people around here can do. I used to check this site constantly throughout the day, now I check it maybe once a week.

    11. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well I suppose if someone really was dumb, they could download something, open a shell, do chmod +x on it and then run it. But that's a far cry from the "ohh click me! click me!" spyware installs in windows.

      And presumably the library would have a script to clean up such user-installed junk on the next reboot.

    12. Re:About time.... by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      You must work at Gartner. They just complained that news about Linux being given a city contract somewhere is wrong because Windows doesn't get the same publicity. They - and you - ignore the fact that Windows is the dominant OS and therefore it is NOT news when it gets a contract.

      Gartner appears to be a marketing arm of Microsoft.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    13. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And you appear to be a presumptive zealot.

      I wasn't complaining about the reporting of this rather insignificant event, it's that we never hear the whole story - what about all those other alleged Linux switchers that haven't reported back? That's all.

      Slashdot appears to be a marketing arm of Linux.

    14. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amen. Exactly.

    15. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a pity the poster is a well known troll. I expect he is just trying to build up some karma.

      Well that's what I would do anyway. (-:

    16. Re:About time.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Slashdot appears to be a marketing arm of Linux."

      Um ... you're new here, aren't you?

    17. Re:About time.... by pfleming · · Score: 1

      Yeah- I'll bite. I migrated to Linux for my office. Windows is *only* there because of 2~3 web sites that don't get it. Some of the other software vendors are looking at porting. Until then, it's VMWare on top.
      Oh, and we went with K12LTSP due to it being prepackaged vs LTSP.

  2. not open source? by CoffeeJedi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    what was the FUD about Linux NOT being open source!? i missed that somewhere.... that sounds like MS desperately grasping at straws
    link please?

    --
    May you be touched by His Noodly Appendage. RAmen.
    1. Re:not open source? by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 5, Insightful
      what was the FUD about Linux NOT being open source!?

      This all relates to the SCO issue which is two-fold: SCO claims that Linux contains proprietary code, and second, that the GPL is invalid (they say unconstitutional!!!).

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    2. Re:not open source? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      See here See Here

    3. Re:not open source? by arvindn · · Score: 4, Informative
      Linux is not open source, says Microsoft

      You missed it because it broke just today.

    4. Re:not open source? by goldspider · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Of course the article title doesn't reflect what the Microsoft rep actually said.

      Headline: Linux is not Open Source
      Microsoft Rep: Open Source is not Linux

      I am suspicious of why TechWorld could so blatantly take Microsoft's quote so out of context.

      --
      "Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
    5. Re:not open source? by at_kernel_99 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I think this line of attack, as its called by the author of the article, can backfire. Their former argument was, and I paraphrase, that linux was created by a bunch of international hippie anarchists. Now they're saying Linux is a commercially developed operating system. Which sounds like a more legitimate product?

    6. Re:not open source? by Asprin · · Score: 1


      Some people just don't understand the directional arrows of logical implication. That think that "A implies B" automatically means that "B implies A". (Don't even THINK about trying to explain contrapositives!)

      That or it's a typo, in which case the editors (if t here is one) and proofreader should be shot.

      --
      "Lawyers are for sucks."
      - Doug McKenzie
    7. Re:not open source? by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 1

      They also have a nice FUD article on Mac OS X and security. While the exploits are there, I haven't heard of anyone that's been affected by them. While they called Sasser just a 'nip.' http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?News ID=1497

    8. Re:not open source? by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 1

      And it's pretty clear that Microsoft's Steve Vamos misunderstands (or more likely wants to obfuscate) what Open Source is. He wants you to think that because companies like Red Hat and SuSE market value added services and products that compliment their Linux distributions, that Linux is not free. Hmm... I downloaded RH9 and it didn't cost me a cent...

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    9. Re:not open source? by kiwimate · · Score: 2, Informative

      But this is addressed by the last three paragraphs of the article.

      Of course, all of this could be laughed off if it wasn't for the fact that he actually has a good point. Last week, Red Hat announced that it would no longer support Red Hat Linux 9. Instead, it is directing all users to its Red Hat Enterprise Linux Platform.

      And what's the difference between the two? Why, one is free and the other isn't. Guess which is which. Red Hat also announced yesterday that it is producing a desktop version that it will aim directly at enterprise customers - a move that it knows full well puts it directly in the way of Microsoft.

      Only time will tell whether Red Hat's growing confidence has caused it to face up to Microsoft too soon, but one thing is for certain - by appearing to cut ties with the open source movement, it has given Microsoft a new and potentially ruinous line of attack.

    10. Re:not open source? by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 1
      Last week, Red Hat announced that it would no longer support Red Hat Linux 9. Instead, it is directing all users to its Red Hat Enterprise Linux Platform.

      Ahhh yes, but there is still Fedora... Speaking of RH Enterprise, can the source be downloaded for free? I don't know *anything* about the GPL really, but doesn't RHEL have GPL'd software in it (like the kernel)?

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    11. Re:not open source? by peragrin · · Score: 2, Funny

      Tech world according to netcraft run MS IIS5.0

      Techworld also is the main supporter for linuxinsider.com which also seems to be a false news site.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
    12. Re:not open source? by mumblestheclown · · Score: 2, Funny
      I am suspicious of why TechWorld could so blatantly take Microsoft's quote so out of context.

      Maybe because there are about a zillion similar journals / websites / magazines with nearly identical bland names that few ever read except when they pull a stunt like this?

    13. Re:not open source? by peragrin · · Score: 1

      I believe you can get the source, as for downloading it free that isn't part of the GPL. They can charge you from them to send you a CD.(OR 2)

      Also they only have to give the source to their customers upon demand.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
    14. Re:not open source? by Alien+Being · · Score: 1

      Logic... oh yeah, I remember how this works. What the rep is implying is that "all microsofts are dogs."

    15. Re:not open source? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TechWorld seems to have a rather pro-Microsoft, anti-everything-else bias. Yesterday, in addition to this "news", they also blasted Apple for having security holes in Mac OS X even though Windows has far worse security...

    16. Re:not open source? by NineNine · · Score: 0

      It's actually Slashdot FUD, since MS never said that. But hey, whoever said that /. was a reliable news source?

    17. Re:not open source? by chalco · · Score: 1

      SCO has since dropped their claims that the GPL is unconstitutional.

    18. Re:not open source? by Xenographic · · Score: 1

      The irony is that SCO dropped the "GPL is unconstitutional" claims just a few days ago. See this story on Groklaw.

    19. Re:not open source? by npsimons · · Score: 1

      I am suspicious of why TechWorld could so blatantly take Microsoft's quote so out of context.

      To get more page hits from frothing at the mouth Linux zealots?
    20. Re:not open source? by cthulhubob · · Score: 2, Informative

      > Ahhh yes, but there is still Fedora... Speaking of RH Enterprise, can the source be downloaded for free?

      You get the source code for everything in the box with the CDs. The GPL ensures that binaries cannot be distributed without also giving away the source code - if you're not giving somebody a binary copy, they don't need the source code either.

      However, Fedora is basically RH Enterprise unstable. Redhat is essentially following the Debian development model now, with Fedora stable releases being the equivalent of "testing", Fedora beta and development being the equivalent of "unstable", and RHEL is the equivalent of "stable" (because who runs pure Debian stable except for enterprises anyway?) RHEL is just older versions of the same software with security patches applied and thoroughly tested to work together. Oh, plus a support contract.

      --

      In post-9/11 America, the CIA interrogates YOU!
    21. Re:not open source? by ostone · · Score: 1

      open source != linux;
      linux.isOpenSource() == true;
      // Linux and Open Source are not synonymous
      // Open Source Has a, Linux is a
      // Glad we could clear that up Microsoft... duh

      --
      Remove *your pants* to send me email.
    22. Re:not open source? by Frizzle+Fry · · Score: 1
      The irony is that SCO dropped the "GPL is unconstitutional" claims just a few days ago

      I don't want to sound stupid, but I'm missing the irony in that. Can you explain?
      --
      I'd rather be lucky than good.
    23. Re:not open source? by HiThere · · Score: 1

      In a follow on interview, however (missing reference...check Groklaw) they denied that they had really dropped the claim. Perhaps they just didn't want to try to prove it in court?
      (I didn't read either of the articles...infoglut!)

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    24. Re:not open source? by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      Microsoft is claiming that Linux is not open source because some of the distros cost money and anyway open source is a development methodology.

      More crap from MS.

      Linux will eat Windows for lunch.

      Mod me troll again! What are you, nuts? Come at me!

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    25. Re:not open source? by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      And you think the Microsoft rep wasn't counting on people doing just that?

      This is MS FUD and BS again. As the article correctly states, it's an attempt (lame tho it be) to drive a wedge between Linux and OSS.

      LOL, MS!

      Anybody who doesn't know the difference between OSS and Linux doesn't need to be told since they don't care. Anybody who does know the difference doesn't need to be told.

      And MS doesn't need to say anything at all about it.

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
    26. Re:not open source? by spyfrog · · Score: 1

      When did you last saw a proof reader in media?
      They don't exist anymore.

    27. Re:not open source? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "When did you last saw a proof reader in media?"

      Ahhh, irony, how I love thee.

    28. Re:not open source? by Louis+Guerin · · Score: 1

      When did you last saw a proof reader in media?

      Well, you certainly don't has one.

      L

    29. Re:not open source? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They did not take it out of context. That was merely the transpose of the original claim.

      The representative said:
      Open Source -> not Linux

      Thus the rep was also saying:
      Linux -> not Open Sources

      So TechWorld got it all right, just used some logic and got another version of what the rep said.

    30. Re:not open source? by Feztaa · · Score: 1

      I think that's more mironic than ironic... ;)

    31. Re:not open source? by FireFury03 · · Score: 1

      You get the source code for everything in the box with the CDs. The GPL ensures that binaries cannot be distributed without also giving away the source code - if you're not giving somebody a binary copy, they don't need the source code either.

      Although there's nothing really stopping a 3rd party getting a copy of RHEL and putting it up for download. However, in reality I suspect most people who will use RHEL instead of Fedora are businesses who will want the official release so they can easilly get their security updates, etc, rather than some (completely legal) ripped off version.

      However, Fedora is basically RH Enterprise unstable.

      The Fedora development path has quite supprised me - when Fedora was originally announced I was under the impression that they were moving away from the traditional "versioned" release strategy and were going to be going rolling updates instead. i.e. if you keep your system up to date you always get the latest toys and you avoid the 6 monthly big upgrade where all the boxes have to be shut down and upgraded to the new version. Unforuntately this hasn't happened and in a couple of weeks we will all be shuting down our servers and upgrading them to Fedora Core 2.

  3. Well, yes.. by ObviousGuy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Using LFS as a starting point, Luis and Mike were able to build a minimal Linux kernel that included only the functionality required by the "kiosk style" machines. They added the Gnome desktop environment, the Mozilla browser, and OpenOffice.org to complete the picture.

    If you don't need much more than websurfing and wordprocessing functionality, it doesn't make much sense to keep up with the Joneses running Windows.

    Windows is a very capable OS with many features for many tasks. Most of those features, however, are wholly unsuited for a kiosk and totally extraneous.

    Linux, OTOH, is able to step in at these places and fill just enough of the hole left by the Windows uninstallation with Windows software clones that the average kiosk user can hardly tell the difference.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
    1. Re:Well, yes.. by pubjames · · Score: 5, Interesting

      If you don't need much more than websurfing and wordprocessing functionality, it doesn't make much sense to keep up with the Joneses running Windows.

      That's about all 80% of PC users actually do need, if you add in a spreadsheet and email and a few other bits.

      What I really want someone to come up with is a really simplified version of desktop linux - a kind of minimal installation with all the basics and locked-down so that it's difficult to break. In fact, what these guys have come up with. This is the type of set-up they should be selling in Walmart.

    2. Re:Well, yes.. by Short+Circuit · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I disagree, to a point. It would be too easy for a newbie to come to the conclusion that Linux is insanely limited, and they have to use Windows to do anything more advanced.

      Now, if you include directions on how to "unlock" your computer, you'll be OK. Include a system restore CD. (You know someone's going to buy and install Windows; make it easy for them to switch back.)

      When the restore CD is run, ask them if they want to install the normal version (as it came on their computer) or the "advanced" version, which is pretty much the same as the normal except it allows you to select packages to install off the CD or the Internet.

    3. Re:Well, yes.. by martin_b1sh0p · · Score: 1

      Or something like Cobind. It's based on Fedora and it's very minimal yet functional; everything you need, nothing the average user doesn't (i.e. no gcc, no multiple versions of an office suite, no multiple browsers, etc, etc).

    4. Re:Well, yes.. by RoLi · · Score: 1
      Windows is a very capable OS. It has features that are designed to ease the many disparate tasks that different users will expect to handle. It is precisely because of this that Windows is unsuitable for a kiosk-like system. It is simply too powerful.

      Too powerful?

      The available apps FOR Windows are more numerous and very powerful, but Windows itself is hardly anything special. Winlots like you get excited about some basic OS-functionality like "starting applications" but that's hardly anything that makes Windows special or powerful.

      IF the applications are available, Linux is perfectly usable on the desktop.

    5. Re:Well, yes.. by pubjames · · Score: 1

      It would be too easy for a newbie to come to the conclusion that Linux is insanely limited

      It just depends how you sell it, and who you aim it at. Phrases that come to mind "it just works", "it does what it says on the tin", "no fills", "easy to use".

      I know lots of "newbies" (that will always be newbies) who would love a machine like that.

    6. Re:Well, yes.. by rpillala · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Even more so in kiosks where the company that put it there (or the library in this case) has branded their interface. When I go to Best Buy and look something up on one of their computers, it is irrelevant that it's a Windows machine because their frontend is plastered with their logo and lots of graphics to make it look cool.

      When people use publically available computers, I don't think we expect them to look and feel like what we have at home.

      Ravi
      --
      When the axe came to the forest, the trees said, "Look out - the handle was once one of us."
    7. Re:Well, yes.. by AstroDrabb · · Score: 2, Interesting
      What dummies modded this crap "Insightful"?
      It is precisely because of this that Windows is unsuitable for a kiosk-like system. It is simply too powerful.
      I think your are confusing simplified with powerful. A bunch of task simplifying "wizards" does not equal power. I recently deployed 1,600 Windows 2000 based kiosks and all those wizards did nothing to help. I had to replaced explorer.exe the desktop shell with my own since it crashed too much and locked every stinkin file it touches. I wrapped IE with a custom browser to try to lock it down more and had to write a management and monitoring application to handle all 1,600 kiosks. MS Windows sucks for being scriptable, something that would have made my work much easier. I would have had far more real power at my disposal had I been able to use Linux.
      less feature-filled operating systems are needed.
      I think you are confusing the large amount of software available on MS Windows as a feature of MS Windows. It is a benefit, but not a feature of the OS itself. What great feautres are included with MS windows out of the box that are not included with a mainstream Linux distro?
      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
    8. Re:Well, yes.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      Yes, but Windows Kiosks are usually so much easier to break into.. On a software level anyway.

      I always take it as a personal challenge when I see a Windows Kiosk. Most times, people don't lock out right-clicking in IE or don't lock out any/every way to get to Help or to a File/Save/Open/etc dialog.

      I remember a few times when I would be at a block of kiosk machines and the person next to me was trying to reach her school webmail login, but of course the Address Bar was locked out. This person was very happy when I walked away from my kiosk, which had REAL Internet Explorer windows open, instead of these half-ass, half-locked browsers written in VB or something..

      Anyway, let this be a lesson if you're setting up a kiosk. If you use Windows, lock it down and lock it down well. Don't let people reach a program that can lead to Explorer (From IE: Right Click -> View Source -> Notepad -> File -> Open -> Right Click on Explorer.exe in Windows folder, choose 'Open'). If you use Linux, use init's auto-respawning abilities to your advantage. Leave yourself a single way in, with password protection. Remember, even n00bs might know Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to kill X11.

    9. Re:Well, yes.. by Short+Circuit · · Score: 1

      "newbies" (that will always be newbies)

      Yes, there will always be those.

      My concern is that the potential power users will get a locked-down machine, and not realize that it can be unlocked without switching away from Linux.

    10. Re:Well, yes.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is simply too powerful.

      I appreciate that you're writing in favor of Linux, but your argument promotes a misconception.
      Your use of the word powerful is meaningless in this context. The distinguishing characteristic of Windows is that it's monolithic.

      Linux in contrast is extremely modular, which means it can be configured for kiosk applications, embedded systems, and other specialized uses. If you need it to run a supercomputer cluster, it can do that too.

    11. Re:Well, yes.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Potential power users will probably do enough research to avoid this dilemma. Wouldn't such research be part of the definition of 'potential' power user? I mean, if you KNOW what you need, you'd buy something that fulfills those needs, so you research before you buy.

    12. Re:Well, yes.. by Short+Circuit · · Score: 1

      By "potential power user" I mean someone who's somewhat familiar with computers, but hasn't yet learned how custom-fitted computers can be.

    13. Re:Well, yes.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ya just need to disable a few things. One would be the good ol ctrl+alt+f1. Ya don't wanna scare users that way, and they won't know to ctrl+alt+f7.

    14. Re:Well, yes.. by westlake · · Score: 1
      This is the type of set-up they should be selling in Walmart.

      But that isn't what people are buying at Walmart or anywhere else.

      Sales of OEM XP systems are running at about 10 million a month, up from 9 million a month last July. Microsoft Sells 210 Million Copies of Windows XP.

      There is nothing more likely to alienate the average Joe from Linux than the bland assumption that all he really needs and wants is e-mail and a browser. That's what a system administrator hopes to see when he looks at Joe in the office (and why he is usually regarded with noticeably less affection than Osama Bin Laden) but, after hours, Joe and his kids are free to kick back and refuse to be locked down. "Where do you want to go today?"

  4. Oh really now? by imidazole2 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Library management is happy because of the money it is saving. Those savings come from reduced administration costs and from hardware savings.

    Bout time someone actually tested the fact that the admin costs are cheaper. I agree. But many others dont:
    http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php/id;38386989 7;fp;2;fpid;1
    http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/41485
    And much more...

    --

    -Imidazole2
  5. What?@! by sv25 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Some of us don't even have libraries you insensitive clod!

    1. Re:What?@! by MMaestro · · Score: 1
      What is this... 'library' you speak of?

      And another things, what are those... 'books' I keep hearing about?

