If I read the original question, he is asking how to make it possible to run Linux _alongside_ the 20,000+ desktops that are already installed. Most of the above replies seem to have assumed the original post was asking about replacing the desktops.
I run Linux in a 40 desktop environment that is predoiminantly Microsoft. Thankfully I have some System Administration responsibilities through which I can influence things like ensuring IMAP is running on the exchange server.
I have run Redhat (7.2, 9, and EL4) on my own workstation. A colleague runs Gentoo. So far, we are the only ones with Linux on our desktop. However, I have just finished installing two database servers using RHELv4 running the "O" word, and any chance I get I point out where Linux has made me more productive in my day to day tasks.
One of my requirements is to work from home. Using a Linux shell across a VPN (low speed ADSL at my end) is far, far, far more efficient than using Windows via VNC. Since I'm also programming on Solaris most of the time, Command line is really all I need. And when I use "screen", moving from work to home means all of my shells (upwards of 8 at any one time) can stay open, active, and ready for use.
The DB servers using linux is the first sign that management see there is something to this "linux thing". All I have done is to influence our (admittedly antiquated) NT4 domain to enable co-existence. And using standards like HTML on our intranet instead of Word documents.
Now that OpenOffice 2 is out, I will start suggesting it as an alternative (we pay heaps in licensing every year to MS).
When it comes to the crunch, its the bottom line that is the one thing that mangement understands.
Slashdot Mirror
... was that it was a BMW ad that he was zooming in on,
as well as having BMW either side of the demo.
Someone obviously colluded _before_ this demo was even presented.
Don't know about everyone else, but I feel manipulated...
--
mefster can't remember what his sig says
If I read the original question, he is asking how to make
it possible to run Linux _alongside_ the 20,000+ desktops
that are already installed. Most of the above replies
seem to have assumed the original post was asking about
replacing the desktops.
I run Linux in a 40 desktop environment that is predoiminantly
Microsoft. Thankfully I have some System Administration
responsibilities through which I can influence things like
ensuring IMAP is running on the exchange server.
I have run Redhat (7.2, 9, and EL4) on my own workstation.
A colleague runs Gentoo. So far, we are the only ones with Linux
on our desktop. However, I have just finished installing two
database servers using RHELv4 running the "O" word, and any chance
I get I point out where Linux has made me more productive in my day
to day tasks.
One of my requirements is to work from home. Using a Linux shell
across a VPN (low speed ADSL at my end) is far, far, far more
efficient than using Windows via VNC. Since I'm also programming on
Solaris most of the time, Command line is really all I need. And
when I use "screen", moving from work to home means all of my
shells (upwards of 8 at any one time) can stay open, active, and
ready for use.
The DB servers using linux is the first sign that management see
there is something to this "linux thing". All I have done is to
influence our (admittedly antiquated) NT4 domain to enable
co-existence. And using standards like HTML on our intranet
instead of Word documents.
Now that OpenOffice 2 is out, I will start suggesting it as an
alternative (we pay heaps in licensing every year to MS).
When it comes to the crunch, its the bottom line that is the one
thing that mangement understands.
Having a neurological disorder myself, I actually
do consider this a useful research topic.
Both of my optic nerves, and the touch sensitivity
in my fingers, have both degraded.
If I had a way of overcoming these problems, it
would be very useful to me.
Remember, not everyone has the same level of physical ability!
--
mefster