Too often I have heard the following argument against OSS - "You don't know when support will end or if the project will exist tomorrow." This is true. But you can make relative safegaurds against choosing a dead software package. How long has it been around? How much activity? How popular? How many participants? I can also download a sample several packages without pulling out my wallet. If support suddenly stops, I still have access to the code should I need to develop the product further.
With a proprietary package, it is take it or leave it with a limited amount of options.
Certainly both approaches (OSS and closed) have there pros and cons, but with OSS I am better able to hedge my bet against obsolescence.
Does this mean the UK govt can seize Hotmail to retrieve his emails? After the "lost" email debacle in the White House, perhaps Hotmail is not such a bad idea.
I have never had any luck with Evolution. After an Ubuntu install I will try it - stall, error, crash. In 5 min., Evolution out, Thunderbird in.
I hope you are correct and Ubuntu does make the default Thunderbird.
As an IT Manager for a school, I was able to roll out several open source solutions - Edubuntu (for a low cost scalable lab with low end equipment), open source groupware, firewall, proxy, content filter, Thunderbird,Firefox, linux kiosks and more. Teachers and administrators don't care if there is proper training and the bottom line is low. Children don't know the difference between closed and open source either.
I can't justify purchasing a 64 box for the house, but a beefed up 32 running 64 virtually is just the ticket to get SAP on Linux up and running. Merry Christmas to me!
Perhaps to enhance their marketing, they can offer the computer in CrayOn colors (like Apple's iMac colors). Cray Gray, Big Iron Gray, Super Computing Gray, Gray, Gray Passion, etc..
Remember, you can order any color - as long as it is gray.
I would like to believe that Linux would be positively promoted due to the economy. However, re-tooling an enterprise or SMB from MS and proprietary software to Open Source is costly and time consuming. There is an up front cost to be considered. The selling points of Linux and OSS are not necessarily bound with cost (although it helps) but with flexibility, stability and security. These three items, if working properly, should be transparent to the end user (and upper management). Thus the argument would be, "See, nothing is happening - isn't that great!"
What is often not offered by OSS is ease of use. That is in front of the user and the under trained IT guy supporting them.
As an employee for a non-profit, OSS has been a lifesaver but it will be difficult to find a replacement who will be familiar with the OSS applications and Linux.
Put your real data and OS on a bootable USB drive. Keep it separate from your laptop. Encrypt. When asked about the laptop, boot and demonstrate the installed OS if necessary.
If you are afraid they will investigate the USB drive, make a bootable SD card with your data. Keep that in the your digital camera or camera carrying case. Few would suspect your OS and data are stored there.
"However, might you state why you don't want to switch to Digital? It's honest curiosity and not an insult."
Good question. I find most of what is on television is not beneficial on several levels. What I really want to see can be found at the library or on the internet. This is a natural time to transition away from broadcast TV. Thanks for asking
We have implemented the following...
1. Limited TV - Rabbit Ears only or pre-selected DVDs. Yes, we say "no" to many programs. When TV goes digital, oh well - we will not switch.
2. ClarkConnect - proxy, firewall, ad blocker, content filter, anti-virus, spam blocker, for the house. Any connection to my wireless or wired LAN has this protection. The time on the computer is limited and monitored.
3. We have not abdicated authority to our children. They are children, we are the parents. The responsibility for raising them and what they take in is with us, not them.
Correction: Desktop Operating Systems were created and do not evolve. Random kernel mutations cannot explain the complex machines which are our desktops and servers. Survival of the fittest? How do you explain Gentoo and DOS 5.0 still in production environments?
MIS is a more rounded major for me. I already have 10 years experience on the tech / engineering side. Most graduating MIS students do not have the experience, but do have a basic understanding of how businesses work.
Your observations are on the money! After a few years as sysadmin, network engineer and (hands on) IT Manager, it was time to get the degree. However the degree which I think will break the "geek" ceiling is MIS not CS.
Would this be a candidate for a light DB server for a mobile device? Perhaps for address books, media catalogs, etc... Could it find a niche beyond the web? BTW, IOANADBE (I obviously am not a database expert). IAANAAE (I am also not an acronym expert)
Slashdot Mirror
Didn't they sense this coming?
Too often I have heard the following argument against OSS - "You don't know when support will end or if the project will exist tomorrow." This is true. But you can make relative safegaurds against choosing a dead software package. How long has it been around? How much activity? How popular? How many participants? I can also download a sample several packages without pulling out my wallet. If support suddenly stops, I still have access to the code should I need to develop the product further.