    2. Re:What?@! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's "Of which you speak."

      Yes, I am a grammar whore.

  6. A much-needed upgrade by Nick+of+NSTime · · Score: 2, Funny

    The article states that some of the PCs upgraded to Linux were running Windows 98. The decision to move to Linux sounds like a major no-brainer to me, even if you remove the Microsoft vs F/OSS debate.

    1. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      the thing to make it easier would have been using LTSP and turn all machines out in the common area into X terminals and simply buy/use one decent server for the backroom and you are finished.

      upgrade OO.o and instantly all other machines are upgraded.

      Hell a old P-233 machine is 200 times faster than the best NCD X terminal you can buy and insanely cheaper.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Short+Circuit · · Score: 1

      For such a large system, that's probably true.

      I only see one problem: how powerful of a system would be required to serve all those machines at once? Would a small cluster be better?

    3. Re:A much-needed upgrade by zangdesign · · Score: 1

      the thing to make it easier would have been using LTSP and turn all machines out in the common area into X terminals and simply buy/use one decent server for the backroom and you are finished.

      Conversely, if the main machine crashes for one reason or another, they're all out of luck.

      Plus, there's that little comprehension gap between the installers and the librarians. It's not that they're incapable of understanding, but they've got a thousand little things bugging them and setting up individual PCs with the distro is the easiest solution.

      Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do something.

      Finally, keeping the PC as individual workstations, each with it's own distro, is a much simpler solution than setting up terminals off of a main server. It may not be difficult, but it does add to the complexity of the installation.

      --
      To celebrate the occasion of my 1000th post, I will post no more forever on Slashdot. Goodbye.
    4. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Kainaw · · Score: 1

      The article states that some of the PCs upgraded to Linux were running Windows 98. The decision to move to Linux sounds like a major no-brainer to me, even if you remove the Microsoft vs F/OSS debate.

      Our library is still using Win98 because of the security software, not because they can't afford or have any problems with other Win versions. As with any public terminal, you must keep the users from messing up the computers. Win98 is rather simple to set up so that users cannot access what they shouldn't be touching. That type of software has been out there for a long time. With WinXP, that software is newer and still being updated. On top of that, it is a new expense. So, it isn't a question of what to upgrade Win98 to, but a question of why should they upgrade a perfectly fine working Win98 public terminal?

      --
      The previous comment is purposely vague and generalized, but all of the facts are completely true.
    5. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      It works well here for 10 workstations.

      we have a super slow P-III 800 server (dual processor) with only 1 gig of ram in it and all 10 users run as fast as if they were on that machine.

      I am thinking that if those 10 users started to do any HEAVY work it would slow down and more ram would always help.

      so from 5 to 10 machines a really low end server with a bit of ram (2 gig) would do great.

      now a dual AthalonMP 3000 setup with 4 gig of ram could easily run enough clients for a mid sized company.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    6. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Yes and no. there is more initial work, but once it is set up adding clients takes ZERO work. you just plug it in.

      also if the main server goes down you are out of luck... not really too much of a worry, if you use good hardware for your server there is not much to worry about. Many people use LTSP every day.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    7. Re:A much-needed upgrade by frankie · · Score: 1
      into X terminals and simply buy/use one decent server for the backroom

      Except that HoCo has several library branches, so either they'd need several terminal servers or some fat pipe to the main office. Whereas Lumix was a reformat-in-place of existing PCs (hardware cost of zero) with no rollout dependencies. Hard to beat that.

    8. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Short+Circuit · · Score: 1

      Huh.

      I just realized that most of the time, my CPU is idle. It never occured to me that LTSP would result in more efficient usage of the host machine.

    9. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Hell a old P-233 machine is 200 times faster than the best NCD X terminal you can buy and insanely cheaper.

      Really, I think this is the only medium-long-term solution for businesses. You will buy a box about the size of a mini ethernet switch that you plug a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and ethernet into and away you go. It will run Linux-box X server which is booted off the server machine. The box will be solid state, will run for about 10 years without becoming obsolete, and if it ever breaks down, you just chuck it in the garbage. It only costs $60, so it's not worth trying to repair. Anyone can sign in using any desktop, and you don't have to worry about viruses, people installing their own software, managing the software on zillions of desktop machines, upgrading them, or moving parts wearing out. Some day, businesses, governments, and schools will figure out that Windows PCs on every desktop is an insane waste of money and admin resources. It is inevitable, but it may take a while, since people are used to their treadmills.

      Also inevitable: Linux will become the only server, desktop, and embedded operating system, and OpenOffice the only office suite.

    10. Re:A much-needed upgrade by zurab · · Score: 1

      I saw this done in a library in Huntington Beach, but they didn't use PC clients. All a user saw was a keyboard, a mouse and an LCD monitor. These X terminals were basically for searching the web and the library resources and only ran one app - netscape. The advantages are clear - limited functionality to whatever they wanted, no PC hardware to reboot/upgrade/maintain, no worms and viruses to worry about, and a single point of upgrade for all software for clients.

      They still had PCs on other floors running Windows/IE though.

    11. Re:A much-needed upgrade by scarolan · · Score: 1

      Where are you getting thin clients for $60 apiece? The cheapest ones I've found from WYSE and Neoware were around $380 apiece. thanks Sean

    12. Re:A much-needed upgrade by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 1

      Where are you getting thin clients for $60 apiece? The cheapest ones I've found from WYSE and Neoware were around $380 apiece.

      I'm saying thay ought to/will exist soon. The will just be a stripped-down mini PC that will boot from the network. They won't include a monitor, keyboard or mouse: you'll buy those separately or already have them. They'll be standard, cheap, commodity components. You want to be able to simply throw out any piece that breaks or wears out and replace it with another commodity piece. Proprietary X-Server terminals are probably a rip-off because they aren't massively commoditized like standard PC accessories.

    13. Re:A much-needed upgrade by scarolan · · Score: 1

      You're SO right on about this point. . . example - I called Neoware to get a quote on some more thin clients, and the best price they could give me was $380. Here's what I'd get for my $380:

      * 64mb of ram
      * AMD Geode processor (runs around 300mhz)
      * Basic ports

      Alternatively - I can get a refurb IBM desktop from Tiger Direct:

      733 mhz pentium 3
      15 gb hard drive
      256mb ram

      this only costs $169.00!!

  7. The next step.... by i_want_you_to_throw_ · · Score: 1

    In all the zest and zeal to give away free software through libraries (see previous /. stories), maybe the next step is to now entice libraries themselves with an initiative to install this on all of their machines. For free...

    1. Re:The next step.... by at_kernel_99 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yes. This sounds like a great opportunity for a collaboration effort for libraries. There is a corporate open source / collaboration project run here in Minneapolis, similar to the one proposed for government entities in Massachusetts. (sorry, no links handy) Spread the load across library admins nationwide / internationally, and you could have an incredible market-specific Linux implementation.

  8. Lumix.org by strictnein · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Lumix.org is great

    Am I the only one unable to find anything about a Lumix named linux distribution? The only thing I could figure out is that Panasonic makes a camera called "Lumix" that is Linux compatible.

    1. Re:Lumix.org by AKAImBatman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Am I the only one unable to find anything about a Lumix named linux distribution?

      It is just a name for their custom Linux From Scratch compile. You won't find it because it isn't a real distro. However, you can visit the library to use it. :-)

    2. Re:Lumix.org by UrgleHoth · · Score: 1

      They may want to rename it lummox, because Matsushita Electric Corporation has a trademark on
      Lumix

      --

      Dogma - "let's just say we'd like to avoid any empirical entanglements."
    3. Re:Lumix.org by UrgleHoth · · Score: 1

      #$^&* timed out link. Now I feel like a lummox.
      Hopefully this is a more permanent link.

      --

      Dogma - "let's just say we'd like to avoid any empirical entanglements."
    4. Re:Lumix.org by dkone · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes you are the only one. No, wait it is slashdot, no one read the article.

    5. Re:Lumix.org by RazzleFrog · · Score: 1

      Forget Matsushita. Their tradermark is on digital cameras. Dataflow Services, Inc on the other hand has a trademark on it for "installation of computer networks". That one sounds a whole hell of a lot closer to what they did.

      Of course, this is only an issue if they decide to use the name of the distribution in commerce. Since it is just a custom distro for this library I don't think that will be an issue.

  9. In other news... by ArmenTanzarian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft has just announced software to compete directly with the Howard County Public Library. It's called PowerBrary and seeks to offer more functionality and better security than your common book.
    Due out FY07.

    1. Re:In other news... by Jim_Maryland · · Score: 1

      I'm going to have to dust off that library card. I live in Howard County, MD but haven't touched one of the terminals yet. Maybe it's time to get off /. for a little break and check it out.

      BTW, aren't you under court order to only go by Skinner now?

    2. Re:In other news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But books are more secure. You have to actually physically open a book to get at what's inside, which is more difficult than getting into windows.

  10. Good for them by geoffeg · · Score: 5, Informative

    Most libraries are stuck with Windows simply because they don't have enough money to move away (it does COST money to get everything working with linux) or because they're required to stay with Microsoft because their systems were donated by Microsoft or one of the related foundations. Lots of libraries are very, very tight on budget and simply can't afford the initial cost of the switchover.

    Geoffeg

    1. Re:Good for them by rscrawford · · Score: 1

      I'm on the library commission in my town, and we just approved a move of $25,000 from our budget reserve to our IT budget to buy 24 new computers, complete with WinXP. Unfortunately, we're stuck with Windows because the OPAC that we use actually requires a client on the desktop which is written for Windows.

      I believe that libraries and librarians are pretty much morally obligated to support open source software and open standards, so I've been pushing for the adoption of OSS solutions in our district. It's a long, painful slog. Maybe I'll get somewhere eventually.

      --
      -- The reason it's called the right wing? Irony.
    2. Re:Good for them by etnoy · · Score: 0

      In fact, here in the city of Västerås, Sweden, the local library's computers are in fact running Linux. It was fascinating to walk in there and get your eyes popped out by the fact that all Windows systems were replaced with Slackware Linux.!
      Something that I just don't understand is why they have chosen WindowMaker as the WM of choice, I think that something like fluxbox or even Gnome would fit so much better. I often see people having trouble with just closing windows, only because they don't find the close button on the widgets.

      --
      Quantum hacker.
    3. Re:Good for them by mpe · · Score: 1

      Most libraries are stuck with Windows simply because they don't have enough money to move away (it does COST money to get everything working with linux)

      It also costs money to get everything working with Windows. In addition it costs rather a lot of money to keep things working with Windows.

  11. Nice. They managed to let go. by jnetsurfer · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've been trying to get Libraries and School Systems to integrate linux for years, and nobody ever listens to me. In my limited experience, the upper-level staff at Schools and Libraries can be so afraid of change, or afraid of "impending doom", that they can't let go of the Windows security blanket. They don't care that Linux can make their systems more reliable and save money -- They are just worried about not having a number to call. It's refreshing to see that this isn't always the case.

    1. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by FePe · · Score: 1
      My experience tells me the same. People won't change to Linux because of the nerd-factor involved. They know Windows, and they think that a computer is a computer with Windows and if they saw Linux boot what would happen? But on the other hand, what is the use of Linux if all that is needed is what Windows is capable of doing? Such as writing documents, browsing, writing and reading email, printing, chatting and whatever regular tasks one could think of.

      I would love to see more institutions switching to Linux and open source, but if the users isn't comfortable with it, I see no future with it.

      --
      "Until you do what you believe in, how do you know whether you believe in it or not?" -- Leo Tolstoy
    2. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by mslinux · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They are just worried about not having a number to call.

      Please tell me who they would call for service/support on Windows 98 or NT in the year 2004? Certainly not Microsoft... so the library being concerned about "Offical Vendor" support doesn't seem to be a factor here as they were running old, unsupported software to begin with.

      Not to metion the fact that there's virtually no support from MS even when the software in question is still "Officially" supported by them. The whole idea of them actually standing behind their product and answering consumer phone calls is a myth.

    3. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 2, Insightful
      People won't change to Linux because of the nerd-factor involved.

      This is kind of ironic if you think about it, but average non-tech people will not take Linux seriously until game companies start releasing top titles for Linux. Which of course means video card companies have to start doing a better job of card drivers and smooth driver install. The fact that so much of getting a Linux install to work requires being computer literate does not work in Linuxs' favor as far as wide-spread acceptance with non-tech types.

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    4. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "But on the other hand, what is the use of Linux if all that is needed is what Windows is capable of doing?"

      Sasser, you mean?

    5. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by jimicus · · Score: 1

      The biggest irony is that many of these people have never actually tried calling the number.

      If they did, Linux would be taken a lot more seriously at a high level within a few months.

    6. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by Micro$will · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I believe Microsoft's official policy on desktop support is "Please contact your vendor." One of the reasons Dell, Compaq, HP, etc. get discounts on Windows licenses is that the PC vendor has to deal with support issues.

    7. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by normal_guy · · Score: 1

      Come on now. You can say many things about Microsoft, but shoddy phone support is not one of them. Every time I've called them with non-KB issues, a patch or workaround was available (and the call was free because it was an 'easy' solution). The person answering the call was fluent in English. A thick accent greets me with every Cisco support call, and every time I post questions regarding Linux I get "RTFM!"

      --

      Linux: Free if your time is worthless.
    8. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by advocate_one · · Score: 1
      "The whole idea of them actually standing behind their product and answering consumer phone calls is a myth."

      especially when almost the very first question you get asked on the support site (after the country question) when you try to make a technical query is where you got your product from... and if you answer that it came with my computer then it's the bum's rush for you to the very first exit...

      --
      Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    9. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm gonna sing the doom song now.

      Doom doom doom doo doooooom doom doom doom DOOOOOOOM!

    10. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by Colonel+Angus · · Score: 2, Insightful

      People won't change to Linux because of the nerd-factor involved.

      I highly doubt that Joe user knows of the "geek" stigma that Linux has. I'm willing to bet provided you didn't have to have them install anything, and to just sit there, send an e-mail, browse, and write resumes, you could probably convince them it was Windows Longhorn and that they should just shut up and use it.

      But on the other hand, what is the use of Linux if all that is needed is what Windows is capable of doing?

      My car can turn both right and left, signal (usually) turns, accellerate and brake on command. Why would anyone have any other car than the one I have? Because some cars (and OSs) are better in certain ways. Linux is great for Grandma who isn't trying to tweek her system, install the latest video driver, etc. If she just wants to browse the internet for crochet designs, and to use her e-mail to keep in touch with her grand kids, then why not Linux. Once it's set up it's stable. And that's all she needs.

    11. Re:Nice. They managed to let go. by anonicon · · Score: 1

      "Please tell me who they would call for service/support on Windows 98 or NT in the year 2004? Certainly not Microsoft... so the library being concerned about "Offical Vendor" support doesn't seem to be a factor here as they were running old, unsupported software to begin with."

      Actually, speaking from experience here in Cincinnati/N. Kentucky, the library would be calling their library system tech support if the "reboot the computer" solution didn't work. Now, given that that's the solution for most of their program bugs, there's no reason why a library couldn't switch to Linux except fear, cost, transition bugs, and lack of library-specific software.

      The problem occurs if rebooting the machine /doesn't/ work. With Windows, there are bazillions of Windows techies of varying quality and salary demands to full a library system tech support staff. With Linux, there are a couple of magnitudes fewer Linux techies. Frankly, it's easier to find Windows techies, and since there's more competition in that field, it's easier to pay them less than their Linux techie counterparts.

      Chuck

  12. Uh-oh... by Rick.C · · Score: 2, Funny
    Does this mean that all the books are now GPL?

    I mean, Balmer wouldn't lie to us about the GPL virus, would he?

    --
    You were 80% angel, 10% demon. The rest was hard to explain. - Over The Rhine
    "Math in a song is good."-Linford
    1. Re:Uh-oh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It would probably be LGPL, like most libraries.

  13. Slightly OT... by GillBates0 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    But as long as we're talking about libraries and computers:

    The local public library (somewhere in Mass.) here has an iMac sitting in the front lobby, with the iTunes application running - for people to browse through their library of songs.

    I went and asked the librarian(s) about the machine and they said Apple had donated it. Interesting concept - free advertising and people think the company's being Good (TM) by donating to the public library. Not very useful for downloading songs though, given the DRM restrictions on downloads. All the other machines running the Catalog app are Windows though.

    Just thought it was interesting enough to post here on /. ... pardon the OTness.

    --
    An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
  14. It sounds perfect for my library... by FooAtWFU · · Score: 2, Interesting
    The local libraries could really do something like this. All they have on their computers anyway is some sort of telnet-type terminal to their (legacy :) text-based card catalog system. Oh, and a few web browsers and MS Office. Nothing that can't be replaced...

    My university library is a bit sillier. They have brand-spanking-new IBM machines worth several grand, I'm sure, and all they're doing is running kiosk-mode Internet Explorer to their card catalog site (one that is easily bypassed by Win+R, by the way).

    --
    The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
    1. Re:It sounds perfect for my library... by ThisNukes4u · · Score: 1

      My local library actually had a system similiar to this, but that was about 5 years ago and they have since changed to windows. Don't know what type of OS they were using before, but the computer in their office was pretty huge.

      --
      thisnukes4u.net
    2. Re:It sounds perfect for my library... by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      Speaking of legacy systems, the University of Minnesota's Library had an electronic lookup system called LUMINA. It has since evolved into it's web page at http://www.lib.umn.edu/. At first, I thought LUMIX was based off that old system instead of a combination of Luis and Mike...

  15. FUD goes both ways by Pave+Low · · Score: 0, Insightful
    Puleeze.., let's not pretend that the Linux side and their zealots are not completely free from FUD that can be worse than what Microsoft can hope to produce.

    This site alone still generates to much Anti-Microsoft drivel that's based solely on hate and jealousy. "640K should be enough for everybody" still gets tossed around even though it's proven that Bill Gates never said it. BSOD jokes that are 4 years out of date. Baseless claims that Windows or Office breaks compatibility. Any of these ring a bell?

    That's only the tip of the iceberg. You people shouldn't be throwing stones in this glass house.

    --
    SIG:Slashdot: indymedia for nerds.
    1. Re:FUD goes both ways by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're cute when you're being stupid.

