           
Why Linux?
Glad you asked! Linux
is commonly known as a server operating system or an operating system
for advanced users. Can a non-pro use it, and why should he or she do
so?
While Linux did begin
its life as a server operating system and an
operating system for advanced users, Linux has made significant progress
in a most key area: its graphical user interface.
Linux now has a very
easy to use interface for both the Windows and Mac crowd. The desktop
looks, acts and feels incredibly familiar, as do applications such word
processors, spreadsheets and photo editors.
Here are a few reasons
to use Linux:
FUNCTIONALITY
Linux comes with many tools you normally must buy separately if you run
Windows or Mac, including a full featured office suite (amazingly similar
to Microsoft Office) and a complete software development kit that is comparable
to Visual C++.
STABILITY
Linux is a very stable operating system. Linux systems don't crash often,
and don't need to be rebooted for anything other than upgrading the operating
system itself.
(ALMOST) NO VIRUSES
Linux is not prone to viruses. Because of how Linux handles data, a virus
cannot overwrite system files or append itself to applications unless
you are working as the "root" user. Linux has no registry or
DLL files, so Windows viruses have no effect on Linux at all.
PRICE
Linux is available for download for free. You have the option of buying
Linux CD sets at a very low price. But the two or three core disks, with
thousands of applications and tools, are there for the taking. And these
are "crippled" versions. They have the same files as the CDs
in the store box.
OPEN SOURCE
Linux is completely Open Source, meaning programmers around the world
have access to its "source code", which is code programmers
can read and modify. While this may not affect you as an end user directly,
it affects you indirectly because this means that Linux and its tools
and apps are under continuous, shared development. And updates to the
operating system and all the other software is a snap.
INDEPENDENCE
If the maintainers of traditional proprietary software (such as Windows
or Microsoft Office) stop working on it, or choose to ignore your problems,
you're on your own. Nobody can help you. DOS users remember a great program
called Q&A. Once the company that developed Q&A went out of business,
another company bought this marvelous app and then let it die. If someone
stops maintaining a Linux software application, someone steps in and continues
the work. The software is not "company owned" and controlled,
and so won't become a Q&A.
SPEED of development
Due to the its open source nature, many programmers from all around the
world work on Linux, causing it to develop and mature much faster than
other software.
FLEXIBILITY
If you need a feature in an application (or the operating system itself),
you don't need to turn to the maker of the application to get it in -
any
programmer can do it for you!
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Click here for Linux
News and Notes.
Updated frequently, so check Linux News and Notes
often!
Linux
You've
heard about it. You've read about it. Perhaps you've seen it on a desktop
or laptop computer. Or maybe you've even tried it.
Governments,
major industries, small businesses and even the military are now coming
to Linux in droves. The trickle from other
operating systems to Linux is quickly becoming a torrent. The reasons
vary from financial to security, but the mass migration has begun.
And
DLCA can take your company to the exciting, economical and secure world
of Linux. As the worldwide leader in Linux, we offer the finest technical
engineering and an affordable rate structure. We also offer five star
training, from the beginner level to the most comprehensive administrator
level. Our educational partnerships also give us state-of-the-art training
facilities.
Please click here
for an HTML (Web) version of our complete Linux capability statement or
you may click the Adobe Acrobat® logo below to download a PDF document
that lists our entire range of Linux capability. Both documents are identical.
Linux Capabilities Document (58K)
After you review our
Linux capabilities, give us a call at 937-604-8793 and let us show you
how your company's IT infrastructure can be more secure while saving significant
money.
Now, please read this
Open Source Excuse Buster:
There are still many excuses
out there for why your organization is not
looking at Open Source. Here the counters to them:
1. "Open Source Is Not Enterprise Ready." You still hear this
one, believe it
or not. Truth: IBM, Oracle, BEA, CA, and many other vendors disagree.
If you buy their products, you're getting some open source along with
their proprietary solution. Even Microsoft has been accused of using FreeBSD
IP code.
2. "Our staff isn't Trained in Open Source." Open Source training
and certification is as available and comparable in cost to most any other
training or certification. If your staff isn't trained, get them trained.
3. "There is No Cost Justification." Up front, your TCO (Total
Cost of Ownership) model is called into serious question if you're in
this crowd. The Open Source TCO is far less expensive for any size enterprise
than non-Open Source. Add up the cost of licensing for all of your MS
Office CALs, and then tell me that again. Out of the gate, MS server products
cost thousands of dollars and their certified engineers are expensive.
Open Source is free and their certified engineers are no more costly.
If an Open Source employee leaves, others can take his or her place very
quickly.
4. "You can't get support for Open Source." Microsoft has started
beating
this drum again. Honestly, how often do you need to speak with an MS staff?
When you do need to, can you talk with the developer? Or do you talk to
some Customer Service rep that probably knows less than you? Open Source
support is global and 24/7.
Reality of the Twenty-First Century: The Web is the primary source of
technical support today. With that said, there is plenty of support
available. If you still require someone who will be responsible for helping
you, then you can work with any of the big-name vendors that offer support
contracts for Linux and other Open Source vendors. More info is available
in
the Network Computing article: "'Team' Work Pays Off for
Linux"
5. "Our Vendors Don't support Open Source." I would suggest
you rethink that
statement and call your vendor to ask. Today, you probably have some products
that won't interoperate with some Open Source. But more and more do, particularly
in Web space. You should check before you come to such a snap decision.
Apache, Tomcat and PHP are all products that work on multiple platforms
and are supported by many vendors writing web applications.
6. "We Don't Have the Staff to Support Another Platform.", "Our
UNIX direction is AIX/Sun/HP." (Normally used in reference to Linux)
See #1. Those vendors are bringing you tons of Open Source products. Remember
that they're coming and see #2.
You have to use your head
when addressing issues that are (a) politically
charged and (b) big money (or loss thereof) for companies with large
marketing departments. Of course, there is a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty,
Doubt) out there on this topic. Our industry is divided, and we're trying
to bridge that divide.
Let
me know if you hear other reasons or excuses that I haven't listed
here;
eventually I'll list them here as well.
Try to remember - The reason
for moving to Open Source for a given solution
is that it is "The Best Tool For the Job", not because it is
a religious
persuasion. Your organization does not need zealots; it needs people who
want to solve business problems with the best tool for the job.
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