Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 09:27:46 -0500 From: Chris <racerx@makeworld.com> To: Aaron Benson <ab72@optushome.com.au> Cc: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org Subject: Re: Are you truly a M$ desktop alternative? Message-ID: <4107B7E2.3000606@makeworld.com> In-Reply-To: <001901c474aa$71ee4700$6500a8c0@giga7nnxp> References: <001901c474aa$71ee4700$6500a8c0@giga7nnxp>
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Aaron Benson wrote: > Hi, > > Centralised admin is my primary concern. User perspective is obviously > functionality. > Anyway.... > I've decided the best course of action to save money for the company is > to run a kickarse Microsft 2K3 server Terminal Server, then use "SOME > SORT" of ULinux OS to run on the client machine with a compatible TS > client like rdesktop, PXES etc. possibly including a combo with LTSP, > Rdesktop and Wilisystem if I want an EPROM diskless total boot from > ULinux workstation desktop to W2K3 Terminal Server without user > interaction. > The question is, out of all the ULinux flavours, which one should I run > which costs nothing or very little and will last for 4-6years in that > time period? "Very little" equates to somewhat less than running Windows > XP for a similar period. > Cost savings include at least virus scanners and significant patch > updates from Microsoft. Of course I'd rather update a single server than > around 500 workstations both LAN and VPN remote machines. Virus > signatures, multiple Microsoft patches etc. can be avoided. > Reminder is I'm used to using XP. Our users range from Windows NT > 4.0,Windows 2000 Pro and Windows XP. Based on a decent TS client, this > shouldn't matter anyway. > Your advice appreciated. > > Regards > > Aaron Benson > > -----Original Message----- > From: Aaron Benson [mailto:ab72@optushome.com.au] > Sent: Saturday, 24 July 2004 10:19 PM > To: 'freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org' > Subject: Are you truly a M$ desktop alternative? > > > > Hi, > > This email is going to any Linux house whom has pitched themselves via > their websites and reviews, from my research as being possible > alternatives to XP at this stage. Depends on your Google hit and > thereafter (if found within 2 pages) site FAQ's I suppose. > > As a currently dedicated M$ house (apart from Oracle Databases), we > question the move to a XP desktop amid the Linux hype in recent times. > Any IT department trying to save company money is only doing the right > thing and ask the question, what can Linux do for us? > > I've flipped through your FAQ's and over forums but result in no answer > for Active Directory 2K3 and Exchange 2K3 server client connectivity, > integration and functionality? Note that we have not moved to these > product versions yet. Hence this email. > > I ask because I cannot see a server based centralised authentication and > administrative option in Linux. If there were, say a "centralised server > option" for Linux, this would be seriously considered. Is there a User > Manager equivalent (NT4 domain for example) or Exchange Administrator > equivalent (Exchange 5.5) "functional" alternative? More importantly, > 2K3 Server and Exchange integration? > > Failing that, connecting clients as above to M$ servers would be > sufficient. Stay with M$ in servers, go with Linux in desktops. I've > seen enough "glossy brochures" and want to know the facts. > > The cost difference is obvious. The functional difference is not. I've > still no reason to choose your Linux over Windows XP Pro at this stage. > Cost is not enough. Any sane IT department doesn't need screaming users > due to lack of pure functionality. Experience suggests most find it > difficult enough getting around the OS to even perform basic functions, > let alone usability. > > Assuming aforementioned functionality, where does your Linux stand with > converting between M$ Office 97/2K/2K3? Will our accounts department be > able to work with their previous 40Mb Excel files full of VLookups and > Formulas straightup, or is it going to be bigger than a Lotus 4.1 to > Excel 5 conversion debacle? > Of course Word,PowerPoint,Publisher and Access are questioned also. > > I'm talking up to 500 user desktops to be upgraded. Upgraded need not be > a literal word. Installing Linux from scratch would be expected. > Anything "upgrade wise" extra would be a bonus. > > Outside of M$ Office, current application functionality would have to be > trialed. This is expected. A list of currently supported M$ applications > would be helpful. WHY are you asking what flavor of Lunix to run on a FreeBSD list? Subscribe to a Linux list and ask there. -- Best regards, Chris -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. ClamAV virus dat updated: Wed Jul 28 2004 at 03:02:59 daily.cvd updated (version: 424, sigs: 1141, f-level: 2, builder: tkojm)
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