    2. Re:FUD goes both ways by cayenne8 · · Score: 1
      "BSOD jokes that are 4 years out of date."

      Hey, I'll give you most of what you stated, but, the BSOD is NOT a thing of the past. Granted, it still does not happen quite as often as in the past...but, I still see them here and there.

      I think usually...we just have to reboot them before they get to the BSOD stage nowdays...at least, around here......

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    3. Re:FUD goes both ways by megarich · · Score: 0

      No nothing is free from fud. But linux fud I feel is a tad bit better than microsoft's fud. Wether or not bill gates said that or not still doesn't change the fact microsoft is monopolostic with quite frankly expensive shitty software. Ok all software has bugs blah blah blah but something that is that buggy shouldnt have the expensive price tag it does. Who would buy for a $20,000 new car with known holes in it that prevents the car from working properly? When you have fairly stable os' like linux and mac and then you have windows, it make's you wonder why can't microsoft do there software like these other companies can.

  16. RTFA by Nick+of+NSTime · · Score: 4, Informative
  17. Perfect Fit... by clichekiller · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This sounds like a perfect fit to me. Given that budgets for libraries the country over are systematically being cut, not having to add the cost of software licensing to a collection of public access PC's is a great boon. Considering that the majority of computer use in the library is limitied to the internet and word processing the availability of suitable open source alternatives for these two activities also fits well. All in all I'd be surprised if we don't hear of more institutions moving to this as money becomes tight.

    I know many years ago I donated a collection of 486 and early pentiums to a shop in brooklynn that refurbished them and distributed them to inner city workshops that taught kids how to work on computers. I can only imagine how much of a boon to this program it would have been had linux then been up to the level that it is today.

    --
    Sir, there is a dragon outside with an armful of armor. He's inquiring if we offer free refills.
    1. Re:Perfect Fit... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Does that shop in Brooklyn still exist? Could they use more computers?

      Anyone else know of similar programs in their own cities?

    2. Re:Perfect Fit... by clichekiller · · Score: 1

      I don't really know if it still exists. That was in 1997 or so, so all bets are off. An associate of mine told me about it. I don't recall how he came to find it. I had 40 plus 486 computers and a dozen first generation pentiums. I didn't think they belonged in the landfill. Plus they gave me a really nice tax break.

      --
      Sir, there is a dragon outside with an armful of armor. He's inquiring if we offer free refills.
  18. For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Windoze by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Here in Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale and the new Santa
    Clara library are totally on Windows. I havn't yet
    been to the new MLK in San Jose -- scary thing is
    I see people using public computers and IE to do
    online transactions.

  19. FUD coming out of Slashdot? by goldspider · · Score: 1
    "...FUD coming out of Redmond about Linux not being open source, or Windows having a lower TCO, and - believe it or not - even a claim that Windows is more reliable..."

    Thank goodness I read the rest of that; I thought you were talking about the Microsoft ads on Slashdot.

    --
    "Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
  20. Interesting... by angst7 · · Score: 1

    I live in Howard County, but hadn't heard anything about this before now. It's kindof exciting though -- I'll be taking a trip to the library later today to test drive this setup.

    Way to go HCPL!

    --
    StrategyTalk.com, PC Game Forums
    1. Re:Interesting... by _randy_64 · · Score: 2, Informative

      I live in HoCo too. Luis and Mike spoke at the Columbia Area LUG in March. It was a great and very informative talk. We were all hoping they'd get some coverage for what they've done. Also read the article by their manager in the Library Journal. That kind of article will reach far more library-types than any discussion on Slashdot, and will probably be a lot more influential. Libraries are a great place to introduce people to Linux. Way to go guys!

      --
      I mod down all the "free iPod"-sig losers.
    2. Re:Interesting... by Jim_Maryland · · Score: 1

      I'm in HC too. Guess I'll need to stop in and check it out. If your at the branch on Gorman Road, I'll have to keep an eye out for someone checking out the OS on the terminal.

      Glad to see the county working to not spend more of my tax dollars and recycling older equipment.

    3. Re:Interesting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WOW! What a great way to get geeks back into a library--Just install Linux and they will come :)

  21. Well, yes.. by ObviousGuy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Using LFS as a starting point, Luis and Mike were able to build a minimal Linux kernel that included only the functionality required by the "kiosk style" machines. They added the Gnome desktop environment, the Mozilla browser, and OpenOffice.org to complete the picture.

    Windows is a very capable OS. It has features that are designed to ease the many disparate tasks that different users will expect to handle. It is precisely because of this that Windows is unsuitable for a kiosk-like system. It is simply too powerful.

    Linux, OTOH, is entirely suitable. It is free, and does not have built into the kernel all the extra luggage that Windows niceties bring with them. Providing websurfing and wordprocessing capabilities with Linux is pretty damn good and more than one would expect from an OS developed in the OSS manner. Users can use Lumix (the MD system's name) and have barely an inkling that something is amiss, that their Windows systems have been replaced with Linux (with flavor crystals).

    Linux triumphs again, not by taking on Windows on the desktop, but by stepping into niches where smaller, less feature-filled operating systems are needed.

    --
    I have been pwned because my /. password was too easy to guess.
  22. Good ... by zangdesign · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's about time for some good news.

    I wonder how this is going to be affected by the government-mandated filters for sex information, science, art, and other governmentally-defined "objectionable material"?

    --
    To celebrate the occasion of my 1000th post, I will post no more forever on Slashdot. Goodbye.
    1. Re:Good ... by Eberlin · · Score: 1

      As interesting as all that may seem, Linux really isn't much of a threat there if that's what you're trying to get at. Run all the machines through a proxy server that does all the filtering for you. If nothing else, have it go through something like n2h2 or something that the government is pleased with to comply with CIPA standards and you'll be ok.

      Whether that is an agreeable thing is another matter...but compliance isn't dependent on the underlying OS you're working with.

    2. Re:Good ... by kunudo · · Score: 1

      If you're talking about the content blocking (are you?), it is handled at the proxy level. Obviously. So no effect.

    3. Re:Good ... by Matt+Moyer · · Score: 1

      AFAIK, this is nearly always implemented with a central proxy sever doing the filtering, so it really shouldn't matter at all what OS the client machines are using.

    4. Re:Good ... by Computerguy5 · · Score: 1

      Easy enough, go with a filtering router or proxy. I recently purchased a router from 8e6 which does this well. Unfortunately my particular router seems to lock up every other time I open AIM requiring a hard reboot, but I'm working with the manufacturer on this and it only seems to affect my particular unit. Linux, Mac, Windows, etc. all have no affect on this as it is entirely OS independent.

  23. The REAL way computing is changing by Toadpipe · · Score: 5, Funny

    The turning point came when Dynix, a major vendor of library software, began to offer a new version of PAC, which enables public access to library catalogues. PAC can be used on any platform with a Web browser. Auger saw it as an opportunity to escape the Windows cash crunch.

    What's that? Universally readable data? But, but, what about DRM?

    Universally readable AND free. What will those criminal open source people think of next?

    Power to the people, and may the Source be with us!

    --
    Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
    1. Re:The REAL way computing is changing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      how is this a troll??

    2. Re:The REAL way computing is changing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Calling him dickweed makes you a troll, dickweed.

    3. Re:The REAL way computing is changing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know if anyone else noticed...but Dynix (the company that provided the PAC program), has an article about open source on their home page.
      http://www.dynix.com/institute/seminar/20040512.as p

  24. That's the sound of microsoft by dokebi · · Score: 2, Insightful

    screaming in panic. If enough public libraries realize it's cheaper to run OSS software MS is lost. How long do you think it's going to take before these librarians receive a visit from the local MS sales force and "Free" WindowsXP and Office2003 CD's arriving in their mail for "promotional perposes"?

    --
    In Soviet Russia, articles before post read *you*!
    1. Re:That's the sound of microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      wouldn't do much good, unless they're going to provide free computers as well - how are you going to run XP on a Pentium 200?

    2. Re:That's the sound of microsoft by VdG · · Score: 1

      Free Windows wouldn't make any difference. The articel pointed out that the software costs weren't an issue in the first place. Ease of management might be addressed by WindowsXP, but the other big factor, being able to continue using older PCs, would be blown away.

  25. On a related note... by ErichTheWebGuy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I finally got my friend John (a HARDCORE XP nerd btw) to try Linux for his corporate desktop machine. I chose FC1 and KDE 3.2.2. As I sat there with him, he is saying things like WOW! THAT'S SWEET! After I told him the cost of implementation (and let's face it guys, it's never zero) he was aghast. "So we can outfit an entire office for the cost of one Windows server license?"

    As for the "higher cost of training" fud, thats utter bullshit. Within two hours he was just as productive as he was in XP. He's using Kontact (he actually liked it better than evolution), Mozilla, Open Office, etc.

    Towards the end of the day, he said, " ... if I ever go back to Windows ... "

    On a side-note, he asked me why everything starts with K. I told him about KDE's naming scheme. He called me up a while later and said, "How do I find my ip address? Is it kipconfig?" :-)

    --
    bash: rtfm: command not found
    1. Re:On a related note... by larien · · Score: 1

      Re: training: on any major upgrade of windows, you usually need some kind of training anyway, so the assumption that "switching to linux means retraining" is an exaggeration.

    2. Re:On a related note... by ErichTheWebGuy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Agreed. I am (was? I think it's expired now, never use em anyway) a MCP in:

      - Windows 2000 Pro
      - Windows 2000 Server
      - Active Directory

      The first time I used XP I was lost for like 3 days. The same goes for almost anyone else I talk to.

      --
      bash: rtfm: command not found
    3. Re:On a related note... by Spellbinder · · Score: 1

      most people cant use computers anyway
      even if they sit in front of them all day
      it is much harder to get the advanced users to relearn all the stuff
      i think the IT department will be the hardest to get around if it isn't full of linux geeks

      --


      stop supporting microsoft with pirating their software!!!!!
    4. Re:On a related note... by Brandybuck · · Score: 1

      If only my company thought that. Instead we got the following [paraphrased and sarcasticized]:

      Corporate Master: "Your division has been using SunOS/Solaris for your servers and workstations for almost ten years. You will now use Windows 2000. Since this OS is so intuitive and easy to use, there will be no retraining needed. Your new Dell systems, which we'll have to lay ten of you off to afford, will arrive tomorrow.

      "p.s. Since your five current SCSA admins have presented us with evidence that retraining will indeed be an issue, they have all been terminated and replaced with twenty five junior college dropouts with MCSEs."

      --
      Don't blame me, I didn't vote for either of them!
    5. Re:On a related note... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      dude , at least use some real sounding name when making up stories. my friend John ???? yeah right !

  26. MS bashing by simong_oz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What with the spate of professionally PR-generated FUD coming out of Redmond about Linux not being open source, or Windows having a lower TCO, and - believe it or not - even a claim that Windows is more reliable,...

    Is there any reason at all to include this statement in the headline of this submission? Does it seriously achieve anything other than reflect negatively on (particularly) the poster and, unfortunately (once again), the entire linux/os community? This submission is interesting in it's own right, it doesn't need to be put up in the fight against the Great Big Evil (TM).

    In fact, for all you moderators, it perfectly illustrates the difference between (+1, interesting) and (-1, troll).

    --
    "Because it's there." - George Mallory, when asked why he wanted to climb Mt Everest, March 18, 1923 (New York Times)
    1. Re:MS bashing by FooBarWidget · · Score: 2, Insightful

      While the editors may be anti-MS, most Slashdotters are definitely not. Heck, I'd even say most Slashdotters are anti-Linux, or at least criticise Linux for absolutely everything, even when it's not appropriate or false. The fact that your post got modded up to +5 is the absolute proof of that.

    2. Re:MS bashing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, I disagree. The article certainly is interesting in its own right. Really a nice story and good news.

      But, it's also extra interesting exactly because it is totally relevant to the fight against the Great Big Evil....

      Adds a little David-and-Goliath spice to the story. If it weren't for that a story about librarians-using-Linux wouldn't be quite as spicy. (Libraries especially fit nicely into the open-source credo... I mean, wasn't "librarian" kind of synonymous with "dull"? Not any more - we recognize they are natural allies in the fight against the GBE...!)

      If it wasn't so that Microsoft spreads FUD, backdoor funding of SCO, etc etc... maybe you'd have a case.

      This is a very cool story. Hopefully their Limux will spread among libraries like wildfire.

    3. Re:MS bashing by Tim+C · · Score: 1

      Well, I can speak only for myself, but personally I'm not ant-Linux or pro-MS, I'm anti-bullshit, whatever the source.

      Slashdotters often complain about (anti-Linux) FUD in one breath, while spreading anti-MS FUD with the next. (At least, that's certainly the impression I've had over the past few years of reading the site). Well, to my mind, you can't have it both ways. If you're going to complain about their FUD, stop spreading your own.

      The fact that your post got modded up to +5 is the absolute proof of that.

      No, it's proof only that 3 or 4 people agreed with him that the quoted phrase only detracted from the article. (Or rather, that 3 or 4 more people modded him up than down). There's nothing remotely anti-Linux or even pro-MS in that comment.

    4. Re:MS bashing by FooBarWidget · · Score: 1

      "Slashdotters often complain about (anti-Linux) FUD in one breath, while spreading anti-MS FUD with the next."

      The impression I have is that while this may be so in the past, it is no longer true. A few years ago things quickly changed, and now most Slashdotters seem to be *very* critical against Linux. Just look at the number of critical posts in stories about usability about Linux/open source apps. Heck, it's so much that it drives me nuts. I'm trying my best to make as usable software as possible and the only thing Slashdotters do is flame me down and even claiming that I have to be a "slave".

    5. Re:MS bashing by jandrese · · Score: 1
      Slashdotters often complain about (anti-Linux) FUD in one breath, while spreading anti-MS FUD with the next.
      I don't know if this is true. Most people on here have a fair bit of certanty with Windows. You know for sure that if you don't keep up with your patches and leave your Windows machine connected to the internet that you will become a spam relay in short order. They know that if you try to get source code or documentation about their proprietary protocols from Microsoft you will get turned down. They know you'll have crummy remote access out of the box. They also know that you'll be able to play most every major game released and have a driver available for whatever idiot piece of hardware they buy.
      Linux and other Free Unixes offer far fewer certainties. You are certain to get the source code to almost everything you need, but hardware can be a crap-shoot (especially if it's new) and a lot of stuff "may" work once you fiddle with it a bit. There are a lot of services that will be far easier to get working in Linux than Windows...unless they're Windows services. And so on.
      It should be obvious that both Windows and Linux have tradeoffs, and much of the time the Windows tradeoffs are far more painful to the average Slashdotter than the Linux tradeoffs.
      --

      I read the internet for the articles.
    6. Re:MS bashing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're the guy who thought "Could not fork() process" was a good error message, right? Yeah, I flamed you, and you deserved it, nothing to do with Linux. IIRC, you're also the guy who claimed that Windows Advocates were trying to destroy your mind. (WTF?)

      Slashdot is mostly an anti-Microsoft site nowdays. What you see is Windows Dissidents frustrated at the Linux Alternative, and just good old fashion Contrarianism (you bash mine, I'll bash yours). Nothing personal, so don't make a big deal out of it, this site isn't serious.

    7. Re:MS bashing by mpe · · Score: 1

      You're the guy who thought "Could not fork() process" was a good error message, right?

      It's just as possible to find examples of such useless error messages with Windows. e.g. "Can't open file", without bothering to give the filename or even "Not enough memory", when the actual problem is trying to open a file which dosn't have write permissions in R/W mode.
      Meaningless and misleading error messages are a more a sign of poor programmers than OS advocacy.

  27. I have to wonder... by 0x0000 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ... which side the librarians will come down on when Micro$oft sics their SCO biatches on the public libraries with demands that SCO be compensated for the libraries use of a Linux-derived OS...

    --
    "The Internet is made of cats."
  28. Ooookaaay by Otter · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The previous Joe Barr "Look what I wrote on Newsforge!" submission (that I noticed, anyway) was about a Linux system customized by a professional that met the demanding needs of a three year old. Now we have a Linux adoption on predictable, locked-down, minimal hardware for dedicated web browsing. (They seem to have Open Office but haven't gotten around to putting users on it yet.)

    Both stories backed up with loud exclamations of "TAKE THAT, M$ PR PEOPLE!!!" that suggest he spends far more time thinking about them than they do about Linux.

    This library adoption is great. There is absolutely no reason to use Windows in this context and it's good to see Linux being used. (I'm curious to hear how the proposed switch to Open Office goes, but it will probably be fine, also.) But after five years of LINUX IS READY FOR THE DESKTOP!!!, the level of spraying seems a bit excessive for these two stories.

    1. Re:Ooookaaay by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's a much better story than the cutesy three-year-old one. Doubtful that three-year-olds everywhere will soon start using Linux. But it's not at all impossible that libraries everywhere will start using Limux. You're right, it's the perfect application. And that would be a great thing. In this case, the level of spraying seems entirely justified.

      (p.s. forgive him for the cutesy three-year-old story; parents of young children are afflicted with a (temporary) brain disease that makes them think certain things are lots more interesting than they are to anybody else. Now whether Slashdot should be forgiven for drawing it to all our attention... up to you.)

    2. Re:Ooookaaay by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      after 5 years linux is ready for the desktop...

      Yet it took microsoft far longer to get windows ready for the desktop...

      Windows 98 was close, windows 2000 was the pinnacle.

      so it tool microsoft FAR longer with windows to get it ready for real desktop use (W2K) than linux has.

      I'm thinkingthat by the time they get around to their next version, linux will be far past them.

      we have far more momentum and speed than microsoft could ever get. and we are increasing in speed exponentially.

      Microsoft IS doomed. it's a case of when not if.

    3. Re:Ooookaaay by mpe · · Score: 1

      after 5 years linux is ready for the desktop...
      Yet it took microsoft far longer to get windows ready for the desktop...
      Windows 98 was close, windows 2000 was the pinnacle.
      so it tool microsoft FAR longer with windows to get it ready for real desktop use (W2K) than linux has.


      Actually the important question is "who's desktop?" There are plenty of situations where it can be argued that W2K is no more "ready" than W9X. There are even some cases where it can be argued that it is less ready.

  29. KDE Kiosk by IceFox · · Score: 5, Informative

    They mentioned that they had trouble locking down the system. I am surprised that they didn't use KDE and its kiosk mode. It allows you to specify any setting in any kde application and lock it down so users can't change it. There is even a GUI tool in beta right now that lets set and lock the settings.

    -Benjamin Meyer

    --
    Do you changes clothes while making the "chee-chee-cha-cha-choh" transformation sound?
    1. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Still, you might find a way to start a terminal (Ctrl-Alt-F1), and there goes any KDE-dependant locking down.

    2. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Still, you might find a way to start a terminal (Ctrl-Alt-F1), and there goes any KDE-dependant locking down.

      But without a password, all one will have is a text-based login screen.

    3. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There might always be a way to do something you aren't supposed to do.

      But, in this case, editing /etc/inittab can disable the virtual terminals when a session of X is started. (E.g. start X through an init runlevel and disable the extra VTs at that runlevel.)

    4. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is very difficult to lock down a kiosk style linux system Effectively. On average over the past year there is one local user exploit found per week. Don't believe me, browse through the Security focus Incidents pages:
      http://www.securityfocus.com/bid

    5. Re:KDE Kiosk by Spoing · · Score: 2, Informative
      1. Still, you might find a way to start a terminal (Ctrl-Alt-F1), and there goes any KDE-dependant locking down.

      Edit /etc/inittab and #comment out (do not remove) the other terminals. Make sure that you leave one runlevel unchanged just in case you mess it up. (Typically, runlevel 5 is used for graphical desktops.)

      --
      A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
    6. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, it's actually very easy to lock down a kiosk style Linux system 'Efefctively'.

      You simply remove stuff you don't use. If you leave MySQL, Apache, or Samba on a kiosk, you deserve everything you get.

    7. Re:KDE Kiosk by endall · · Score: 1

      Considering their proximity to NSA headquarters, maybe they have a different concept of "locked down".

    8. Re:KDE Kiosk by metamatic · · Score: 2, Funny

      KDE has a kiosk mode? What's it called, ki-Oh, wait.

      How convenient.

      --
      GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
    9. Re:KDE Kiosk by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Actually, that doesn't have to be done. The virtual terminals all have lists of runlevels on which they are initiated. You could simply set the machine to boot to init 5, and have only the X-designated VT run on that runlevel. (I.e., delete a number from the line instead of commenting it out; for experimentation, typing init 2 at boot would bring back the normal virtual terminals.)

      Example:
      init 5 is the runlevel that initiates an X session. The text virtual terminals only start on init 2, 3, or 4, when the X-session is not initiated by init.
      id:5:initdefault:

      #OLD 1:2345:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty1
      1:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty1
      2:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty2
      3:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty3
      4:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty4
      5:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty5
      6:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty6
      7:234:respawn:/sbin/getty 38400 tty7
    10. Re:KDE Kiosk by mst76 · · Score: 1

      Or use "DontVTSwitch" and "DontZap" in XF86Config.

    11. Re:KDE Kiosk by Des+Herriott · · Score: 1

      Yep. But if you're running X from xdm, "DontZap" is probably worth keeping. If nothing else, it's a handy way of ensuring an X server restart in an emergency.

    12. Re:KDE Kiosk by Spoing · · Score: 1

      Thanks. I thought there were some XFree options for that, but didn't look. Much simpler.

      --
      A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
  30. Perfect example by Big+Nothing · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is a perfect example of an application where Linux is ideal (as opposed to "main stream desktop OS"). The puters are used for surfing the net and searching though library catalogs. Both these tasks are performed gracefully by Linux and Linux offers a lot better control for the sys admin to lock down the OS (relative WinXP for example). The only person who need any REAL computer knowledge is the sys admin, the users never touch anything other than the two or three applications they're supposed to use.

    Better control for the sys admin, ease of use for the n00bs, increased stability and security, and lower TCO for the library. Could it be any better?

    --
    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
    1. Re:Perfect example by jargoone · · Score: 1

      offers a lot better control for the sys admin to lock down the OS (relative WinXP for example)

      I know Linux systems can be pretty effectively locked down, but have you ever seen an XP system that's been locked down by someone who knows what they're doing? You can hardly breathe on it. It did a great job of foiling my former office mate who installed a filesharing client on his NT system and hosed his network connection. I heard him grumbling for days after they upgraded him to XP.

  31. Isn't Gates gunning for libraries? by Muda69 · · Score: 1
    I thought that the Gates foundation has been donating money and/or equipment to public libraries for a few years now?

    I wonder what would happen if a library that was given a couple dozen PC's by Bill Gates turned around and starting running Linux on them........

    1. Re:Isn't Gates gunning for libraries? by YU+Nicks+NE+Way · · Score: 1
      I wonder what would happen if a library that was given a couple dozen PC's by Bill Gates turned around and starting running Linux on them.
      Nothing at all would happen. The Gates Foundation recommends a particular configuration, but does not mandate it -- and, in fact, only about 60% of the equipment donated to libraries winds up running that configuration.
    2. Re:Isn't Gates gunning for libraries? by AstroDrabb · · Score: 1
      I wonder what would happen if a library that was given a couple dozen PC's by Bill Gates turned around and starting running Linux on them........
      You can be almost certain that the "gracious" donations by the Gate's foundation stipulates what software is allowed to be used on those systems, especially what OS. I bet there is even a time frame in which the recipient must upgrade the OS, and this time there is no free ride. Give them the razor and sell them the blades.
      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
    3. Re:Isn't Gates gunning for libraries? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Microsoft donated to my university (UF) a classroom full of PCs for an operating systems course. They had Windows NT installed. They of course wiped out all the Windows installations and replaced it with FreeBSD.

      There was nothing Microsoft could do about it.

  32. Grassroots by Schezar · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My roommate and I noticed something the other day at CompUSA. Most people don't have anything against Linux and open source per se, they're just uninformed.

    There was a gentleman about to purchase some software. I forget exactly what, but it was something that most certainly existed for Linux free as in both speech and beer. Scott stopped him and explained very simply about Linux and how he doesn't actually need to pay one red cent for most software. By the end of the conversation, he was all ready to run home and boot a Knoppix CD to try it out. Even his wife was interested.

    It wasn't that they were afraid to try something new, it was just that they didn't realize there are alternatives to Windows.

    Now, corporations have another problem: the Sunken Cost Fallacy. Managers don't seem to understand that, for most business uses of a computer, there is no real reason to use Windows. They furthermore believe that, since they've already paid for a Windows environment, they'd lose that investment if they switched, and thus continue to pay.

    I've found in my professional life that most office workers need very little to do their job. Office Suite, Web Browser, Calendar/Collaboration Software, Email, File Sharing, and maybe a simple Database: that's it.

    Granted, there are some applications professionals use that don't currently exist in usable form on Linux, but those users can remain on Windows for the time being. (Or WINE, if they're adventurous). The first step is switching over all the office drones and secretaries who, quite frankly, don't need much software to do their job.

    Heh... We're seriously considering standing outside of CompUSA one day and handing out Knoppix CDs and pamphlets. Spread the word. Vive la revolution! Blah blah blah....

    You get my point ;^)

    --
    GeekNights!
    Late Night Radio for Geeks!
    1. Re:Grassroots by ChicagoDave · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I would invite you and anyone else that thinks Linux would be a simple switch from Windows to take a tour through a major corporation and review the number of third party applications that are Windows based and are mission critical, if not legally required. Financial institutions are good example. Although they have a great deal of *nix systems, they also have a ton of Windows-based departmental systems that *nix doesn't offer and yet are required for SEC reporting and basically running their business.

      I agree that if you have an environment that requires a limited scope of software which is vertical in nature, Linux is a very viable alternative, but to say this is possible everywhere isn't very forthcoming.

      This is why Sun failed and yes, I am saying this in hindsight. If Sun had promoted client-side, windows, _compiled_ development back in the late '90's, they would have pulled in tons of Visual Basic developers and a lot of these third party applications would now be running in Java and therefore portable to *nix platforms.

      But the unrealistic passion for cross-platform-ness over basic good business sense overwhelmed Sun and we now see the results of those poor decisions. Some may say there was no way to get in bed with Microsoft with windows and survive, but I disagree....the way to beat Microsoft is to build better _clients_, not better OS's, better compilers, or better office products. You need to have tens of thousands of easily built departmental applications that run efficiently.

      Take note of Mono now and start writing Mono WinForms apps. When the Mono people get smart-client technology working, you will see a surge in linux based departmental applications.

      My two cents.

      --
      http://chicagodave.wordpress.com
    2. Re:Grassroots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Standing outside CompUSA and handing out Knoppix CDs and pamphlets --- Do! Fantastic.

      While you're at it, hand out some voter registration forms :-)

    3. Re:Grassroots by 16K+Ram+Pack · · Score: 1
      I think the application list you have is largely complete.

      I'd also add accounts package, whether SAGE or whoever. A lot of small businesses have those. The other thing is, bespoke/specialised software that is for your business.

      What you are saying is true, though. I've been telling people about OpenOffice and Mozilla, and got a few converts. In part, they've converted due to awareness.

    4. Re:Grassroots by molarmass192 · · Score: 1

      If Sun had promoted client-side, windows, _compiled_ development back in the late '90's ... Ummm, they did just that, the problem was that devs obviously weren't willing to compromise on the early look-and-feel and memory load issues with the early Java releases and personally I don't blame them. First impressions are very important and (sadly) Java didn't make a very good first impression. The good news is that virtually all those early GUI issues have been solved, the bad news is that those old perceptions remain.

      Also, the key to Java's popularity is it's cross-platformness. I doubt Java would still be around if it weren't for that single key feature. In fact, this is what's allowing Java to grow exponentially in the embedded space right now. There are even signs of a rebirth of Java applets and applications on the desktop ever since the release of 1.4 and the massive performance improvements it brought with it.

      --

      Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws-Plato
    5. Re:Grassroots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      make sure you and your room mate dont try to interfere with my software purchases or else you might find those Knoppix CDs somewhere you wont like them.

    6. Re:Grassroots by Apreche · · Score: 1

      and yet are required for SEC reporting and basically running their business.

      This should be illegal. There was a case in Texas I read about. I don't remember all the details, but this is the general deal. There was a building code law in this town, as all towns usually have. One of the things you had to comply with to meet code was a standard which was copyrighted/patented by a local company. They wouldn't tell anyone how to meet the code because it was a trade secret. The judge ruled that the law can't be secret. If the law is secret people can't obey it.

      What does this mean? It means the government can't force you to report to them in a proprietary format. If there is a law that I have to submit something to the feds, and they only accept .doc that means the government requires me to get/use MS Word. If the SEC requires you to use some proprietary windows only program to send them reports required by law and you want to use linux, you should start a lawsuit. You'll win too if you site this case and other cases as precedent.

      Yes, linux has trouble in vertical markets because nobody is going to make the quality piece of software to run a real estate agency for example. But vertical markets is where linux has the most potential for use. Most people at home pay for windows via the windows tax or piracy. They don't feel the hurt in the wallet for windows whether it exists or not. Small businesses feel the hurt from windows licensing bad, or they feel the hurt from the BSA. If they can replace the one or two 3rd party apps they absolutely need with linux alternatives they will switch in a second.

      Read my journal for the complete CompUSA story.

      --
      The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
    7. Re:Grassroots by kent_eh · · Score: 1

      Heh... We're seriously considering standing outside of CompUSA one day and handing out Knoppix CDs and pamphlets. Spread the word. Vive la revolution! Blah blah blah....

      Would you stick a disk in your computer that some strange guy on the street handed you?

      How do most people react when someone is standing on the street corner handing out panphalets? Isn't the usual reaction is about the same as the guy with the "The World Is Ending" sign gets?

      Folks already think us geeks are a bit strange, whaddya want to make them think we are completely insane for?

      --

      ---
      "I can't complain, but sometimes still do..." Joe Walsh
    8. Re:Grassroots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I managed to convince someone random chap in the local computer shop to install Linux From Scratch. I gave him a copy of the latest printout and sent him on his way. A week later I saw him again and he thanked me for changing his life.

      I asked him if he found it difficult, he said no. I asked him if it was more difficult than Windows to install and use and he said definately not. The only difficult thing he said, was understanding why people perpetuate the myth that reducing every computing problem to a pretty icon is the only viable solution.

      I shook his hand and exited stage left, followed closely by a bear.

    9. Re:Grassroots by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, Sun DIDN'T do that -- not at first.

      What they did do is sign a deal to let Microsoft carry the water for them with client-side Java. Which devolved into 3 years of finger-pointing and lawsuits while Java on Windows went nowhere. By the time Sun got Java for Windows decently packaged, NET was 1 year or so behind.

    10. Re:Grassroots by PReDiToR · · Score: 1

      Would you stick a disk in your computer that some strange guy on the street handed you?

      Would you click on an executable in an email from someone you didn't know?

      People who shop at CompUSA do it all the time. Why should a CD seem more dangerous to them?

      --

      Do not meddle in the affairs of geeks for they are subtle and quick to anger
  33. what's to come by dijjnn · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I know that every year there's about a two or three month period when everyone starts to think that 'linux' (gnu/linux) is finally staking a claim on the computing world at large, and then all the fanboys (linux, MS, & Apple) start duking it out in the forums.

    And i'm a natural skeptic, i am... but something about this time around feels good. We're hearing about adoption in the public and private sector. Companies are including OSS in their IT road maps. Microsoft is FUD-foaming at the mouth every day, scrambling to patent everything about an OS that's not coming out for probably at least two years.

    What does everyone else think? Am i alone in this feeling that the wind has changed?

    Obviously there's a lot of work ahead, and i don't think that we've gotten past even the worst of the danger. But the last few months have been... well, positive.

    --
    ~dijjnn
    1. Re:what's to come by megarich · · Score: 0

      I think it will happen in the gradual slow process that its been happenning. There's not going to be a overnight sensation of linux. It's just slowly going to keep building on its head of steam until one day when it will be on par with windows(competition wise). That day we are going to refect back and wonder "damn when did this happen" Fact is, there is no such thing as bad press and as more and more people find out about linux and get fed up with the microsoft bs, then they will switch and see for themselves....

    2. Re:what's to come by AstroDrabb · · Score: 1

      I doubt desktop Linux will happen that way. Linux on the server yes, it is growing extremely fast. However on the desktop, I don't think there will ever be the "Year of desktop Linux". It will be a gradual adoption. More users will try it and for some it will be ready and for other it will not. A few months later the same thing will happen. Lather, rinse, repeat. The main issue for desktop Linux is commercial software support. That will be a slow change as more and more companies dip their feet in the water and try it out. Again, I think Linux on the desktop will see a slow gradual acceptance while Linux on the server is already strong now and growing very fast.

      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
    3. Re:what's to come by im+a+fucking+coward · · Score: 1

      You've gotta remember MS has enough cash saved to give away it's operating system for a few years if the shareholders don't kill anyone. So barring continued infection from viri/worms, there's no absolute threat to their position on the desktop.

      Still, if Ballmer is starting to sweat stuff like Open Office, you've gotta wonder 'why now?'. What's changed in the past year that makes the CEO voice stupid concerns internally? It's gotta have something to do with MSs valuation.

  34. Why Can't they? by pr0vidence · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "The only sites they can't reach are those that require Internet Explorer. And while they can't play Shockwave games..."

    Why not? there is a shockwave plugin avilable that works with Mozilla and Konqueror (that I know of). Granted the plugin sucks royal ass and runs about half the speed it would on a comparable Windows box, that is shockwave's fault, however. But it still works.

    Also a little useragent tweaking should get most of those "IE required" sites working too.

    I am glad to see this. It seems libraries are having enough trouble these days with budget cuts without having to worry about how they are going to pay expensive software licenses.

    1. Re:Why Can't they? by RV.eq.VFG · · Score: 1

      there is a shockwave plugin avilable that works with Mozilla and Konqueror (that I know of).

      Where can you download it from? Macromedia only provide a flash player for linux and not a shockwave player on their site.

    2. Re:Why Can't they? by AstroDrabb · · Score: 2, Informative
      Do you have a link for the Shockwave plugin? Or are you thinking of the Flash plugin? I know that Macromedia has a _Flash_ plugin, but I never found a _Shockwave_ plugin. You can use cross over plugin which will use the MS Windows version of Shockwave, though that is not the same as having a native Linux version.

      Some of the problems with IE "only" sites are they they are created by dummies that cannot handle making a simple HTML page with a little standards comliant JavaScrit and use JavaScript like document.all which is non-standard crap MS uses. A quick change of document.all to document.getElementById is often all that is needed.

      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
  35. Replacing NT by operagost · · Score: 0, Informative
    He told us: "We use Linux on old boxes as routers, as firewalls, we have tried to use linux wherever it makes sense. Our e-mail server is Linux, and we are in the midst of migrating all of our Windows NT domain controllers to Linux."
    Good luck with that - Samba still doesn't support NT 4.0 BDCs, nor does it support multi-master operations necessary for Active Directory. They'll have to rely on a single domain controller for each domain, or use a sloppy hack with replication. Better make it a reliable box.
    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    1. Re:Replacing NT by Seth+Finklestein · · Score: 0

      What FUD. The recent nightly builds of Samba do support NT 4.0 BDCs as well as multi-master opterations necessary for Active Directory. My organisation no longer needs to rely on a single domain controller for each domain, nor does it need to use a sloppy hack with replication.

      Of course the box is reliable. What do you think it runs -- Windows?!

      --
      I'm not Seth Finkelstein. I still speak the truth.
    2. Re:Replacing NT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      sloppy hack's typically work better than anything that comes out of Redmond. BDC = Brain Dead Controller. NDS is a billion times better.

    3. Re:Replacing NT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Good luck with that - Samba still doesn't support NT 4.0 BDCs"

      Neither they need it, since they are in the way to migrate *all* their Windows NT DCs (no NT, no need for NT integration, rigth?)

      "...nor does it support multi-master operations necessary for Active Directory."

      Neither does Win NT, does it? so no difference here.

      "They'll have to rely on a single domain controller for each domain"

      No, they don't. There's no *native DC replication*... nor they need it. Again, they're migrating *all* their NT DCs. They can go with the much more reliable and expandable openLDAP support for accounting, can't they? As long as they don't add Windows 2000/2003 server crap to the equation they will be just OK.

    4. Re:Replacing NT by 0BoDy · · Score: 1

      Definitely. Samba's good, and important, but it has some serious issues. I can't use the samba client reliably on a linux box at all, and as such can't set up platform-independent log-in for myself. I can't really store my user profile on the server either. If the server goes down, all the linux clients will follow it, regardless of what sort of OS the CIFS server is running on. How do we help the samba team fix this??