With a proprietary package, it is take it or leave it with a limited amount of options.
Certainly both approaches (OSS and closed) have there pros and cons, but with OSS I am better able to hedge my bet against obsolescence.
Does this mean the UK govt can seize Hotmail to retrieve his emails? After the "lost" email debacle in the White House, perhaps Hotmail is not such a bad idea.
I have never had any luck with Evolution. After an Ubuntu install I will try it - stall, error, crash. In 5 min., Evolution out, Thunderbird in. I hope you are correct and Ubuntu does make the default Thunderbird.
As an IT Manager for a school, I was able to roll out several open source solutions - Edubuntu (for a low cost scalable lab with low end equipment), open source groupware, firewall, proxy, content filter, Thunderbird,Firefox, linux kiosks and more. Teachers and administrators don't care if there is proper training and the bottom line is low. Children don't know the difference between closed and open source either.
...the linux bootloader! (We'll have to wait for the desktop.)
Wasn't that a movie about a virus in England? This seems a bit more frightening.
...Does it run...oh yeah...never mind.
I can't justify purchasing a 64 box for the house, but a beefed up 32 running 64 virtually is just the ticket to get SAP on Linux up and running. Merry Christmas to me!
But does it come in a double-wide?
Why do I get a 404 error when trying to configure my CX1? I'll just wait until Psystar comes out with a knockoff anyway.
Perhaps to enhance their marketing, they can offer the computer in CrayOn colors (like Apple's iMac colors). Cray Gray, Big Iron Gray, Super Computing Gray, Gray, Gray Passion, etc..
Remember, you can order any color - as long as it is gray.
I would like to believe that Linux would be positively promoted due to the economy. However, re-tooling an enterprise or SMB from MS and proprietary software to Open Source is costly and time consuming. There is an up front cost to be considered. The selling points of Linux and OSS are not necessarily bound with cost (although it helps) but with flexibility, stability and security. These three items, if working properly, should be transparent to the end user (and upper management). Thus the argument would be, "See, nothing is happening - isn't that great!"
What is often not offered by OSS is ease of use. That is in front of the user and the under trained IT guy supporting them.
As an employee for a non-profit, OSS has been a lifesaver but it will be difficult to find a replacement who will be familiar with the OSS applications and Linux.
Cisco Telepresence Magic (about 1 min into the video.
Enjoy.
Put your real data and OS on a bootable USB drive. Keep it separate from your laptop. Encrypt. When asked about the laptop, boot and demonstrate the installed OS if necessary.
If you are afraid they will investigate the USB drive, make a bootable SD card with your data. Keep that in the your digital camera or camera carrying case. Few would suspect your OS and data are stored there.
You could even put your data on your USB watch.
Good point. I view it as a natural time to break from TV altogether.
"However, might you state why you don't want to switch to Digital? It's honest curiosity and not an insult."
Good question. I find most of what is on television is not beneficial on several levels. What I really want to see can be found at the library or on the internet. This is a natural time to transition away from broadcast TV. Thanks for asking
We have implemented the following...
1. Limited TV - Rabbit Ears only or pre-selected DVDs. Yes, we say "no" to many programs. When TV goes digital, oh well - we will not switch.
2. ClarkConnect - proxy, firewall, ad blocker, content filter, anti-virus, spam blocker, for the house. Any connection to my wireless or wired LAN has this protection. The time on the computer is limited and monitored.
3. We have not abdicated authority to our children. They are children, we are the parents. The responsibility for raising them and what they take in is with us, not them.
Call me... DROP DATABASE *
Correction: Desktop Operating Systems were created and do not evolve. Random kernel mutations cannot explain the complex machines which are our desktops and servers. Survival of the fittest? How do you explain Gentoo and DOS 5.0 still in production environments?
I'm sorry, he cannot leave the building, he no longer has a valid passport.
MIS is a more rounded major for me. I already have 10 years experience on the tech / engineering side. Most graduating MIS students do not have the experience, but do have a basic understanding of how businesses work.
Better Format, too little, too expensive, too late. Sony doesn't learn too quickly.
Your observations are on the money! After a few years as sysadmin, network engineer and (hands on) IT Manager, it was time to get the degree. However the degree which I think will break the "geek" ceiling is MIS not CS.
Would this be a candidate for a light DB server for a mobile device? Perhaps for address books, media catalogs, etc... Could it find a niche beyond the web? BTW, IOANADBE (I obviously am not a database expert). IAANAAE (I am also not an acronym expert)