I was also probably running it on a pentium 200MHz or at most a pentium II at the time, which was a long time ago... I've developed an appreciation for apps that are small and fast, yet do everything I need them to. Part of the reason I like Linux so much... I can slim it down as much as I want.
It's still free to use, I think... It was great before I started using Linux and before I heard of GAIM. So while it's not OSS and is only for Windows, I for one still appreciate what it provided for me in the Windows Dark Ages.
The serverless messaging sounds nice, but for Linux there are already a few multi-network clients. I remember Trillian as being a bit bloated, but that was several years ago. It was cool, though, as it was the first client I had heard of to use all major services.
There are some pages (forms,images,etc) that do not display or work under Firefox, but do with Mozilla. While I'm pretty sure that the fault lies with web developers designing for IE only, I still need Mozilla as a backup for some pages. That's not to say that I haven't messed something up with Firefox myself, but it's unlikely.
Guess I could have provided the link...
http://www.sierrawireless.com/SupportDownload/ac7x 0_linux.asp
This was pretty good instructions, took me about 5 minutes to get up and running.
I've been using the Sierra Wireless Aircard 750 with Linux for over a year. I can't say I am excited about the service itself, which is supposed to be about 56k. In other words, it is slow. BUT, when I am patient, I can ssh to my servers at work and sometimes accomplish something. It works just fine for web browsing, email, instant messaging, and retrieving maps with gpsdrive.
The time to START learning was 5 years ago when you first became an admin, so that by now you would have enough experience to do the migration yourself.
Seriously though, if you haven't been using linux already, the time to start isn't when your company needs it.
Some of the commercial distros seem to have enough gui configuration options for a newbie to muddle through as well as they would with MS. I would still suggest you seek outside expertise until you are up to speed though.
Even though I see it all the time, it never ceases to amaze me that people who call themselves Admins have never taken advantage of the opportunities to learn that linux provides. oh well...
Windows kicks Linux's ass in terms of usability and GUI refinements.
While I spend more time on the command line, I have to strongly disagree with this statement. Neil correctly stated that Linux distros are a work in progress, but in my opinion KDE has finally pulled far ahead of MS in usability and gui refinements. As is true in every other aspect of the Linux world, with KDE you just get more without having to pay more. The best thing is how fast things improve. Features and instability have always been one of my complaints about GNU/Linux, but KDE 3.2 is IMHO much better than what MS has to offer, and 3.3 will be out soon.
Last year I had little hope of interesting others in trying out a Linux distro. I just didn't have an easy solution to some of their user concerns. Now, however, all those concerns have been answered with utilities added directly to KDE.
I don't use Gnome regularly, but the last time I tested it, I felt it was easily equal to or greater than MS in ease of use, etc. I also prefer the feel of Gnome over MS. It just has a couple of irritating bugs that are still there after all these years.
I might be biased, though, I am the Net Admin for over 100 windows workstations. That is enough to make anyone hate windows.
Two years ago I set up a few multi-user Linux workstations for those employees that don't have a direct need for a computer. They are used constantly, and I only touch them when I upgrade them to the latest version of Mandrake. Interesting how systems that for whatever reason will no longer reliably run windows seem to work perfectly under Linux.
I also have a Zaurus 5500, and frequently use it to ssh to my servers. I would like to hear a couple brands of IrDA keyboards that are working with it, as I seem to be pulling out the laptop (Sony Vaio/Mandrake 9.2) with the Tmobile/Aircard 750 more often simply because my thumbs ache after prolonged typing on the Z.
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I was also probably running it on a pentium 200MHz or at most a pentium II at the time, which was a long time ago... I've developed an appreciation for apps that are small and fast, yet do everything I need them to. Part of the reason I like Linux so much... I can slim it down as much as I want.
It's still free to use, I think... It was great before I started using Linux and before I heard of GAIM. So while it's not OSS and is only for Windows, I for one still appreciate what it provided for me in the Windows Dark Ages.
The serverless messaging sounds nice, but for Linux there are already a few multi-network clients. I remember Trillian as being a bit bloated, but that was several years ago. It was cool, though, as it was the first client I had heard of to use all major services.
There are some pages (forms,images,etc) that do not display or work under Firefox, but do with Mozilla. While I'm pretty sure that the fault lies with web developers designing for IE only, I still need Mozilla as a backup for some pages. That's not to say that I haven't messed something up with Firefox myself, but it's unlikely.
That RedHat=Linux.
Guess I could have provided the link... http://www.sierrawireless.com/SupportDownload/ac7x 0_linux.asp
This was pretty good instructions, took me about 5 minutes to get up and running.
I've been using the Sierra Wireless Aircard 750 with Linux for over a year. I can't say I am excited about the service itself, which is supposed to be about 56k. In other words, it is slow. BUT, when I am patient, I can ssh to my servers at work and sometimes accomplish something. It works just fine for web browsing, email, instant messaging, and retrieving maps with gpsdrive.
She's so unappreciated, she just wants to be loved. The has a thing for guys in creepy butterfly costumes.
The time to START learning was 5 years ago when you first became an admin, so that by now you would have enough experience to do the migration yourself.
Seriously though, if you haven't been using linux already, the time to start isn't when your company needs it.
Some of the commercial distros seem to have enough gui configuration options for a newbie to muddle through as well as they would with MS. I would still suggest you seek outside expertise until you are up to speed though.
Even though I see it all the time, it never ceases to amaze me that people who call themselves Admins have never taken advantage of the opportunities to learn that linux provides. oh well...
Windows kicks Linux's ass in terms of usability and GUI refinements.
While I spend more time on the command line, I have to strongly disagree with this statement. Neil correctly stated that Linux distros are a work in progress, but in my opinion KDE has finally pulled far ahead of MS in usability and gui refinements. As is true in every other aspect of the Linux world, with KDE you just get more without having to pay more. The best thing is how fast things improve. Features and instability have always been one of my complaints about GNU/Linux, but KDE 3.2 is IMHO much better than what MS has to offer, and 3.3 will be out soon.
Last year I had little hope of interesting others in trying out a Linux distro. I just didn't have an easy solution to some of their user concerns. Now, however, all those concerns have been answered with utilities added directly to KDE.
I don't use Gnome regularly, but the last time I tested it, I felt it was easily equal to or greater than MS in ease of use, etc. I also prefer the feel of Gnome over MS. It just has a couple of irritating bugs that are still there after all these years.
I might be biased, though, I am the Net Admin for over 100 windows workstations. That is enough to make anyone hate windows.
Two years ago I set up a few multi-user Linux workstations for those employees that don't have a direct need for a computer. They are used constantly, and I only touch them when I upgrade them to the latest version of Mandrake. Interesting how systems that for whatever reason will no longer reliably run windows seem to work perfectly under Linux.
I also have a Zaurus 5500, and frequently use it to ssh to my servers. I would like to hear a couple brands of IrDA keyboards that are working with it, as I seem to be pulling out the laptop (Sony Vaio/Mandrake 9.2) with the Tmobile/Aircard 750 more often simply because my thumbs ache after prolonged typing on the Z.