      --
      Can I be a Luddite too?
  36. They should have picked Ninnle Linux! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No worries about anything with Ninnle!

  37. I've used these machines by frankie · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I've used HoCo library systems for 20some years. The new setup has a kiosk-ish fullscreen window which at first glance looks identical to the previous MS Windows environment, except that it's running Mozilla instead of Explorer. It's possible to get to the desktop and poke around a little bit, but the local security is locked down enough to prevent casual damage.

    Most other patrons don't notice the OS change at all, except that they don't crash or get hit with popups/malware/etc, which is an excellent endorsement for Linux in public terminals.

    I hope the library has a good remote method for updates though. As much as I dislike Windows, SUS is A Good Thing. Also, they really ought to jump to Firefox when it hits 1.0.2 or so.
    1. Re:I've used these machines by PReDiToR · · Score: 1

      Also, they really ought to jump to Firefox when it hits 1.0.2 or so

      Can you honestly say that in your normal day's usage, you find Firefox to be any less reliable or secure than Mozilla?

      I hate to seem like a fanboi, but Firefox has been my browser of choice for over a year now and to see people maligning it for not being 1.x is, to me, like telling them not to buy a computer because they don't have quantum desktops yet.

      You know all the arguments, Gecko engine, stable branch, extensions and all that, so I won't bother preaching at you.

      --

      Do not meddle in the affairs of geeks for they are subtle and quick to anger
  38. uphill challenge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    until average joe can operate it easier,better,more intuitivly than he can a windows/mac OS the road is uphill, MS/Mac spend a barrow load of cash on comp science and UI studies, so instead of moaning from the sidelines, take notes, learn and make sure that Linux has better science behind it (it already has the passion) and if people think Linux really is better they will use it

  39. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well, it migth be coz in San Jose many people speak Spanish. No news that they won't use a Linux distribution that in Spanish sounds like "harlotx" or "bitchx" (in Spanish, "lumis" is a name for bad reputation women).

  40. Hmm by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I'm suprised that they didn't just install the plug ins for flash and java...

    --
    Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    1. Re:Hmm by hopemafia · · Score: 1

      If you had read the article you would see they did. It's shockwave they didn't install.

      --
      If God had had a computer it would have taken him 7 months to create the earth...if he even bothered to do it at all.
    2. Re:Hmm by AstroDrabb · · Score: 1
      They did. From the article:
      And while they can't play Shockwave games, Flash- and Java-enabled Web sites display just fine.
      Emphasis mine.
      --
      If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land,
      it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison
  41. My favorite excerpt from the story by borkus · · Score: 4, Insightful
    One patron asked Dave as he was walking by one day if he had anything to do with the computers. Dave said yes, and the user thanked him for stopping the pop-up ads.

    So many people become inured to the nuisances of MS Software that they don't realize that there's an alternative. Also, they don't realize that those alternatives are as good as Microsoft's or better and ...free!
    Now, if they could only get that patron to download Firefox at home...
    1. Re:My favorite excerpt from the story by Library+Spoff · · Score: 1

      maybe the patron doesn't have a pc in the house?

      I know a lot of our pc users don't have pc's or net access at home. I've been slowly trying to get our Libraries to use more freeware/open source stuff.

      so far Putty (as our way of telnetting into dynix) and a .pdf writer are it.

      Our IT dept are a bit wary. christ they wouldn't even support a mac!

      --
      Acid House saves Souls
  42. More like a small business success story by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Every library would like to have a couple of Linux Luminaries on their staff. So now these guys go off and form their own company and sell their services back to the library. (Of course even the Google cache of Lumixtech is /.ed)

  43. ltsp by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They should have used ltsp (linux terminal server project) for all this. They seem to like taking the long hard(er) way....

    1. Re:ltsp by Democritus2 · · Score: 0
      I agree

      I did a sample LTSP setup for another government agency with 30 machines all coming off a single Dell linux server (gentoo). They were very impressed, the speed was as good if not better then the brand new desktops they spend 1500 a pop on.

      It looks like for kiosk mode it would be a no brainer to do LTSP instead of writing your own distro.

      --

      no god is good

  44. Weird timing by darthv506 · · Score: 1

    We just had our monthly Systems meeting this morning and one of the topics the director had was how we were going to upgrade/continue our open access public web terminals. Unfortunately we are shackled in with a MS only print solution now...and I have my doubts that we will be allowed to migrate to a Redmond-free solution.

    1. Re:Weird timing by tommck · · Score: 1

      You might be able to mount the printer through Samba though.

      You can keep one machine running the printer and then run software on the Linux boxen that prints to the windows printer through Samba.

      N'est-ce pas?

      --
      ---- It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again. It does this whenever it's told.
  45. Why? by GoClick · · Score: 1

    We don't have any share holders to apease (as a group I realize some distros do)

    I'd say 90% of IT managers don't care what the ad says so much as their smart underlings

    Would you like to pay for it?

  46. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by Moth7 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    English speakers use an IRC client called BitchX though...

  47. Deja Vu ? by TTL0 · · Score: 2, Funny
    I wonder if there is an audio file on thier site (maybe in .au format) that goes like this:

    "Hello, my name is Luis Salazar and i pronounce "Lumix." loo-mix".

    --
    Sanity is the trademark of a weak mind. -- Mark Harrold
  48. In addition to changing the user workstations... by Wister285 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They might also want to consider changing the server software. OpenBiblio looks like a pretty nice system. I'm not sure how adequate it would be though considering I have only used library software a few times lately.

  49. Small town library by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I have been asked to help setup a kiosk like structure for a library is a small town of less than 500 people. Most of the computer patrons will be the children and the elderly. It will consist of a few Pentium II machines and an old hplj-4 printer. I was thinking that something like Knoppix would be a good choice but because of the fact that the computers are old, I would like to avoid KDE and Gnome as much as possible. While a few small window managers come with Knoppix (like WM and ICE), they don't load by default and I haven't played around with Knoppix enough to figure out how to set new defaults. Any suggestions on lightweight but effective CD-rom based distributions.

    Also, while I know it is a hot topic around here, does anyone know of good software to prevent access to porn sites and what not for linux?

    1. Re:Small town library by derrith · · Score: 2, Informative

      If you're looking for small and simple, I've found that Damn Small Linux is excellent. It provides a simple, small linux distro that'll fit on one of those little business card cd-rs. It's running fluxbox as a windows manager and includes a whole slew of applications in 50MB of space. Check out the website.

      --
      why does the porridge bird lay his eggs in the air?
    2. Re:Small town library by Democritus2 · · Score: 0
      Squid proxy server

      Squid homepage

      It might be a bit excessive, but it will get the job done.

      --

      no god is good

  50. Microsoft lost the "browser war" by RoLi · · Score: 3, Insightful
    That's the sound of microsoft screaming in panic.

    Exactly.

    Actually, despite the average poster's contrary views, Microsoft lost the so-called "browser war".

    Netscape is destroyed, but Microsoft failed to destroy the Internet (and they did try to do exactly that with their at the time proprietary, incompatible MSN in the early 90's, which even got an icon in the default Windows 95 installation) and now they are scared because computers are connected with TCP/IP, HTTP, HTML, FTP, etc. all invented (or "innovated") in the OSS community, all open, all free and most importantly, all available on non-MS platforms.

    Even the most rabid winlots won't be able to claim with a straight face that a browser-only setup is cheaper with Windows. With more and more specialized and in-house software being developed web-based (mostly because of easier maintanance), Microsoft's lock on many desktops has weakened or even disappeared.

    1. Re:Microsoft lost the "browser war" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      TCP/IP was not "invented" by the OSS but by DOD.
      dont just pull anything out of ur ass.

  51. Drivers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There are FANTASTIC Linux drivers for most modern cards, a lot better than Windows for many of them.

    1. Re:Drivers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is in direct contradiction to what the majority of folks experience when dealing with ATi. nVidia has decent support but ATi (currently ruler of the graphics domain) is lacking.

  52. How to help by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 5, Insightful

    >Most libraries are stuck with Windows simply because they don't have enough money to move away (it does COST money to get everything working with linux)

    As geoffeg also notes, libraries are extremely crunched for money. They love volunteers for that reason. If a local linux users group worked out a long-term volunteer agreement with their local public library to help with their catalogue and IS systems, I'm sure it could result in switching their systems over to linux. It would take a bit of time and energy to earn trust and to help the librarians see the value, but I'm sure it could be a great way to help your local library and expose more people to linux at the same time.
    --
    Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
    1. Re:How to help by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 1

      I think a lot of libraries might be afraid to move from a known (but evil) system (Windows) to an unknown system. A solution might be to entice them with a one or two machine install as a test base.

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    2. Re:How to help by gstoddart · · Score: 2, Informative
      If a local linux users group worked out a long-term volunteer agreement


      Well, you'd have to be awful certain you'll be able to fulfill that promise, or in a few years when the LUGs can no longer provide that, you're gonna start reading stories about libraries having to shell out $$$ en-masse as they become unsupported and need Microsoft consultants to migrate them away.

      In this case, the actual staff the library who would have had to manage the machines anyway decided to simplify their lives. They built it, they maintain it.

      (I'm not saying not to run out and support your local library, but we wouldn't want to see the libraries get burned in the long-term.)
      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:How to help by anthro398 · · Score: 1

      They love volunteers

      Actually, that statement is far from true. Volunteers generally cost more to train and manage than the amount spent on an employee.

      My wife is a reference librarian at a small, rural public library and I am currently in Library School. I am a system admin in my department and have plenty of linux experience. The director of my wife's library will not consider any changes to their environment due to the need for full-time support. I've even offered a test system of my own that they can play with.

      They use consultants from a local computer store to maintain their Windows 2K based network. Some representative from the local LUG isn't going to convince most librarians to hop on a new train that hasn't, in their experience, been proven. They've got enough headaches with filtering issues, perverts, and bratty kids whose parents think "library" means "free babysitting" in Greek.

    4. Re:How to help by switcha · · Score: 1
      and expose more people to linux at the same time.

      At the risk of being a heretic, is a public library the place to be "exposing" (rhymes with evangelizing) users to a system that simply does what Windows also simply does? I think it's safe to say not a lot of people use public terminals for compiling code. Web, word pro, etc. is about it. The stark fact is that the "public" uses MS. They know it and are comfortable with it (despite now knowing how bad it sucks).

      If I was a granny who could just barely function on a computer, I'd resent this unfamiliar system loaded with incongruent applications. If I don't give a crap about the power of grep, I would care more about keeping myself in my comfort zone. I (as a granny) go to the library to find info and entertainment, not learn a new OS.

      I know there are plenty of other very legitimate reasons to go open source, financial considerations a major one, but there's a definite tinge of comments in this topic that feel evangelical, and I'm just thinking that a library might not be the best place to deviate from the common denominator simply for the sake of not using MS.

      --
      You know what? ... A little club soda *did* get that out!
    5. Re:How to help by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 1

      >>They love volunteers
      >Actually, that statement is far from true. Volunteers generally cost more to train and manage than the amount spent on an employee.

      As with many things, YMMV. You are certainly right in many cases. My experience with Red Cross and most other volunteer organizations is that maybe one volunteer in ten is the equivalent of a decent paid employee. OTOH it isn't always so. Our local Friends of the Library volunteer group is full of retired teachers, Seven Sisters graduate Junior League types and so on. Very competent, energetic people. Given the nasty budget cuts of the last few years, the place literally couldn't run without them.
      Certainly, what I was suggesting requires a long-term commitment to work. Not every group is up to that, but some probably are. After all other groups from the local Harley Owners Group to the Rotary Club have ongoing projects that they support year in and year out, some of which take a lot of work.
      --
      Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
    6. Re:How to help by sparrow_hawk · · Score: 1

      If you're interested in doing this, I suggest you check out Koha, an open-source library cataloging system. The biggest boondoggle at most libraries is going to be the database system the librarians use to check in/out books and search, because in general it's the only piece they have to buy from an outside (proprietary) vendor. Make sure you spend a lot of quality time training the librarians on the new system, because otherwise they'll complain about it not being like the old system, even if it's objectively better. (Believe me, I've seen the kind of holy wars that go on within a library.)

      If there was a LUG in town, I'd propose doing this at my own local library, but I'm pretty much the only Linux person in the area. I used to work there, and I got permission to try switching some of the library computers to Mozilla, because the systems were underpowered and the popups were terrible. Unfortunately, one of the patrons complained that their site didn't look right, and the head librarian made me switch it right back. I had just *finally* gotten them to catalog the RedHat ISOs I burned for them when the library (literally) burned down. Argh.

      Working as outside help (as opposed to being an employee and trying to change it from within) may alleviate some of these problems; the patience of Job is also helpful. Remember -- it's not about making the library's systems "better" by installing Linux on them, it's making them more *useful* that counts. Good luck!

    7. Re:How to help by westlake · · Score: 1
      If a local linux users group worked out a long-term volunteer agreement with their local public library to help with their catalogue and IS systems, I'm sure it could result in switching their systems over to linux.

      It may not be all that easy.

      Our village library is a member of an upstate cooperative serving three rural and suburban counties spread over 3000 square miles, a strong, stable, regional LUG would have to think twice about offering to maintain the shared electronic cataloging and transaction system (Windows based) and there is nothing of that sort to be found.

      These rural library systems are not simply locked-down kiosks for e-mail and the web. For some folks it is their only access to the sophisticated applications, hardware and peripherals their neighbors take for granted. This I think is the principal failing of Slashdot Geeks who look to the kiosk model as the ideal.

  53. Kickass! by Khan · · Score: 1

    This story really brightened my day especially since we are still in the middle of patching our fscking Windows servers. It's great to see a success story like this. I think I'll forward a link to the major news outlets. You never know who might pick it up.

    --

    "Klaatu, verada, necktie!" -Ash

  54. http://de.samba.org/samba/docs/man/howto/samba-bdc by DAldredge · · Score: 4, Informative


    http://de.samba.org/samba/docs/man/howto/samba-b dc .html

    Samba-3 is capable of acting as a Backup Domain Controller (BDC) to another Samba Primary Domain Controller (PDC). A Samba-3 PDC can operate with an LDAP Account backend. The LDAP backend can be either a common master LDAP server, or a slave server. The use of a slave LDAP server has the benefit that when the master is down, clients may still be able to log onto the network. This effectively gives Samba a high degree of scalability and is an effective solution for large organizations. If you use an LDAP slave server for a PDC, you will need to ensure the master's continued availability - if the slave finds it's master down at the wrong time, you will have stability and operational problems.

  55. Perhaps they should contact their local LUG. by jamonterrell · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Many LUGs even meet at libraries. I'm sure an arrangement could be made. It would serve as an excellent opportunity for a LUG to train its less clued members and to accomplish something to help their community library at the same time.

    --
    I can count to 1023 on my hands. Ask me about #132.
    1. Re:Perhaps they should contact their local LUG. by Colonel+Angus · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I work in the IT dept for a county in Ontario. I'm not sure how other counties are set up in Canada, let alone in the States, but here, libraries are the responsibility of the IT dept. If a LUG were to make such a proposition to a library here it would likely (unfortunately) be turned down.

      Sadly, this place, like many others are so hooked on MS that I doubt I'll see the day where anything else is used. I couldn't even get them to use Linux on a TESTING web server. No, they went out and bought a brand new system with 2003. For a goddamned test web server.

      If this situation doesn't apply to you, Godspeed! It would be great to get more of the general public exposed to Linux in an environment where it's designed to be comfortable for them.

    2. Re:Perhaps they should contact their local LUG. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Rather than the people that need the solutions having to find the LUGs or other resources, the local LUGs should have "Linux Solutions" demonstrations (say every four months). Stories like this one could be highlighted, and Linux could be demonstrated. I think that if there were advertising for these demonstrations, schools, libraries and other organizations looking for ways to upgrade their systems and/or lower their costs would love to see these solutions. This could work to bring more people into the Linux community and even create business opportunities.

  56. And Free Wi-Fi Too by acidos · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I just moved to Howard County about a month ago. I can practically spit on the HCPL Center from my house. I've been meaning to check it out, and free wi-Fi is sealing the deal for me.

    And it really is refreshing to see library IT people being able to use Linux to breathe new life into perfectly good old PCs. I stopped off at the Prince George's County Library (also in MD) last night, and their web-based card catalog system is access through IE3 on Win95 Gateway machines, and they're still so slow to be practically unusable.

    --
    -- get on Freenet!
    1. Re:And Free Wi-Fi Too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey, over here in lovely PG Co, they tried to shut our library down because...it was too busy! I kid you not. Well, then there was the spy a few years back using the library computers to contact people he should not have been - which is never a good way for a library to get in the news.

      But, let's face it, Howie Co is not exactly the sticks technology wise. They could probably tap any library patron on the shoulder and chances are they'd get a techie.

    2. Re:And Free Wi-Fi Too by Nynaeve · · Score: 1

      ... their web-based card catalog system is access through IE3 on Win95 Gateway machines, and they're still so slow to be practically unusable.

      They may benefit from Micro95. This plus Firefox is a good combo.

  57. At least the server WAS working just fine.... by The+Fun+Guy · · Score: 3, Funny
    Lumix is open source, and if you're interested in getting a CD containing Lumix, just send them a request for it by e-mail What they can't do, he said, is visit your site and install or debug it for you.

    Luis and Mike, however, are offering additional assistance for those who require it. They can be reached at the LumixTech Web site.

    Ouch. You gotta feel sorry for their mailserver and webserver now that this has been brought to the attention of /.

    "The Howard County Public Library burned to the ground today when several computers burst into flames, touching off the conflagration."....

    --
    The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. - Mark Twain
  58. WinVNC by metalix · · Score: 0

    Each PC runs a script twice a day to check for any configuration changes or patches, so they no longer have to visit each machine individually in order to roll out new functionality or upgrades.

    Someone should've shown these guys "VNC.

    It's still tedious, but so is logging on to each linux box to patch it. Luckily that won't happen as often.

    1. Re:WinVNC by BenjyD · · Score: 1

      I would think they used cron for the patches - no need for any human intervention at all.

    2. Re:WinVNC by dokebi · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You should have read more carefully before posting. It says Each PC runs runs a script twice a day. They are not logging on to each machine, but the machines keep themselves up to date through I would guess a reference box.

      In fact, if you read the other article in the link, it says each machine is set up to wake-on-LAN, so they can be turned on and off remotely as well.

      This must be god-sent to the Librarians. The machines turn themselves on and off, they update themselves from a central server (probably set up for the whole county), and they erase cookies and cache themselves. No more playing IT Admin whenever there is a new MS patch, no more virii, and at no additional software cost. As long as someone intelligent is updating the reference machine, this is an ideal set-up-and-forget system. I really hope this catches on.

      --
      In Soviet Russia, articles before post read *you*!
    3. Re:WinVNC by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is no human intervention. The scripts are indeed automating things. Looks like yet another Slashbot didn't RTFA. Go figure...

    4. Re:WinVNC by Run4yourlives · · Score: 1

      lol... sure bud, you VNC into more than just "your other computer" and we'll talk once again.

    5. Re:WinVNC by MenTaLguY · · Score: 1

      Me too. Looks like people are finally taking cues from places like infrastructures.org.

      --

      DNA just wants to be free...
    6. Re:WinVNC by dododge · · Score: 1
      This must be god-sent to the Librarians. The machines turn themselves on and off,

      These guys gave a talk to the local LUG a few months back, and they did say that one of the librarians' favorite features of this system is that the systems shut down automatically at the end of the day.

      Apparently the librarians were constantly having problems getting users to stop what they were doing and LEAVE, so that they could close up the library. With the Linux terminals, the user gets some sort of notification a few minutes ahead of time, and then it just unmercifully stops working. This gets the people to leave, and it doesn't make the librarians look like the bad guy.

  59. Seems to make perfect sense to me. by xystren · · Score: 2, Interesting

    One of the biggest issues I've had with M$ is with each successive version, the hardware requirements just increasing above and beyond.

    I mean really, with the cost to upgrade to XP, plus the cost of hardware upgrades, where the Linux route cost virtually nothing.

    If you look closely at a lot of the TCO advertisements and such, they are compared between a mainframe, and a dual-processer Xeon Intel box. Hmmmmm, I wonder where the majority of the TCO is comming from? Hmmmmm. Could it be the HARDWARE? Tell me why they aren't comparing the Linix solution on a dual Xeon Intel box??

    Because **IF** the underlying hardware is the same, there is no real comparison for the OS. (Couple thousand vs free) Hmmmmmm. How can one even compare to the other.

    It's like putting a leather steering wheel cover on a Kia, and one on a Porsche, and saying that the Kia has the lower TCO. Well, uhhh, DUH!!! The KIA has the lower TCO with out the leather cover also. So does the steering wheel cover really affect the TCO?

    These TCO comparisons should be made on the SAME hardware, rather than the vastly different hardware.

    ---
    No matter what happens, act like you meant it to happen!

  60. Seems pretty one-way to me... by RoLi · · Score: 1, Troll
    Yeah right, I still recall Linus Torvalds, Stallman and Alan Cox saying stuff like "Windows is a cancer", "Windows is unamerican" and "Windows destroys jobs".

    Oh wait...

    It's funny that the Winlots generally use "some anonymous posters" of course without any actual references to prove that the OSS-community is evil, but seem to purposely forget the things Microsoft TOP MANAGEMENT (and NOT some random nameless posters who don't count anyway) said.

    1. Re:Seems pretty one-way to me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Proprietary software is immoral - Richard Stallman.

      Oh wait..

  61. Maybe now... by farzadb82 · · Score: 1
    Is a good time to have libraries distribute knoppix cds, hold classes on installing/running linux, etc.

    If they need volenteers, I'd be willing to help my local library, and I'm sure there are others out there.

  62. You are a fucking liar by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you were an MCP in those categories and was lost using XP, you are either a fucking liar or a useless "paper" MCP.

    XP is 2000 with skins, and not too much more.

    1. Re:You are a fucking liar by FooBarWidget · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      It's exactly because of zealot-trolls like you why the MS community is so hated. Get a clue.

    2. Re:You are a fucking liar by ErichTheWebGuy · · Score: 1

      1. Control Panel - hunt and peck for what you want
      2. No ntfs security attributes displayed by default
      3. No network file sharing ability by default (not such a bad thing actually)

      and it goes on and on like that. Also, I wonder why, if you were trying to make a valid point, you posted as AC? Afraid of losing Karma?

      --
      bash: rtfm: command not found
    3. Re:You are a fucking liar by metamatic · · Score: 1

      Three years of using and administrating Windows 2000 every day, and I was lost with XP. That is, until someone showed me how to put it in "2000 mode"...

      It's quite possible that XP is an improvement over 2000. However, once you've learned the sequence of ever-deeper dialogs you need to go to to alter the TCP/IP settings, it's a bit of a bugger to have them move everything around.

      --
      GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
  63. Step two: Marketing... by ForemastJack · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I didn't see any indication that they were making it clear to the Library patrons that they were using Linux and not Windows. I think that's a massive lost opportunity.

    Seriously. It's great that Linux can seamlessly replace Windows in such a high-traffic environment. It would be even greater if there were signs near the kiosks reading something like:

    Our kiosks run Linux, the free alternative to Microsoft Windows. We have made this switch to keep costs down as well as reduce virus problems and computer crashes.

    Slowly, but surely, the patrons -- or other librarians, or visiting school teachers -- will notice -- it may not matter then, but later...

    For example, six months later, a secretary who has been using the library is switched to Linux at work. Now, instead of freaking out when I.T. Guy he's removing Windows from her/his machine, (s)he thinks, "Oh! They run that at the library. I can do that."

    Or better yet, perhaps (s)he, having gotten hit with yet another virus, starts telling her supervisor, "Why don't we switch to Linux? It's free and has fewer viruses, and I know how to use it."

    Will it happen fast? No. But floods start with a trickle. HoCo is to be commended for making the switch -- now they should toss in a little marketing, too.

    1. Re:Step two: Marketing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Come on guys, mod this up. It is very insightful, excellent advice.

    2. Re:Step two: Marketing... by dirk · · Score: 1

      Why exactly is this a good idea? Why can't they just use what they think is best for the job without trying to push what they like on everyone else? I certainly don't want to see a sign everywhere that says "We use MS Windows, the leader in PC operating systems because it is the best for our job. It does everything we need it to, and does it well."

      The library is not there to push your pet OS. If they use it, that's great. It's not their job to convince other people to use it anymore than it is to convince people who use Linux to use Windows.

      --

      "Information wants to be expensive" - Stewart Brand, the same guy who said "Information wants to be free"
    3. Re:Step two: Marketing... by ChristTrekker · · Score: 2

      Especially if they delay the marketing a bit. "Guess what, these machines you've been using, and using so well and easily, with fewer viruses and less downtime over the past three months, do not run Windows. And we cut costs at the same time. The solution is called Linux and Open-Source Software."

    4. Re:Step two: Marketing... by ForemastJack · · Score: 1

      The library is not there to push your pet OS.

      Actually, my pet OS is OS X -- I don't own a Linux box.

      That said, the NewsForge article made it very clear that the guys who did this were Linux advocates. Thus, my comment was a suggestion towards furthing their expressed goals. Nice, unobtrusive, potentially effective.

      Although, indeed, to speak to your point about why Librarians -- or patrons -- should care about Open Source at all, I would counter that Librarians, as a whole, believe that information should be Free; that access to information should be free and accessible; that information is a social good.

      To quote from Libr.org:

      In this pervasive atmosphere of privately acquiring, processing, and selling information, the public library system, a long-standing custodian of the idea and practice, of information as a social good, is tottering. Its function is being redefined and stripped of its social character...

      ...Many librarians resist this direction and work valiantly, sometimes successfully...

      The values of F/OSS are very much in line with this agenda. The promotion of Open Source software should not be an unexpected manifestation of these ideals.

      More power to them. When the only free repositories of information in our society become beholden to a Corporation for their infrastructure, their information becomes suspect. Promote away, guys.

    5. Re:Step two: Marketing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I wouldn't call it "marketing," but rather "education," which is certainly well within a library's mission.

      The majority of the people who haven't adopted Linux haven't done so not because they tried it and rejected it, but because they're not even aware it exists or what it is.

      If that 95% who use Windows give Linux a good, solid try and, having tried it, then reject it, then yes, at that point in time this effort by a library would cross the line over from education to marketing.

    6. Re:Step two: Marketing... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How are people supposed to make an informed decision when they may not even be aware that an alternative to Windows actually exists? I think having the sign is a great idea.

  64. vote for new moderation category: ignorant by 0BoDy · · Score: 1

    BSOD's are nowhere near 4 years out of date. -- last time I booted into windows (XP pro) I got one. I don't really think that 640k comments can qualify as fud. -- I'd say that's more of a comentary on paradigms. Anybody who says windows doesn't break compatibility has never read the documentation for samba, or the book "Implementing CIFS", and have never heard of embrace and extend, AKA copy and break. I'm not saying that linux is completely without FUD -- ceartainly slashdot is rife with misinformed zealots, but telling the truth isn't FUD, it's a dialgue about problems with the system and a way to market.

    --
    Can I be a Luddite too?
  65. BSOD jokes are not out of date! by Nursie · · Score: 1

    My brand new Dell laptop running WinXP still suffers from them. Microsoft has not cured the BSOD.

    Yes this site is full of MS hate. That's 'cos they have done a lot to make people dislike them. Whereas Linux is made by "some of our own" and seems to have no agenda, and is not just there to suck people's wallets.

    Good troll though, I'll wait for the flamebait mods to flood in...

  66. This story is *years* late... by Kjella · · Score: 1

    ...my Ex-University's library has been using Linux/Mozilla since 2001 (yes, pre-1.0). They are dumb terminals only designed to search the library database and download/print articles though, no other OSS apps.

    Oh and if any of you admins there read this: You didn't lock it down well enough, I still managed to read slashdot even though you disabled editing the address bar & most of the copy-paste functionality :)

    Kjella

    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  67. The Article by TamMan2000 · · Score: 1

    It is just a name for their custom Linux From Scratch compile.

    That isn't what the article says...

    Lumix is open source, and if you're interested in getting a CD containing Lumix, just send them a request for it by e-mail.

    You can also visit their website. (pretty slow right now...)

    --
    "I'll have a Guinness, no wait, make that a Coors Light" -Grad student I work with, who shall remain anonymous...
  68. Clear up for the parent's link by asoap · · Score: 5, Funny
    I just read the article, and I think there is some clearing up that needs to be done. The MS rep said. "Open source is not Linux,"

    In the sense that Linux is the result of an open source project, and linux != open source.

    Because if that was true, then mozilla = linux.

    So it's the same thing as a Ford rep saying "Cars are not Corvettes". Because then, A Ford Focus would be a Corvette.

    And no matter how much you pray at night, your Ford Focus won't turn into a corvette.

    -asoap

    --
    Treat me like a marketing stat, and I'll treat your movie like a series of ones and zeros
    1. Re:Clear up for the parent's link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's why I had a hard time with discrete math, it's so freakin' ambiguous. In the sense of what the author inteded to represent, and how I wanted to interpret it.

    2. Re:Clear up for the parent's link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But it's so much more fun to misrepresent MS's position, falsify it, and make it seem like they're off their rocker, when they're just better at business and ease-of-use.

      How else will we attack them with an inferior product with no advertising budget? Tell me that, Mr. Smarty Pants.

    3. Re:Clear up for the parent's link by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      The Microsoft rep deliberately intended people to misunderstand his point.

      That is FUD. Otherwise he really had nothing to say that wasn't obvious to anyone who knows either what Linux is and/or what OSS is. And anyone who doesn't know these things doesn't care.

      It was MS propaganda, plain and simple.

      Microsoft better at ease of use? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

      Selling, yes. Marketing, yes. Contract law, yes.

      Ease of use? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

      Only an idiot who has only used Windows his whole life could say this.

      Not that Linux is intuitive either. But Windows is no more intuitive than any other complex piece of software.

      Mod this trollbait! Are you nuts? Come at me!

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  69. My linux VS my XP by phorm · · Score: 3, Informative

    I have dual-boot, so I can compare a bit:

    Games:
    XP: Lots, some older 98 games broken
    Linux: Less, some windows games work via Wine, increasing support (Doom3, HL2) expected

    Internet:
    XP: Firefox/IE
    Linux: Firefox

    Email:
    XP: Thunderbird
    Linux: Thunderbird

    Media:
    XP: Winamp, WMP
    Linux: XMMS/MPlayer (DVD's sometimes an issue)

    P2P:
    XP: KazaaLite, Emule
    Linux: Emule

    IM:
    XP: MSN 6.1, GAIM
    Linux: GAIM

    Office:
    XP: MS/OpenOffice
    Linux: OpenOffice

    CD Burning:
    XP: Nero, lots of others
    Linux: MKCD, lots of others

    DVD Burning:
    XP: Many suck, currently testing ULead DVD Workshop 2 (awesome)
    Linux: Experimenting (suggestions welcome)


    Those are my regular activities. Some of the other stuff may or may not work in linux

    1. Re:My linux VS my XP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You just summarized why so many of us still keep Windows desktops. Games, games, games and games. Right now I am playing Rise of Nations and I can tell you that Microsoft has no intention of releasing a Linux version of it.

    2. Re:My linux VS my XP by 42forty-two42 · · Score: 1
      P2P: XP: KazaaLite, Emule Linux: Emule
      Try apollon and giFT for P2P - they'll let you access gnutella, OpenFT, and Fasttrack (Kazaa) networks from one UI.
    3. Re:My linux VS my XP by 16384 · · Score: 1

      I use goggles for DVD's.

    4. Re:My linux VS my XP by krzysztof · · Score: 1
      Media:
      XP: Winamp, WMP
      Linux: XMMS/MPlayer (DVD's sometimes an issue)

      Try Xine for playing video. It's great.

    5. Re:My linux VS my XP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where XP works better.

      Graphics -
      XP: Photoshop
      Linux: Gimp

      Multimedia Development -
      XP: Macromedia, Adobe, Pinnacle, Ulead
      Linux: ...

      Publishing:
      XP: Quark
      Linux: (not even close)

      Copy & Paste:
      XP: No problems
      Linux: well we all know the cliche

    6. Re:My linux VS my XP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Xine has already been mentioned, but don't forget ogle for dvd playback. It's looks shit but works very well.

      I burn dvds with growisofs, if you want to point and click instead, check out KDE's k3b.

    7. Re:My linux VS my XP by __aafutm5472 · · Score: 1

      Supports DVD menus, too!

      I use Xine on my laptop and my multimedia PC (that runs my home theater).

    8. Re:My linux VS my XP by norite · · Score: 1

      Also for p2p, don't forget Limewire (Java powered). The Linux version is actually better than the Windows version, because it doesn't have any spyware :)

      --
      -- Fuck Beta
    9. Re:My linux VS my XP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "You just summarized why so many of us still keep Windows desktops. Games, games, games and games."

      Perhaps, but given M$ apparent attemps to migrate game developers to the XBox, how long is this likely to be an issue?

      If I were to fund a new gaming effort, Id much prefer to develop it for fixed hardware (ie. consoles) than a platform which can have a broad range of vendor specific hardware issues (ie. PC video cards)

    10. Re:My linux VS my XP by XryanX · · Score: 1

      "Graphics -
      XP: Photoshop
      Linux: Gimp"


      Photoshop may be more powerful, but it loses in the bang-for-your buck category.

      Personally, I don't need anything more powerful than GIMP. Then again, most people that are going to do serious graphic design are going to use OS X anyway.

    11. Re:My linux VS my XP by FireFury03 · · Score: 1

      Linux: XMMS/MPlayer (DVD's sometimes an issue)

      I use xine for DVDs, which works well. Although having said that, xine doesn't draw the menus quite right on the FireFly DVDs (ogle does, but I don't like ogle).

      Linux: GAIM

      Whilst I use Gaim, it really does wind me up - doesn't support chat sessions properly in MSN (and they seem to indicate they're not going to in the near future) and the auto reconnect stuff insists on popping up a window when it reconnects instead of quietly doing it in the background. Although MSN is annoying anyway since it only allows 1 machine to log in at once (I only use it because I can't convince the people I talk to to use a sane system).

      The only thing I used to use Windows for was Excel, so about 2 years ago I decided that OOo had gotten good enough and binned Windows entirely - never looked back. (Ok, I do keep a Windows box around for testing my web sites against IE's brokenness but that machine stays firmly turned off most of the time).

  70. Who cares? by bonch · · Score: 1

    Let's just revel in the fact that Slashdot will pounce on it, and we'll likely get an article later today about it.

    Facts? Bah. it's all about anti-"M$" propaganda today.

    1. Re:Who cares? by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

      Yeah, and yesterday several articles were full of nervous Windows trolls.

      Were you here yesterday? You're here today.

      Hey, troll, try this one on:

      Linux will eat Windows lunch.

      Have a nice day.

      What, no Trollbait mod? Are you nuts? Come at me!

      --
      Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  71. A much-needed upgrade-Coloring within the lines. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There's all that, and the most important point. Working with what you HAVE. Why go to all the trouble of specing, and buying a new server (with the associated buocracy)? The clients certainly are powerful enough for their solution.

    Also someone else mentioned the KDE kiosk mode, however they need to RTFA, and keep in mind that they were basically rolling their own distro. That's security for the whole OS, not just the desktop.

    And yes all the DE's can be locked down if you know what your doing.

  72. Re:Well, no. by schon · · Score: 1

    Windows is a very capable OS [...] [Linux,] does not have built into the kernel all the extra luggage that Windows niceties bring with them.

    You're comparing a whole OS to a single kernel?

    Your assessment is wrong. Linux (as an OS) has more features than Windows - there are tons of things that Linux can do that on Windows would require purchasing applications, or simply cannot be done at all.

    One of the features that Linux has is the ability to remove stuff you don't need. This is what was done here.

    Linux triumphs again, not by taking on Windows on the desktop

    Wrong, this is precisely what happened - Linux desktops have replaced Windows desktops, because Windows is unsuitable. It's pretty clear.

  73. These libraries by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I live next to this Library, they do have linux on all the boxes there, not sure about the front desk checkout though. But the search catalogs and all those boxes are loaded with linux.

    Im famous! Come to savage library and meet me for an autograph.

  74. TCO by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This supports what I have been saying for a long time, now. Microsoft has priced themselves out of the market.

