Office network with Linux solutions

Linux solutions zWhat is linux? zLinux versus Microsoft: advantages & disadvantages zLinux distributions and their differences

What is linux? zLinux is the kernel of a computer operating system zThe Linux kernel was created by Linus Torvalds and first announced on the Internet in 1991 zAn Operating System needs more than just the kernel: the GNU organization and its software license, the General Public License, or GPL.

What is linux? zLinux has an official mascot, Tux, the Linux penguin, which was selected by Linus Torvalds to represent the image he associates with the operating system

What is Linux? zProprietary software is software that is not free or semi-free. Its use, redistribution or modification is prohibited, or requires you to ask for permission, or is restricted so much that you effectively can't do it freely. zFree software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software: yThe freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0). yThe freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this. yThe freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).

What is Linux? zThe term ``open source'' software is used by some people to mean more or less the same thing as free software. However, their criteria are somewhat lax; they accept some license restrictions that the GNU organization considers too restrictive.

Linux versus Microsoft: advantages & disadvantages zcost savings in term of licence yIt isn’t all about cheap: cost of training, time, support zIt’s about doing job effectively with stable software: Linux is made to keep on running zLinux support generally better: lot of developers, mailing list, archives, support database => more trouble getting support for some purchased commercial applications that with open- source application yThe not-so-good news is that there is no single source of information (sometime conflicting answers)

Linux versus Microsoft: advantages & disadvantages zDo-It-Yourself approach: if you want to do something with Linux, you can do it. You are just limited by 1) your imagination 2) the time you are ready to spend on solving your problem zVariety of open-source licenses can be confusing and some my fear the risk of lawsuit yHP, RedHat, Novell offer insurance zMyth: it’s not used a lot, that’s way there are less attacks y62% of the web servers used Apache

Linux versus Microsoft: advantages & disadvantages zLinux is modular by design, not monolithic (use of Mozilla, Thunderbird on Windows kames your system more secure) zMyth: open source is inherently dangerous yApache is open source yA lot of windows-specific viruses, malicious programs exist zMyth: it’s not used a lot, that’s way there are less attacks y68% of the web servers used Apache

Linux distributions and their differences zLinux kernel + GNU softwares + some custom configuration and installation programs: Linux based distribution zNumerous distributions zWhat Does It Cost? (from $00.00 to hundreds of dollars ) zCan I Keep My Current OS? yLive distributions: ability to run from the cd itself, creating only temporary files on your hard drive that are erased when you shut down your system, risk-free! yLinux can set up a dual-boot system using a Boot Loader program, such as LILO, which allows you to select which installed operating system to run shortly after your computer boots up.

Linux distributions and their differences zWhat's The Worst That Could Happen? yInstalling Linux involves changes to your computer's hard drive, yBacking up your hard drive, or at the least whatever information and programs you would not want to lose is strongly recommended.

Linux distributions and their differences zMandrake yPros: User-friendly, graphical configuration utilities, highly up-to-date enormous community support, … yCons: Some releases are buggy, the releases are initially made available to MandrakeClub members only. zFedora yPros: Widely used, excellent community support, lots of innovation, … yCons: Limited product life-span of the free edition, poor multimedia support, concerns over the Red Hat to Fedora transition. zKnoppix yPros: Excellent hardware auto-detection, runs directly from CD without hard disk installation, can be used as a recovery tool, … yCons: Low speed and performance if run directly from the CD, can not save file on hardisk.

Linux distributions and their differences zDebian yPros: 100% free, excellent web site and community resources, well-tested, painless software installation with apt-get, … yCons: Archaic installer, the stable version tends to be out-dated. zSuSe yPros: Professional attention to detail, easy-to-use YaST configuration tools, … yCons: Only available in parts of the world from software resellers or via FTP install, includes proprietary components, which prevents re-distribution. zRed flag ythe final release of Red Flag Linux 4.1 Desktop Edition is out and available for free download.Red Flag yThis is a distribution based on the recently formed Asianux, a common development platform maintained by China's Red Flag Linux, Japan's Miracle Linux and South Korea's Hansoft

Linux distributions and their differences Which Distribution Is The Best? yThe best distribution is whichever one that YOU think is best. zFor more information: zTo download: