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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."
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.
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
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.
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?"
... if I ever go back to Windows ... "
:-)
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, "
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
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?
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!
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.
>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.
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.
tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
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.
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
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*!
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.