    And it has nothing to do with the Windows purchase price; it has everything to do with the constant patching, tweaking, fixing, re-installing, etc, etc. that accompanies Windows. They could give Windows away initially and it would still cost too much!

  75. Re:In addition to changing the user workstations.. by fishybell · · Score: 1
    Accoding to the article they're running Dynix. I'm not exactly sure what the license fees are for a public library of their size, but I can give you an average guess. I work for one of Dynix's competitors (COMPanioncorp.com), and we offer the "low-range" price point, and Dynix offers the "high-range." Our "low cost" software often runs $10K plus for a single library. Since they're running with the web module, that'll drive costs up even more. I expect them to being paying about $50K for the license, and $10K a year for tech support.

    On that note, OpenBiblio seems like it has a fairly large range of basic features (circulation, overdue notices, everything web based), but is lacking in a lot of features that librarians (especially head librarians) need. The statistics produced by OpenBiblio seem to be lacking all but the most basic information, Z 3 of 9 support is missing (aka Z3950 searching), card printing is non-functional, images can't be attached to patrons, users, or items (books, videos, etc), multiple collection libraries (ie a library with multiple branches) can't interconnect, it doesn't currently export (in any format), patron status is harcoded to either Adult or Juvenile (what about for K-12 libraries?), item status seems marginal at best, and finally the report functionalities are just bad.

    Without these basic needs that every commercial library automation software provides, how can they expect to actually serve a running library? What about advanced features that college libraries need? There's no interlibrary-loan, checkout polices, SIP2 support (alarm protocol), and the fine structure is too weak to handle complex situations.

    Maybe in 5 years OpenBiblio will be caught up to where commercial library automation is now. At least it's not chasing a moving target. The library automation market is very stagnant. New useful features are few and far between. Follet, for example, hasn't updated their software in over a year, they've fired their development team, and are continuing to sell the same product at the same price with plenty of success. Dynix, up until about 2 years ago, was still running all of their client machines on dumb terminals with those green/black screens in text-mode only. And guess what? it worked just fine for everyone.

    Good luck OpenBiblio.

    --
    ><));>
  76. Cool. How to prove black is white. by Moderation+abuser · · Score: 1

    Who would have thought that the Microsoft would be contributing to the state of the art of philosophy.

    --
    Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
  77. I live in Howard County by spooon · · Score: 5, Informative

    I live in Howard County. After a semester in college, I spent my winter break living at home. When I went to the library, I noticed that the library was running linux on their terminals. They've done a very good job setting up their computers to suit everyone's needs. The free wifi is a great service, too.

    --
    ~The log of the limit is equal to the limit of the log.
  78. Security Updates by vxvxvxvx · · Score: 1

    What I want to know, is how they plan to administer security updates. If it were Debian or Fedora etc, an auto-update system wouldn't be hard to implement. But, being LFS, they could put into place any number of methods for security updates (or, they could omit it -- which is what I would suspect.) It wouldn't look so good if next week we see this story again, except all the 200 machines were hacked and had to be shut down til they can fix it.

  79. Re:Well, NO..RTFA by MeNeXT · · Score: 1
    If you read the article then you would know that that is not the reason that they used Linux.


    It was the cost of upgrading, not the cost of Windows but the cost of upgrading.


    RTFA before commenting, it would help. Now where did these moderators come to make this Insightfull?

    --
    DRM? No thanks, I'll just get it somewhere else...
  80. Re:In addition to changing the user workstations.. by himself · · Score: 1

    Wister285 suggested:
    >
    > They might also want to consider changing the server software.
    > OpenBiblio looks like a pretty nice system.
    >
    They probably can't, as the software is frequently run by a whole consortium of libraries.
    Here in Rhode Island, the group is called CLAN and they share the same centralized Dynix system for catalogs & requests. If my library in Cumberland got a Free Software Bee in their bonnet, they'd need to cut themselves out of that whole system, and deny any ILL requests, inbound and outbound. I just can't see that happening.
    Now, I use the CLAN catalog weekly or daily by visiting the www.cumberlandlibrary.org web site and starting a search. It's *exactly* the same interface on an XP Pro system at work, on the crummy WIn 2000 (or whatever) beige boxes in the library proper, or my OS X iMac at home. And when a request comes in to the local branch, it dials my phone number and leaves me a message!
    The nice older lady who runs the circulation desk grouses to me about it, oh, once or twice a year when it's down for maintenance -- and yet they can continue checking books in & out locally (they just can't check on requests pending at other librarues).
    So you raise a good point, but many libraries aren't islands.

  81. I agree... I'm just the messenger by jnetsurfer · · Score: 1

    I know what you mean... The administration staff I spoke to never actually dialed any number but mine when something was broken and needed to be fixed. So my argument was, "It doesn't matter if you have a number to call or not, because you only ever call me to fix it". I don't put much faith in the fact that MS products have "Official Vendor" support. But many administration personnel at Schools and Libraries do... Which is why this article is good news.

  82. nice troll by univgeek · · Score: 1

    Getting "Linux triumphs again, ..., by stepping into niches where smaller, less feature-filled operating systems are needed." modded up as insightful was pretty damn good.

    Getting "Providing websurfing and wordprocessing capabilities with Linux is pretty damn good and more than one would expect from an OS developed in the OSS manner." modded up was even better.

    It's a good thing not too many people bit.

    --
    All bow to his Noodliness!! His Noodle Appendage has touched me!
  83. Grassroots-FLEX-ability. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Take note of Mono now and start writing Mono WinForms apps. When the Mono people get smart-client technology working, you will see a surge in linux based departmental applications."

    I disagree that MONO is the ONLY solution to that problem. Try typing this into Google, and you'll see that things like FLEX, and the equivalent is were business is headed, for Internet, and Intranets. The difference between MS technologies and FLEX, is that FLEX is here, and MS is somewere down the road. Plus they aren't the only two with "solutions". So while things are still fresh, let's not propagate the Monopoly into another application space.

    This,
    or this,
    or this

    The standards argument being made

    check out the demo

    In Dutch, sorry
    http://www.macromedia.com/resources/business/ric h_ internet_apps/">What RIA is

  84. Editor messed up by Quila · · Score: 1

    Forgot to add that "Slashdot is part of OSDN" since the story is from NewsForge.

  85. Sunk cost analysis by nuggz · · Score: 1

    The proper way to account for sunk costs is to ignore them.
    Today I have windows, costs paid so far are irrelevant.

    To move to Linux will cost $XXX over T years.
    To keep up to date with Windows will cost $YYY over T years.
    Cost of lost/gained functionality by moving to Linux is $ZZZ over T years

    If ((XXX + ZZZ) YYY):
    Move to Linux
    Else:
    Stay with Windows

    Welcome to Management Science 121.

    1. Re:Sunk cost analysis by Hiro+Antagonist · · Score: 1

      It's not that simple. Most people grossly overestimate XXX and underestimate YYY. Look at a business that decided to 'upgrade' to WindowsNT ten years ago, rather than keeping their paid-of legacy solution running. I'll wager that the average cost for 'keeping up' with Microsoft, including hardware, labor, and downtime is vastly more than the cost would have been to simply pay for additions and/or enhancements to that legacy system, especially if that 'legacy system' was Open Source.

      Ten years from now, the equation will still work the same way. The biggest problem with business IT spending is that hardware and commercial software are viewed as low-cost magic bullets, when in reality they tend to become high-cost administrative nightmares.

      --

      --
      I Hit the Karma Cap, and All I Got Was This Lousy .sig.
  86. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by JWW · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why are you here?

    I really love these "axe to grind" kind of posts. You've really captured the feeling and the flavor of a spurned member of a mailing list (I've seen numerous examples of that).

    My suggestion: build your own site and post the kind of stories you want and see if anyone shows up. Hell when you're ready you could even advertise your new pro-MS, pro-RIAA, and dare I say it pro-SCO (your comments about their situation were profoundly amusing) site here and see if anyone joins you.

    Otherwise, just save your breath....

  87. linux in the library by brainsturm · · Score: 3, Informative

    I'm a programmer for a library automation software provider. The switch to Linux for many libraries just isn't practical. Of course the desktop licenses for Microsoft aren't cheap, but even more expensive are the licenses from the ILS (integrated library system) providers. Of course, most of the viable solutions are Microsoft only and the cost of switching to a Linux or cross platform solution, like the one developed here, is just not feasible. The initial costs of one of these systems can be very expensive; remember that many libraries interact in 'consortia', trading books and data in many ways to reduce cost. To change software vendors is a very expensive project indeed, one that can cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus, of course, the yearly service contracts for support, bugfixes, upgrades.. The company that I work for uses client side Java and C on the server side. Most of our libraries use Windows on the client side, but some use Mac and the use of Linux is on the rise. The server also runs on Linux, but HP and Sun currently see almost all of the action here, but I suspect this will change especially as some of the libraries that have switched to Linux on the server report of their success (cross your fingers) and cost savings. The biggest use of our cross-platform capability to this point has definitely been by our marketing department. I do suspect however that this ability is attractive to those wiley librarians, who are skeptical of most things and especially so of Microsoft. I suspect that as the cost of library software increases the attraction of Linux will also increase. And yes, there are Open Source efforts in the library automation domain (see http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litapublications/ital/ volume21no1.htm#anchor338989 for an overview) but from what I've seen and read, they've got a long way to go before they are a viable solution for anything other than the simplest library. This is one programmer that won't be spending their time contributing to an open source library system.. 40hrs a week is plenty for me. :)

  88. in germany too... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The state library in Stuttgart Germany also uses Linux. A locked down suse iirc. http://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/

  89. come on now... by Run4yourlives · · Score: 1

    One patron asked Dave as he was walking by one day if he had anything to do with the computers. Dave said yes, and the user thanked him for stopping the pop-up ads.

    Yeah whatever... most users of that knowledge level get upset if you move their shortcut from the top of the screen to the bottom... you're not honestly going to try and tell me that this guy didn't notice an entire OS being switched on him?

    I'm all for linux and getting as many people on it as possible, but to suggest that users won't even notice is FUD of the highest order itself.

  90. Why are you here? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Seriously. Why are you here if you hate what the editors post, hate what the people who read Slashdot post, and hate OSS in general?
    Facts? Bah. it's all about anti-"M$" propaganda today.
    And all you're about is pro-MS, anti-OSS propaganda. Pot, meet the kettle.

    BTW, if you hate everything about Slashdot so much, you can simply leave. Easy as that.
  91. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "* Linux rules the desktop, when in reality: Windows = 91%; Mac = 4%; Linux = 1%"

    I think it will be interesting to compare those numbers to searches related to the Sasser worm once the next 'Top Searches' list comes out.

  92. You missed the real difference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    With Linux, two visionaries were able to solve a real-world problem and provide a new product. They are now in a great position to start a consulting company to help install Lumix in libraries and other places that need a stable, public Kiosk.

    With Windows, they are locked out of doing this by the EULA and copyright restrictions. They can't build a custom Windows installation to provide potential customers. They would have to provide a high-touch solution of going to each computer and customize the installation. The customization is limitted. For example, they wouldn't be able to remove the LSASS service that leaves the computer vulnerable to attack and provides no end-user benefit for a Kiosk.

    Linux is great for capitalism. Customers get a lower cost solution that addresses their specific needs. Entrepenuers can start their own businesses and compete in an open market.

    1. Re:You missed the real difference by Major_Small · · Score: 1

      For example, they wouldn't be able to remove the LSASS service that leaves the computer vulnerable to attack and provides no end-user benefit for a Kiosk. while I agree with the rest of your statement, this is wrong... all you need to do is create a small script that runs on startup that will kill the LSASS thread... or you can use a firewall to block the port it listens to.

  93. Gates Foundation and libraries by aelfric35 · · Score: 1

    Ironically, the Gates Foundation has been on a dedicated mission to put more computers in libraries. Wouldn't it be great if we could take the machines Bill gave to the community over to Free (no quotes) software?

    --

    "Den som vover mister Fodfaeste et Oieblik; den som ikke vover mister Livet." -Soren Kierkegaard
  94. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yawn... more lies from a frightened liar. Try again jackjob. I think your meter ran out of quarters during the fifth stroke in your masturbation session.

    Not one thing that you posted in your comment was anywhere close to reality. Just more lies from someone who apparently knows very little about computers.

  95. Neat.... by Chanc_Gorkon · · Score: 2, Insightful

    My library still uses dumb terminals...no really! For the web comptuers though, this makes alot of sense. I just hope that CLUELESS web designers start to design pages that DO NOT exclude ANY browsers that are not IE. Just because I am using Safari or Mozilla doesn't mean that your crappy website won't work on it!

    --

    Gorkman

  96. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by parksie · · Score: 1

    Can't possibly think why, irssi is *far* superior if you want a console client (ssl, ipv6, silc, decent scripting).

  97. GNOME GConf restrictions by slux · · Score: 1
    There are also similar lockdown features in GNOME's GConf2, starting with at least GNOME 2.2. Last time I checked it was actually possible to lock a GNOME desktop down better than KDE, but this may have changed already (I suspect both are

    now pretty much equal since the features have been in them for a few releases).

    I've successfully used both, incidentally also in a public library setting.

    The Vaasa Public Library in Finland has a network of ~100 public access computers running Debian GNU/Linux with GNOME 2.2 as the desktop environment. We have been very successful in building a restricted environment. Since the introducing GNU/Linux in 2001 we've never had any significant problems with users being able to fool around with the system.

  98. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by Glonoinha · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Just read the article. Why didn't they simply walk around from machine to machine popping in a Knoppix CD? Computer acting up, just reboot it.

    --
    Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
  99. Lumis == harlot in Spanish? Excuse me... by sombragris · · Score: 2, Informative

    Quoting parent...

    (in Spanish, "lumis" is a name for bad reputation women)

    The Royal Spanish Academy doesn't register this word in its Dictionary of the Spanish Language. (KDE Users: to check this, type rae:lumis on the Konqueror location bar.)

    And speaking for myself, a native Spanish speaker from South America, I didn't know about the word before reading this article.

    Someone mod parent down, please.

    --
    -- Look to the Rose that blows about us--"Lo, Laughing," she says, "into the World I blow..."
    1. Re:Lumis == harlot in Spanish? Excuse me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      There are certain English words that don't stand in a dictionary. Besides, you live in South America. I don't know Spanish, but I know that English is quite different in UK compared to Australia, USA and even Canada.

    2. Re:Lumis == harlot in Spanish? Excuse me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm the one who posted the previous message, and I'm Spanish, so believe me, here in Spain, if you can pay you will find aquiescent ("Magic" Johnson knows better) putas, zorras, prostitutas, rameras, hetarias, barraganas, guarras, and yes, lumis too.

    3. Re:Lumis == harlot in Spanish? Excuse me... by sombragris · · Score: 1

      Of course I believe you. But there is a difference between narrowly localized slang (and I assume that lumis as a harlot is slang) and the common usage of Spanish in all of our countries.

      I even doubt that lumis is ever used as a word beyond the boundaries of your Spanish autonomous community. See for example that many of the people involved in the story were Latinos, and they showed no objection whatsoever to the name. Therefore, to allege that lumis is part of the Spanish language and that would be understood by most people as such is quite a stretch.

      --
      -- Look to the Rose that blows about us--"Lo, Laughing," she says, "into the World I blow..."
  100. How to ease the Migration to Linux by Orion+Blastar · · Score: 3, Informative
    Start using F/OSS programs on Windows:


    Install


    OpenOffice.Org


    Mozilla


    VideoLAN


    7-Zip


    WinGimp


    Open AntiVirus


    Then see if the users can use them and get used to them. Then maybe when you do switch to Linux, they will be using the same apps, but under Linux. With maybe the exception of 7-Zip, no Linux port yet?

    --
    Remember, Slashdot does not have a -1 disagree moderation, and no, troll, flamebait, and overrated are not substitutes.
  101. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by andalay · · Score: 1

    At the 2004 WinHEC, Allchin demonstrated an alpha version of Longhorn that played six high-resolution videos at the same time while playing Quake III in the background.

    After reading this post, I was compelled. On Redhat 9 2.4Ghz with 256 MB (yeah yeah, more ram. guess what I DONT NEED IT!), I ran 5 videos, azureus (if you dont know, thats a java prog thats a bitch on resources), xchat, evolution, xmms, gaim.

    If you want a screenshot, I'll send you one.

    What I'd like to know is what hardware the Longhorn demonstration used

  102. my SO is a library director... by Sodade · · Score: 1
    The only sites they can't reach are those that require Internet Explorer. And while they can't play Shockwave games, Flash- and Java-enabled Web sites display just fine. PDFs can be viewed, and OpenOffice.org allows MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents to be displayed as well.
    I thought that most sites these days are built for and tested on IE - even if they broke the standards, they have become the standard and for my SOs library to make a switch, it would be a nightmare for her public terminal users to come whining to her when they couldn't load some site properly. Why doesn't Firefox have a "emulate IE" mode? Also, it was my impression (false?) that openoffice could not open and save MS .xls, .doc and .ppt files. Though I am fairly linux cluefree, I prowl /. regularly and would be surprised to find out that openoffice had full MS compatability. If it does, then you linux folks are not getting the message out well... Her small library would be a great place to set up linux public terminals (they have 10 public PCs) - I would love to have them all running a knoppix CD based OS so I didn't have to dick around with their current win 98 boxen. As it is though, she will probably end up buying more memory and XP. Can anyone provide a newbie with some helpful advice?
  103. Whoops, Open AntiVirus doesn't have updates by Orion+Blastar · · Score: 1
    Someone please join their team and help them out. :)


    Try ClamAV instead.

    --
    Remember, Slashdot does not have a -1 disagree moderation, and no, troll, flamebait, and overrated are not substitutes.
  104. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by Scaba · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Probably a dual-core CPU running at 4GHz, 2 gigs of RAM, a terabyte of storage, a 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and an 802.11g wireless link, and a graphics processor that runs three times faster than those on the market today. (See here)

  105. Libraries and Linux by templeward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There are a number of interesting Library projects using Linux. Beauregard Parish Public Library helped develop its own distro of linux called Whitebox . There's also oss4lib which focuses on Open Source Projects in libraries.

  106. Spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The problem is spyware. Windows users one way or another, sooner or later will execute binaries from the internet and install spyware. If we also count ie bugs and corrupted mpeg streams that overflow RealPlayer and execute code, it's 100% that a public terminat windows machine will be spywared in less than a month. Any password typed on this machine is send to z0b33rzz.haxorz.hu. Every credit card number, e-mail address, every homework assignment.

