gianfranco_ramoser

Windows to Linux Migration Guide

2004-11-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

Windows to Linux Migration Guide

Friday July 23, 2004 (10:15 PM GMT)

By: Karen D. Schwartz

For many companies, migrating from Windows to Linux makes sense. The reasons are compelling: greater stability and reliability, lower cost, access to application source code, greater security, and conformity with open standards, according to numerous independent studies and industry experts.

But for those charged with spearheading the actual migration, the project may seem difficult, unwieldy,

or untenable. They may fear unanticipated technological roadblocks as well as employees reticent to give up the tools they are used to using.

Before launching into a migration, make sure your reasons for migrating are business-driven. "You'll fail if you start a migration from the ideological side instead," notes Stefan Werden, leader of the Linux architecture team for Novell SUSE for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

To make that decision, conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis, projected out several years, based on what it would take to migrate and what it would cost not to migrate--not only financial costs, but other costs, such as the amount of overall control you want over your organization's software requirements. With a Windows-to-Linux migration, "nobody can force you to upgrade or deny you a security fix. You always call the shots, so you are guaranteed to save money and retain more control in the long run," says Nicholas Petreley, a Linux analyst at IT market intelligence firm Evans Data Corp. of Santa Cruz, Calif.

Of course, reducing costs can be another driving factor in the decision-making process. According to Forrester Research, 68% of companies in North America consider lowering overall operating costs a top priority, and Linux is one means to that end.

To achieve success in a Windows to Linux desktop migration, experts advise planning, planning, and more planning. Before starting, take these steps:

Get executive buy-in.This step is crucial. Without executive support, your project may be doomed to failure. By gathering this support before launching your project, you can be sure it will be supported, both financially and otherwise.
Make sure your organization is a good candidate for a Windows-to-Linux desktop migration.According to Werden, those that are good candidates generally are looking for ways to reduce the cost of IT and more control of employee desktops. In addition, these organizations use standard applications and software or need only basic data entry functions and often need remote application on mainframe, Unix and Windows on the same desktop.
Examine the existing environment and understand it thoroughly. Also, consider whether it makes sense to invest in new hardware, or whether you will be migrating with existing hardware.
Choose your flavor of Linux carefully. It doesn't matter much whether you settle on Red Hat, SUSE, Mandrake, Gentoo, Debian, or another flavor altogether. It's more important that your migration team is comfortable with the Linux distribution chosen.
Identify which employees within the organization are the best candidates for a Linux-based alternative desktop. Often, these include transactional workers and developers -- employees who rely on basic applications like Web browsers, productivity suites, and email -- and not workers who routinely use powerful programs like Photoshop or Macintosh-based applications. "It's about identifying needs or pockets where you can save the greatest amount of money with minimal disruption," notes Susan Jeffries, marketing manager for the Java Desktop System at Sun Microsystems Inc.
Prepare employees. There is nothing worse than coming into work on Monday morning and being treated to an entirely new desktop, with entirely new expectations. In addition, set up a program to train employees on the new system before unveiling it.
Consider using outside consultants.Unless you or members of your team have attempted such a migration before, it can be well worth the money to hire an outside consultant. Doing so can save countless hours of frustration. "When you run into a problem like not being able to get something to print, someone familiar with Linux will be able to fix it in 10 minutes. If you don't have such a person, it could take a week to fix the problem," Petreley says. Consultants charge in various ways--by the hour, or by the project. A reasonable hourly price range for general consulting with an experienced systems engineer costs $125 to $225 per hour. Total cost depends on geographic location, the cost of consultants in the area, and the number of employees, environment and number of applications to migrate. Typically, a migration consulting service may begin with a workshop, proof of concept and architecture and implementation review.

More : http://enterprise.linux.com/article.pl?sid=04/07/23/2219257

Gianfranco ramoser

The Linux OS

2004-11-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

4.1. The Linux OS

Topics covered in this section include:

Section 4.1.1 Getting Started

Section 4.1.2 Switching from Other Operating Systems

Section 4.1.3 Distributions

Section 4.1.4 Installation

Section 4.1.5 Kernel

Section 4.1.6 Boot Loaders and Booting the OS

Section 4.1.7 Parallel Processing

Section 4.1.8 Partitions and Filesystems

Section 4.1.9 RAID

Section 4.1.10 Printing

Section 4.1.11 Shell

Section 4.1.12 Using Linux

Source : http://www.linux.com/howtos/HOWTO-INDEX/os.shtml

Gianfranco ramoser

Review: CentOS 3.3 is a good Red Hat server alternative

2004-11-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

Review: CentOS 3.3 is a good Red Hat server alternative

By: Aditya Nag

According to the Web site of its developers, the cAos Foundation, "The goal [of CentOS] is to reproduce RHEL in a freely distributable form that complies in full with RedHat's redistribution requirements. It is designed for people who need an enterprise class OS without the cost of certification or the RedHat brand name." To a large extent, it succeeds.

Source : http://software.linux.com/

Gianfranco ramoser

Medical Billers Network Scam? Possible Money Back

2004-11-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

Editor: Read On for a possible way of getting your money back. This is not an endorsement of any of this by Linux Medical News, further Linux Medical News does not have any other information, recommendations or opinions about any of this. A little background: we first published an article entitled: Medical Billers Network Scam? in response to un-solicited negative comments that users began posting to Linux Medical News about MedicalBillersNetwork. A large number of people posted similar experiences alleging fraud by MBN. This is all off the main topic of this news site which is Free and Open Source software in medicine but, oh well. I will be unlikely to post about this subject on the main page again. I "joined" (to the tune of $249.00) Medical Billers Network only last week. I was allowed access to the first five socalled lesson modules, but only briefly. Although they recommended you not print the material, I did. It is the only information I received to study. Shortly after I downloaded the lesson modules, they were no longer available to me. Numerous calls to both the support office and "James", the guy who signed me up, resulted in absolutely no action taken to allow accessibility of those lessons that I paid for with money I did not really have. I sent them an email saying that if I cannot access the lesson information, I cannot study for the test. It has been several days and I still cannot access the early lessons (module 1 through 5 and "James" informed me that I am not ready to advance further in the lessons. My only consolation is the fact that although I did lose the money, at least I figured out that it was a scam before I went through hours and hours of study and fooling around trying to call nonexistent sources for a job in medical billing. It may not do any good, but I am calling an attorney to look into the feasibility of filing a class action lawsuit against these scam artists.

Source : http://www.linuxmednews.com/

Gianfranco ramoser

Explore Open Source Alternatives" From California Performance Review

2004-11-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger promised a complete audit of California's procedures and finances. That audit resulted in the California Performance Review. Information technology was considered in the review, and the California Performance Review recommends that the State of California explore open source alternatives. In the Statewide Operations ("SO"), Information Technology Enabling Cost Savings, section 10 ("SO10") the report says "Each year the State of California spends millions of dollars on software, software maintenance and renewal. Many private and governmental organizations are turning to open source software as a cost-effective alternative to closed source software. The state should more extensively consider use of open source software, which can in many cases provide the same functionality as closed source software at a much lower total cost of ownership.

gianfranco ramoser

US Health and Human Services - Request for Comment on EMR

2004-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

from the Interesting-Developments dept.
Office of the National Coordinator Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) was established on April 27, 2004 by Executive Order #13335 issued by President Bush. ONCHIT establishes the position of National Health Information Technology Coordinator within the Department of Health & Human Services. Click here to view the Executive Order.

"On November 15, the Office of the National Coordinator Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) released a Request for Information (RFI) that seeks public comment regarding how widespread interoperability of health information technologies and health information exchange can be achieved through a National Health Information Network (NHIN).

Gianfranco ramoser

Linux and Windows : what is your choice ?

2004-11-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

I'd like to know why you use Linux : cost, stable, security ?

I find it is great to be able to run a computer with only a cd (for example knoopix).

and You ?

gianfranco ramoser

My french blog

2004-11-23T13:35:00.000-08:00

I Have to a french blog.

http://gianfranco-ramoser.hautetfort.com/index.rss

The linux world

2004-11-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

I use linux because i'm tired to reboot my computer every hours....

When I bought my first computer, nobody told me that there was open source software, free, and secure.

I hope that I will help many people to discover le Linux World.