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Advantages of Linux

Linux is one of many Open Source Operating Systems but it is by far the most popular with some estimates putting it as high as 20 million installations worldwide. Linux is the base on which most other OSS projects rest. Linux is a strong base for your computing needs. We have outlined the main reasons for considering Linux, but here we wanted to offer a more detailed list in case you found:

Building a Strong Foundation

·        Linux is stable--servers and workstation can literally run for years without a crash. You can count on Linux as a stable foundation for your computing needs.

·        Linux is secure--very few viruses have hit Linux systems. The entire Linux community makes sure it stays that way. Linux is designed and built with security in mind. There are few if any ``virus packages'' for Linux because they are simply not needed. Security patches are available free for download from the Internet. Some service providers offer automatic updates for a nominal fee.

·        Linux is a modern standards-based operating system--Linux has all the features of a strong production grade operating system. All we can offer is a bunch of computing acronyms (SMP, JFS, Protected Memory, VM, etc.), but they are the engine under the Linux hood and, when viewed as a whole, they are not matched by any other OS anywhere at any price.

Economic and Legal Reasons to Consider Linux

·        Linux runs efficiently on almost any hardware--new and old: 386, 486, Intel Pentium, AMD, PowerPC, SPARC, IBM, etc. That old hardware you had to retire because it was inadequate for the latest software upgrades, is now a valuable resource for you company. It can be put back in service with Linux. Linux is also a good hedge against premature hardware replacement and upgrades. This can be a great savings for your company.

·        Linux recognizes most hardware upgrades--if you add new hardware (e.g., a new graphics card, memory upgrades, a new disk, etc.) chances are Linux will recognize it. Just plug it in and reboot. Linux will most likely recognize it automatically and put it into service.

·        Most software is free or very reasonable cost--The is a big benefit for small businesses who are always looking for ways to save money. NOTE: not all software for Linux is Open Source. Many good proprietary applications are available too and at reasonable cost.

·        Since the software is free, the upgrades are free--Imagine getting a new version of Linux (for all your systems) and it includes the latest versions of your office software too--all free. If you don't want to upgrade our office package, you don't have to, but it's there if you do. This is hard to match in the proprietary software world.

·        Software licensing problems disappear--The GNU General Public License (GPL) which is used for most Open Source Software means you can freely copy the software to all the computers you want to without the worry of violating a licensing agreement. The GPL grants the right to freely copy and use this software. If, however, you purchase proprietary software that runs on Linux, you are bound by the software vendor's license agreement which varies from vendor to vendor. Most of the software available for Linux is ``GPL'ed'' including Linux itself.

Ease of Installation, Operation and Maintenance

·        Linux is easy to install--most of the main Linux distributions offer a graphical installation process that automatically configures the system. Upgrades are equally easy and best of all, no one is forcing you to upgrade. If you are happy with a release and want to keep it for another year, no problem.

·        Linux is easy to network--Networking is built in to Linux at the core. It's easy to connect Linux machines and set up servers on a network. Linux can work with the existing networks you have, including NT networks, Appletalk networks, Novell, Unix, etc. Strong network management software is available (usually free) to help your administrator (or you) keep the network in tip top shape.

·        Linux can "inter-operate''--or talk to and work with computers running other Operating Systems (OS's) like Windows, Unix, MacOS, etc. This makes adoption of Linux very flexible. It's not all or nothing. You can slowly (or rapidly) add Linux into your company's computing environment. If some of you critical apps don't run on Linux, keep them where they are. Where Linux does fit, consider the advantages and decide based on the merits.

·        Linux servers are tops--The best of Linux is the strong server offerings available. Software for file servers, print servers, fax servers, groupware server, email servers, and web servers are all available and mostly free. Everything you need to make your office go.

The User Experience

·        Linux offers strong Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's)--similar to the Windows environment (you will be comfortable if you use Windows now). The two main ones for Linux are KDE and Gnome, all are selectable when you login to Linux.

·        Linux offers solid access to the Internet--Browsers, email, etc. applications are numerous and work very well. Linux support all connection types like DSL, Cable, standard modems, ISDN, etc.

·        Mobile computers are supported--Laptops, Palms, etc will work with Linux with the features most users have come to expect.

·        Linux is a multiuser system--More that one user can use the same system. Users login to Linux using a password. Each user has his/her own environment (files, settings, etc). Think of the flexibility. More than one person can share the same machine. Users on a network can use any machines in any location--while seeing only their stuff with their personal settings.

This can also be a cost saving measure because it allows PC's to be replaced by simpler computers called ``thin clients'' at great savings. These cheaper machines use standard applications from a server, not each PC, making software upgrades easy.

·        Remote desktop support is built-in--If you need remote access (i.e., the ability to access and operate one computer from a different computer), it's already part of Linux. Users of pcAnywhere(tm) will appreciate the power of Xwindows, the part of Linux that provides this capability. Great when you need to help a user in a different location.

·        Many applications run on Linux and the list is growing rapidly--You should be able to find equivalent software for most standard applications you currently use. Much of it is free or very low cost when compared to software for proprietary operating systems. Check the software catalog on L4SB.

·        Standard office applications are available--Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, address book, calendar. Entire office suite replacements, like StarOffice and KOffice are available free. These are not 1-for-1 replacements but are usually more than adequate for most users and can read/write standard office documents. If someone sends you a standard word processing or spreadsheet document, you can open it. You can also produce documents in these formats to send to other companies not operating on Linux.

Flexibility of Linux

·        Linux is flexible--This is probably the greatest advantage of all. Linux and OSS applications can be adapted for your specific needs, usually at low cost. Why? Because the source code is available to everyone. A great pool of OSS makes it possible for developers to quickly add a company-specific function. Instead of making your people waste their time working around the limitations of packaged software, make the software adapt to them. You can now think about.

·        Linux supports many ``legacy'' applications and systems--Is your business prevented from getting a system upgrade because you still use an old Fortran program? Still need to run an old DOS program? Linux supports many old systems through emulation (you don't need to keep old hardware to run the old applications, they appear in a Linux window). Linux has support and compilers for much of the old legacy programming languages too. With Linux, you can upgrade and keep using those old but necessary programs until you are ready to replace them.

·        Linux comes with a developers ``tool box''--Linux has a complete set of development tools, most of which are free. There are a wide range of general programming languages like Scheme, Java, C, C++, Fortran, Perl, Python, BASIC, Tcl, and SmallTalk and many more. There are also numerous special purpose programming languages like PHP (web) and R (statistics). Linux also has tools like debuggers, IDE's, bug tracking systems, and even software packaging systems. In the software development arena, Linux has no peers. It draws from over 30 years of Unix programming experience--far more than any other operating system.

From the server to the web, from the home to the office, Linux is moving ahead rapidly and we believe it is ready for small business, depending of the needs of the organization.