    Do this test. Install windows on a public terminal but over VMware or Qemu. log the packets.

  107. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by netsharc · · Score: 1
    LFS is pretty nice, you really know what's in all the systems, usually just the minimal barebones components, I think the really basic LFS system doesn't even have SSH. From there you can start installing all the packages you need, although you do have to
    tar -xzf $PACKAGE_TAR_GZ; ./configure; make all install;
    for every single dependency to the package.

    (Or am I spreading misinformation, last time I checked the LFS folks were thinking of creating a script that will do all of that for you.)

    This is different to Knoppix which has everything and need about 2.5 GB of space. Some of the PCs might not even have that much.

    LFS also lacks (afaik) a package manager, so it can be annoying if you play around; you end up not knowing what you've installed and what files you don't need.

    But, Gnome, OpenOffice.org and Mozilla should be all the patrons need. Perhaps the staff can offer a CD-burning-service for the customers who need OpenOffice for use at home. I doubt it's in the budget for the library, so the best way to do it would be to ask the customers to bring their own CD-R's.
    --
    What time is it/will be over there? Check with my iPhone app!
  108. My library failure story by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 1
    When I was in college, I wanted to install Red Hat (5.x? it's been a while) but didn't have the bandwidth to download it myself. So, I went to the campus library and discovered, happily, that they had a copy in the software section.

    When I tried to check it out, I was told that you couldn't actually check out software, but you could run it on "that one over there" (librarian points at a Gateway P5/60). "I'm not sure you understand," I said, "this is something you'd use instead of Windows, and you have to install it on your own computer to really use it." She looked at me in horror: "we do not condone piracy at this school!"

    A second trip a few days later got a slightly better reaction: "Well, we don't have a system for checking out software CDs, but you can copy it to a floppy and take it home if you want. We even sell them if you don't have one with you." I replied that I was going to need, oh, about 500 of them, and could I put the cost on my student loan account?

    It's nice to see that at least some people in some libraries are a little more knowledgeable now.

    --
    Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  109. Shockwave and Linux by BladeRider · · Score: 1

    The last time I looked on www.macromedia.com , there was a Linux Shockwave plugin. But, it was 2 or 3 versions behind the windows plugin. Many of the kid's sites require the latest shockwave plugin (as my daughter found out with her Linux laptop).

    --
    j.
    1. Re:Shockwave and Linux by Henk+Poley · · Score: 1

      If it was, it is not anymore, see their site:
      http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/downloa d/alter nates/

      Only the Flash player (v6) is available for Linux.

  110. LSASS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Have you tried this? Unlike other processes, I've had no luck at killing this one. I've seen reports of other people having the same problem.

    Though blocking the port at the firewall can help, it wouldn't have stopped a laptop inside the LAN from spreading Sasser. It's generally better to stop all services that aren't being used. This should be a standard procedure for creating a stable Kiosk with minimal support costs.

    Of course, we've all patched our systems so worms like this won't ever be a problem again. :+/

    1. Re:LSASS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Local Security Authority -- you can't kill it because its core to the OS.

      Disable the Server service or unbind it from your network adapter and it won't listen.

      See the NSA security guides for Windows if you curious about how to "harden" a system.

  111. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by andalay · · Score: 1

    Wow. thats all I can say. thats retarded. Are they even bringing anything new to computing in general to warrant that my MOM have that hardware?

  112. What is FUD?? by kortex · · Score: 2, Funny

    Frequently Utilized Disinformation? Fscked Up Diatribe? Fantastically Understated Danger? Inquiring minds want to know.

    --
    -- kortex "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts"
    1. Re:What is FUD?? by Run4yourlives · · Score: 2, Informative

      Fear Uncertainty and Doubt.

  113. Like most of the article except this by RedA$$edMonkey · · Score: 0

    "The software savings are negligible because, as Auger points out, it's almost impossible to buy a new PC without getting Windows on it."

    WTF? Does that mean they are buying PCs with windows and throwing out the Windows (out the window)? There are ample place to buy computers without windows. To buy one with Windows is a waste of money and worse, blind support of the MS empire. It says they are buying 35 more PCs. That 35 more copies of Windows sold and flushed? I wish I could make money that easily.

  114. Windows tax? by gamartin · · Score: 1
    The software savings are negligible because, as Auger points out, it's almost impossible to buy a new PC without getting Windows on it.

    Having assembled several white box PCs, it's obviously possible to do that way. I assume there are white box companies out there you can buy from and avoid the Microsoft tax, but I've never checked. Can anyone comment/confirm?

  115. Shame iPAC was designed for IE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    As a Library Systems Manager in the UK who uses Dynix products (specficially Horizon and HIP), I was tempted to run iPac (the Dynix web catalogue) under a non-IE browser on our public access PCs because IE is such a dog to secure - if I could only have a pound for each time someone's right clicked an image and chosen "set as desktop item"! :-D

    Sadly the developers at Dynix have fallen into the old trap of designing it specifically for IE (in fact, it should really have a "this site works best with IE" sticker on it) - to get it looking half decent with Mozilla you need to do a huge amount of XSL and CSS hacking. That wouldn't be too bad if the updates to iPac didn't nuke all the changes you'd made!

    It's also obvious from the iPac bug list that they've only checked the iPac JavaScript with IE, and for a long time it didn't even work with Opera.

  116. I'm sorry... by Jerk+City+Troll · · Score: 1

    ...but you simply do not use LFS for anything other than hobby purposes.

    Don't get me wrong: LFS is an awesome project and definitely has its uses, but certainly not here. Compiling everything (lack of a package system), all the hand-tweaking, and the potential maintenance nightmare will bite them later. If/when these guys move on, the next administrators will be a quagmire of this custom-rolled Linux distribution. In all likelihood, that could trigger a move back to Windows.

    There's nothing being done here that couldn't have been done with existing distributions (Debian for instance). And worse, this article serves to emphasize how difficult it can be to tweak F/OSS to your needs. Bad move. People who advocat LFS for production environments should be shot.

  117. GPL vs EULA by pherris · · Score: 1
    SCO claims ... the GPL is invalid.

    They're not the only ones which begs the question: If EULAs are legal how could the GPL be illegal? Both put limits on how and what the recipient can do with what they've received so where's the difference that would make one illegal and the other not? After all, they're both contracts.

    I hate putting the two in the same catagory since the GPL clearly protects the user while EULAs have mostly been used to oppress the user but legally I don't see the difference.

    --
    "And a voice was screaming: 'Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?'" - HST
    1. Re:GPL vs EULA by HiThere · · Score: 1

      Legally the GPL is weakening the requirements imposed by copyright law in exchange for a consideration (source code goes with redistribution, code remains GPL, etc.) while the EULAs impose additional restrictions not imposed by copyright law. It's easy to see the EULAs being ruled illegal not affecting the GPL. It's much harder to imagine any justification for the converse.

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    2. Re:GPL vs EULA by mpe · · Score: 1

      They're not the only ones which begs the question: If EULAs are legal how could the GPL be illegal?

      The GPL is not an EULA.

      Both put limits on how and what the recipient can do with what they've received so where's the difference that would make one illegal and the other not? After all, they're both contracts.

      They are not both contracts. The GPL is governed by copyright law, EULAs claim to be contracts even though in many cases relevent contract laws render them partially or entirely void.
      There really needs to be an FAQ on this.

  118. What about streaming audio and video? by KevinDumpsCore · · Score: 1

    The article made no mention of streaming audio and video. What do they use for Real Audio and Windows Media format files? I hope they didn't leave users in the lurch.

  119. Slashdot critique belongs elsewhere... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Perhaps the editorial is built into accepted stories, but it's really hard to have meaningful commentary on a story without a twist.

    Every watch Larry King? When's the last time he had a hard news story, and the caller's comments and questions were able to keep your interest? It's never happened for me.

    Considering the rose colored glasses thing, well, try posting a critical sounding question to any of the apple.slashdot stories. There's a big group with Rose Colored glasses. I see more balance in the comments than the stories - but I read Slashdot for the commentary. If I want "news" I'll go to NewsForge or BBC.

  120. FUD: Love it! by nuonguy · · Score: 1

    This may not be a good example of it, but why not embrace FUD? Redmond is very good at it, why not counter FUD with FUD?

  121. All is saved! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A library is running Liunx now! Prepare for the revolution!

  122. It's about time... by pdscomp · · Score: 1

    I currently live in Howard County, Maryland, and have been a patron of the library system here for over ten years. Several years ago, they replaced all of the vt100 terminals running a text-based catalog with PCs running Windows and a web catalog. Suffice it to say, the first thing I would do when using one of these 'new and improved' machines was to enter the url telnet://howard.howa.lib.md.us/ into Internet Explorer opening a telnet window to the old catalog interface. My reason being that the text interface responded instantly to my queries, whereas the web interface took at least 5-10 seconds to load each graphics-ridden page. The web client also seemed buggy, sporadically not responding to requests. I've continued to use the text interface up until a few months ago when apparently it was taken down for good. I haven't been to the library since the Linux migration, but hopefully it will address many of the slowness and buggyness problems inherent with the Windows web clients (I know that on older machines, Linux definietly feels a lot faster than Windows 98). I will have to stop by the library on the way home tonight and check it out!

  123. How low can SCO go? by pherris · · Score: 1

    There are just some questions that should never be answered.

    --
    "And a voice was screaming: 'Holy Jesus! What are these goddamn animals?'" - HST
  124. Open (for viewing) source by Allen+Zadr · · Score: 1
    I think you are looking to do a White Box Linux Search.

    It's all of the same versions of the same packages of all of the RedHat ES version 3 packages without the copyright RedHat name, logo or "ShadowMan" insignia (RedHat's protected trademarks).

    Also, if you go to RedHat's FTP servers, all of the SRPMs for ES3 are available, you just can't get the compiled versions without a subscription to Enterprise Linux support services.

    --
    Kinetic stupidity has a new brand leader: Allen Zadr.
  125. Re:For every 1 pub lib using Linux, 100's use Wind by Master+of+Transhuman · · Score: 1

    Libraries don't work that way.

    And what happens when the patron steals the Knoppix CD?

    Libraries don't have time for Mickey Mouse systems - it's a huge job running a library. They need a system that works, doesn't need to be fussed with - and especially as the article clearly states, does not need to be patched every time a virus hits.

    I'd be more interested if their Linux system was running the library instead of Dynix, but there are open source ILS (Integrated Library Systems) out there.

    --
    Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
  126. It is that Simple by nuggz · · Score: 1

    Actually it is that simple.
    You are correct that the common mistake is wrongly assumed values. But if you guess wrong, any analysis based on that data will also be flawed.

    That is why these management decisions should be done properly. It is also one reason why people complain about bad management, they just don't know the numbers going into the equation.

  127. Did Bill Gates pay for any of these computers? by bender647 · · Score: 1

    I wonder if any of the 200 computers came from a grant from Bill and Melinda? Gates Foundation

  128. Insightful? INSIGHTFUL?!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Please someone explain to me what is insightful about this comment...

    The parent post is 100% content free. I don't even know what point it's trying to make. Maybe his point is "people that use Linux shouldn't get excited when others get on board and start using Linux too".

    Who does it hurt when us Linux folk get excited about seeing our favorite OS being successfully deployed?

    Wait, I know the answer... stories like this hurt people that have a religious dedication to Microsoft products. Linux has the potential to hurt Microsoft bad, and it just hurts every time someone successfully implements Linux instead of MS Windows.

    Please, quit trying to rain on our parade all you MS people.

  129. I hate 'me too!' posts by JimmytheGeek · · Score: 1

    but I'm making one.

    It has driven me up a tree that simple admin tasks leap around like spastic marmoset as the OS evolves. Some major tasks were easier in NT 3.51

    I don't do XP at work (got it at home on the wife's laptop, not on mine, which is RH. Setting the xp thing to 2000 mode was a happy moment), we're resisting 2003. Just ick.

  130. Anti-MS? Anti-Linux? Or pro-end user? by Ilan+Volow · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Or perhaps some slashdotters are pro-end user. They really don't like the way M$ has been treating non-technical folks, but they've seen the linux community treating them just as badly. Being against the way that linux is currently doing things does not make one pro-Microsoft.

    I've seen a lot of Slashdotters (and Free Software developers in general) yell "Desktop world domination" or "Our software is just as easy to use as Windows" or "Lobby your government to replace Windows with Linux" one second and then the next start beating up someone for daring to criticize (often justifiably) the usability of Linux, telling them "quit whining about what you get for free" or "go code it youself" or "you're engaging in the mental destruction of Free Software developers."

    Evil is evil, and I don't give a damn whether its outfit du jour is a Windows logo or a cute penguin.

    --
    Ergonomica Auctorita Illico!
    1. Re:Anti-MS? Anti-Linux? Or pro-end user? by FooBarWidget · · Score: 1

      And where do you see Free Software developers lobbying for world domination? I rarely see them. They come mostly from Slashdotters who *are not* developers.

      There's a huge difference between "criticising" and "bashing". Most Slashdotters don't criticisze: they bash. How the hell is "you are a fucking retarded elitist and will never have a girlfriend" constructive criticism? How's saying that I have to be a slave constructive criticism?
      I try my best to make software as usable as possible, and all I get on Slashdot is insults, with *almost no constructive criticism whatsoever*.

      "often justifiably"

      The point is, they are often injustifiably "critisizing". It has reached a point when even lies (yes, lies. there's sometimes solid proof that what they're saying is 100% incorrect) against Linux is modded up.

      Heck, why can't you people take criticism? What makes your criticism so much greater and better than mine?

      "telling them "quit whining about what you get for free" or "go code it youself" or "you're engaging in the mental destruction of Free Software developers.""

      Most of those statements come from users who are tired of the bashing, not developers. Most developers don't even read Slashdot comments because of the high number of trolls and flames. Heck, I have a friend who's just a normal user. I showed him some Slashdot threads and he was baffled by how people kept bashing volunteers who give away software for free.

      Even the Windows community is better! The users who use Dev-C++ (open source IDE for Windows) are very polite when they have criticism against us (unlike Slashdotters!) and they often realize that we are just volunteers and shouldn't expect too much from us, especially when it's free. But no, not Slashdot. Slashdottes treat us like we're some kind of robots who are supposed to give away everything for free and work 24 hours a day.

      Summary:
      1. Most developers don't scream world domination. Zealots users do. So don't blame us.
      2. Lots of developers don't respond with "code it yourself". Users do. When a developer does so, it's most likely because you're being impolite/being a jerk! You really need better social skills if you don't realize this.
      3. No matter how hard we try to make a good product, all you people do is insult and flame us. Like we have no personal life or something.
      4. If you don't show respect to me, why should I show respect to you?

  131. Macs vs. Linux vs. Microsoft ... in marketing by Atario · · Score: 1

    Specifically, adversarial marketing.

    Linux: Slashdot article linking to story about how a public library switched to Linux

    Mac: smarmy, self-satisfied TV ads with the word/sentence/slogan "Switch."

    Microsoft: Magazine ads yammering about TCO and pointing to suspicious studies

    Draw your own conclusions.

    --
    "A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy." --Theodore Roosevelt
  132. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by jedidiah · · Score: 1

    Of course BeOS achieved this parlour trick with considerably less hardware.

    This doesn't demonstrate any inherent superiority of Longhorn. It just demonstrates that Moore's law has finally caught up to Microsoft.

    --
    A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
  133. HL2 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are you sure HL2 will be supported on Linux? I thought it was DX9 only.

  134. Nice. They managed to let go.-Heaven's Help Desk. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Please tell me who they would call for service/support on Windows 98 or NT in the year 2004? "

    God, and heaven. As in "Oh, God! Our server is down again!" Or "Heaven, help us! Outlook's database just screwed up, again!"

  135. Correction by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

    " takes a look at the Howard County (Maryland) Public Library's"

    I belive you're referring to Haard Canny.

  136. This is a good example by Orion+Blastar · · Score: 1

    of how to save money by using F/OSS software instead of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) softare.

    I am doing F/OSS research for a company I may form in 2006 when I graduate from college. I hope to offer F/OSS packages and support for companies wanting to move away from COTS software and reduce their costs. I need more research like that artcle to prove my point.

    I also need to do more research to prove that F/OSS development can be profitable.

    --
    Remember, Slashdot does not have a -1 disagree moderation, and no, troll, flamebait, and overrated are not substitutes.
  137. Or, to cite a previous /. article ... by magefile · · Score: 1

    bicho means "bug" in S.A., but "penis" in Puerto Rico.

    1. Re:Or, to cite a previous /. article ... by sombragris · · Score: 1

      According, again, to the Dictionary of the Spanish Academy, bicho is bug. It's not only in S.A.; it's the standard Spanish.

      --
      -- Look to the Rose that blows about us--"Lo, Laughing," she says, "into the World I blow..."
  138. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    sure looks like the truth, no surprise the ms-hater bandwagon kiddies that rule /. are to immature to care...they will mod you down, all you a troll...it is easier then admitting that they are liers, thieves, and spreaders of FUD.

  139. Re:I am the all time linux master by Linux+MasterDennisH · · Score: 1

    NO i rule in the linux world. But i know my tablet is better i have that new linux .the special hacker version. and that new java 8.0 version C.

  140. Firefox for a library by frankie · · Score: 1
    Can you honestly say that in your normal day's usage, you find Firefox to be any less reliable or secure than Mozilla?

    For my personal use? Of course. For my friends and interested colleagues? Sure, I'll install it. But for deployment to the public? Mozilla.org says Firefox isn't 1.0-worthy yet, and I respect their QA.

  141. Re:I JUST FARTED by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That, my friend, is the smell of Linux.

  142. IE's brokeness by phorm · · Score: 1

    I personally haven't bothered with IE (firefox=awesome) in a long time, but I seem to remember hearing that you can run IE in linux using either Crossover office or Wine (not sure which it was).

    Allowing regular users to run as root is like sticking a driver with a class 5 license in the pilot seat of a 747 - phorm

  143. Re:Slashdot lies, opinions, and half-truths by haruchai · · Score: 1
    I'm not sure how much extra ( if any) horsepower is required but the BeOS demo showed different movies playing smoothly and simultaneously on the side of a spinning cube.
    Their failure in the market was a great disappointment.
    --
    Pain is merely failure leaving the body