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Windows to Linux Business Desktop Migration
Linux has established itself as the fastest growing server platform and is poised to capitalize on its success in the enterprise data center to become a formidable desktop operating system. One area that potential desktop Linux users find lacking is that of information on the capabilities of Linux as a desktop operating system in comparison to Microsoft
Windows. Windows to Linux Business Desktop Migration explores the advantages of the Linux desktop and forewarns of the possible pitfalls associated with a Linux desktop migration. The reader will benefit from the tips included in the text to realize the goals of increased productivity and better value from their desktop computing investment. In order to make this possible the book focuses on four main points: * Explaining the factors involved in a Windows to Linux migration, including how to form a strategy for a Windows dependent organization, including advice on what open source back office software could potentially augment the new desktop solution; * Advising IT managers on data migration strategies for critical information (Office documents, bookmarks, address books, etc.); * Improving the overall stability, security and productivity of their desktop environment by utilizing Linux' extensive management capabilities and permissions; * Providing recommendations for open source applications that can be used in lieu of commercial applications on both Windows and Linux with consideration given as to how to maintain equivalent or better experience. Unlike other Linux desktop books, Windows to Linux Business Desktop Migration discusses both the strategy of how Windows users would implement the Linux operating system along with tactics to avoid pitfalls during the migration.
CONTENTS:
Preface xvii
Part I Developing a Linux Desktop Strategy 1
1 Why Migrate to the Linux Desktop from Windows 3
Understanding the Costs of the Desktop 4
Computing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) 4
Licensing and Royalties 5
Open Source 6
Free Open Source Software Applications (FOSS) 7
The Free Software Movement 7
The Open Source Definition 10
Common Licenses Used for Desktop Linux Software 10
Single Vendor Dependence 12
Length of Product Usable Life 13
Windows 95 released August 1995 - Minimum Hardware
Requirements 14
Windows 98 released June 1998 - Minimum Hardware Requirements 14
Windows 2000 released February 2000 - Minimum Hardware
Requirements 14
Windows XP released October 2001 - Minimum Hardware
Requirements 15
Up Time/Productivity 15
Stability 16
Viruses 17
Security 17
Contents
v
Open Source Development Model 18
Linux Design 19
Server Evolution versus Desktop Evolution 21
Momentum 21
Summary 22
Other Resources 23
References 23
2 Desktop Computing Needs Analysis 25
Needs Analysis 26
Profiles of the Desktop Users 27
Hardware Interoperability 33
Linux Application Planning 38
Taking an Application Inventory and Determining Usage Patterns 38
Linux Migration via Web-Based Applications 40
Rewriting Applications 40
Acquiring Expertise 41
Look for Local Expertise: Linux Users Groups (LUGs) 41
Training and Certification 42
End User Training 44
Support Infrastructure 44
Do-IT-Yourself (DIY) with In-House IT Staff 45
Outsourced Support 45
Summary 45
Other Resources 46
References 47
3 Preparing for Your Linux Migration 49
Inflection Points Provide Logical Opportunities
for Migration 50
Utility in Desktop Computing 51
vi Contents
Staging Open Source Applications on Windows 52
Office Suites 52
Web Browsers 54
The OpenCD Project 56
File- and Print-Sharing Conversions or Accommodations 57
Hardware Redeploy or Buy Decisions 57
Redeployment 58
End User Acceptance 60
Environment Familiarity 61
Technology Acceptance Model 61
Summary 62
Other Resources 62
References 62
Part II Linux Desktop Deployment Tactics 65
4 Live Linux CD-ROMs 67
Live Linux Filesystem CD-ROM Distributions 68
How Live Linux CD-ROMs Work 71
Linux Test Drive 72
Evaluating Applications and Document Compatibility 73
Testing Office Document Compatibility with Linux 74
Training Labs 75
IT Tool Kit with Linux 76
Diagnostic Tools 76
Identifying PCI Cards 76
Disk Tools 82
Rescuing Data from a Workstation 85
Security Tools 89
Repurposing Windows PCs 90
Repurposing or Dual Purposing Windows PCs 91
Contents vii
Building a Thin Client Network with NoMachine and Knoppix 95
Building your own Linux Live Filesystem CD-ROM Distribution 95
Summary 95
Other Resources 96
References 96
5 Linux Desktop Deployment 97
Thick or Thin Desktop Deployments 98
Traditional Computing - Thick Client 99
Thin Client Computing 102
Installing a Thick Client Linux Desktop 104
File System 105
Disk Partitioning 109
Give Your Hard Drive a Kickstart 122
Bootloaders 122
GRUB - Grand Unified Bootloader 123
LILO 125
Fixing Boot Errors 126
Removing the Master Boor Record 126
Logging In 127
Text Login 127
Graphical Login 127
Summary 132
Other Resources 132
6 Using the Linux Desktop 135
Overview of the Linux Environment 137
Permissions - Users and Groups 137
The Command Line Interface 148
Getting Help 153
Installing Programs 155
viii Contents
Graphical User Interfaces 160
The X Windows System 161
Window Managers 161
GNOME 163
Configuring the GNOME Desktop 164
Nautilus - The GNOME File Manager 168
The GNOME Office Suite 170
KDE 173
Configuring the KDE Desktop 175
Konqueror - The KDE File Manager 176
KOffice 176
KDE Resources 181
Summary 181
Other Resources 182
References 182
7 Linux Business Desktop Applications 183
Core Applications 184
Web Browsers 185
Plug-ins 202
Email 203
Office Suites for the Linux Desktop 208
Miscellaneous Business Applications 213
Dia - An Alternative to Microsoft Visio 213
Desktop Publishing and Web Authoring 213
Financial 218
Media Players 221
Where to Find Additional Applications 223
SourceForge,net 224
Freshmeat.net 224
Tucows 224
Contents ix
Summary 224
Other Resources 225
References 226
Part III Supporting the Windows to Linux Migration 227
8 Back-Office Infrastructure 229
Leveraging Your Existing Infrastructure 231
The Seat Licensing Model 231
Heterogenous Network 233
Linux Replacement of Windows Servers 235
Linux Server Distributions 235
Open Source Services for Back Office Infrastructure 238
Samba File and Print Services 238
Directory Services and OpenLDAP 239
Email and Groupware 240
Apache - An Alternative to Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) 247
Other Notable Open Source Solutions 249
Browser-Based Server Administration with Webmin 249
YaST - Yet another System Tool 250
Firewalls 250
Virtual Private Networks 254
Squid Proxy Server 254
Alternatives to Microsoft Terminal Services 255
Asterisk Server an Open Source PBX 255
Summary 256
Other Resources 257
References 258
9 Data Migration and Backups 261
Format Conversion 263
x Contents
Office Documents 265
Migrating Data Off the Windows Desktop 266
Centralizing Data for Dual Boot Users 266
Migrating Email, Calendar, and Contacts 270
Converting Favorites to Bookmarks 274
Other Applications 275
Software that Helps You Migrate Settings and Data 275
Backups 278
Data Location 279
Operating System Backups 279
Backup Software 280
KDar - the KDE Disk Archiver 283
Summary 284
Other Resources 284
10 Migrating Windows Applications to Linux 287
Running Windows Applications on Linux 289
Windows on Linux Desktop Candidates 290
How to Run Windows Applications Natively on Linux 292
Wine - Replacing the Windows API 292
Virtual Machines to Run Windows PCs 298
Connecting to Windows Terminal Services on Linux 306
Windows Terminal Services via RDP 308
Accessing Windows Applications via Citrix 309
Porting Windows Applications to Linux 310
QT 310
GTK+ 310
REALbasic 310
wxWidgets 311
Web Services 311
Summary 312
Contents xi
Other Resources 313
References 313
11 Thin Client Computing 315
Thin Client Overview 316
Components of a Thin Client Network 317
Advantages of Thin Client Networks 319
Standardization and Implementation of Standards 321
Disadvantages of Thin Client Networks 322
Thin Client and Desktop Implementation Migration Strategy 323
Trial and Pilot Programs 323
Phased in Approach to Migration 324
Recycle Thick Client Workstations 324
Sweet Spots for Thin Client Technology 325
Linux Terminal Services 326
Redisplay Software 327
Free and Open Source Redisplay Mechanisms 328
Commercial Applications 330
Linux Terminal Servers Powered by Windows on Linux Solutions 333
Summary 337
Other Resources 337
12 Additional Resources 339
Web Sites 340
LinuxQuestions.org - www.linuxquestions.org 341
DesktopLinux.com - www.desktoplinux.com 341
Linux Documentation Project - www.tldp.org 342
Linux.com - www.linux.com 342
NewsForge - www.newsforge.com 343
Slashdot - www.slashdot.org 343
Freshmeat - www.freshmeat.net 344
SourceForge - www.sourceforge.net 344
xii Contents
SearchEnterpriseLinux - www.searchenterpriselinux.com 345
DesktopOS - www.desktopos.org 345
Mailing Lists and Forums 346
Usenet News 346
Linux Users Groups (LUGs) 348
Consultants 348
Summary 348
Other Resources 349
References 350
Appendix A Software Licenses 351
GNU Public License 351
GNU Lesser Public License (GLPL) 357
Mozilla Public License 366
Berkley Software Development License 379
Appendix B Linux Distribution Competitive Analysis 381
Large Enterprise Linux Distributions 382
Small and Medium Business (SMB) Linux Distributions 395
Xandros 397
Linspire 401
Notables 405
Summary 410
Appendix C Case Studies 411
Case Study I - Software Company Saves $400 - $500 Per Desktop 411
Case Study II - Patience Pays Off in a Conservative IT Environment 413
Case Study III - Manufacturing Company Converts to
Linux Desktops in 120 Days 415
Case Study IV - Local Government Saves $27,000 With
Squid/SquidGuard 418
Case Study V - Volunteer Effort Saves a Charter School $145,000 421
Contents xiii
Case Study VI - State Government Leads the Way with LAMP 423
Case Study VII - OpenNMS for Managed Hosting Company 425
Case Study VIII - City Government Saves with Thin Clients 428
Case Study IX - Linux Thin Clients Best Choice for 1200 Remote Users 430
Case Study X - Gruppo Ventaglio Italian Tour Operator
Uses Thin Client 433
Case Study XI - Linux Applications for Homeless Services Agency 435
Case Study XII - Sun Ray Thin-Clients for Netherlands' Schools 437
References 438
Appendix D Knoppix Quick Start Guide 439
Index 447
xiv Contents
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