Reviews

Desktop

In case you have not followed this series of articles on the Linuxdesktop (see Resources for Parts 1-5), we have been discussing the suitability of different distributions for enterprise use. So far, we have covered the Xandros Business Edition, Novell's Linux Desktop, Red Hat's Enterprise Desktop, Sun's Java Desktop System and Linspire. We evaluated those claiming to be ready for enterprise deployment against a setof modified criteria originating from Bernard Golden'sSucceedingwith Open Source and the Open Source Maturity Model. Specifically, we asked the following questions:

In addition, we wanted to know if the distribution has an activecommunity of interest. Could users go to a forum or a mailing list to find answers or workarounds to common problems?

The first four articles in the series dealt with organizations thatclaimed they had a place in large enterprises, including governments, globaltelephone companies, manufacturers, health care companies and colleges, universities and schools. If their claims are valid, a CIO then couldlook at our criteria and evaluate the distribution's suitability for hisor her company's needs.

Last week we covered Michael Robertson's Linspire Linux distribution. Wesaid emphatically that Linspire did not claim enterprise suitability. So,we stressed the need for an organization to use an on-site Linuxsystem administrator if it wanted to deploy that distribution inthe enterprise.

This week, I turned my attention to Ubuntu. Ubuntu software also does notclaim to be suitable for big government or big enterprise needs, but itdoes claim to be a desktop suitable for use in numerous contexts. In the United States,a vicious vendor lobby would attack Ubuntu and establish a bias againstit. CIOs would avoid the use of Ubuntu, out of an unwillingness to gobeyond initial impressions even though the software merits attention.

Although such a bias often proves unfair, CIOs of American organizationshave proven to be more cautious about using open-source software thanare their counterparts in other parts of the world. The scope of CIOs in USFederal government also is limited by procurement protocols as well asby Microsoft's Windows lobbyists.

For the rest of the world's governments as well as for schools, emergingbusinesses and the established Linux user population, Ubuntu recapturesthe excitement of open-source innovation. It provides a remarkablystable environment, and it takes from the best of open source and works fornew users as well as for veterans.

While other distributions can cost upwards of $250 for a single desktop,Ubuntu comes free of charge. The company even mails copies to people without asking for shipping and handling reimbursements. One might ask,then, "what's the gimmick?"

If a reader asks, "what's the gimmick?", that question might be proofthat he or she lives in an enculturated world, where everyone seems to have a gimmick. History has shown us, however, rare cases of individuals who discovered that givingprovided a greater reward than did accumulating. As for Ubuntu, theUbuntu Linux Web siteprovides a clue to it motivations:

You should visit the distribution's Web site in order to learn moreabout Ubuntu's philosophy. If you do not, though, you still should know that:

In less than a year since the initial release, Ubuntu has become thetop-ranked Linux distribution byDistrowatch. Considering that the first release of Ubuntu occurred on October 10, 2004, one has to see Ubuntu as one of those rare instant successes.

In the United States, Ubuntu fits what some self-appointed gurus callthe hobbyist market. Those of us familiar with Linux find Ubuntu anacceptable, refreshing and long-awaited version of our favorite operatingsystem. It's not a clone of Microsoft Windows, so users do not see fancysplash screens on boot-up. Instead, users see Linux booting up. Users also find a cleverly modified desktop that uses native GNOME icons and toolbars. Itfits Linux guys needs and preferences like a glove.

In addition, Ubuntu works in the home market, where it fits in with otheroperating systems, including Mac and Windows. ExperiencedLinux users should find that Ubuntu also is a nice fit for laptops, especially olderones. You can bring your laptop home and become part of the home networkwith wireless or wired connectivity.

If you have a Linux system administrator or a contractor on staff,Ubuntu also works in small- to medium-sized business environments. Municipal governments, schools, government-sponsored agencies, call centers and soon should find Ubuntu to be a suitable platform. This distribution provides large repositories of applications for users to download. The developers thoughtfully gave Ubuntu the advantage of having to turn on the repositories.

Figure 1. Configuring the Synaptic PackageManager

With Ubuntu, the package manager restricts access to two largerepositories, Universe and Multiverse. In Figure 1, you can see that therestricted repositories can be added easily by the administrator. Onesimply checks the boxes to the left of the Community Maintained andNon-Free selections. Otherwise, the user has a limit on the applications available to him or her.

In Figure 2, you can see a screenshot of the Add/Remove Programs (the SynapticPackage Manager) the user sees if Universe and Multiverse have not becomepart of the users choices.

Figure 2. Add/Remove Programs Screen fromApplications/System Tools Menu

Overall, the restrictions on a user's ability to download programs gives morecontrol to the system administrator.

For users who install and configure their own Ubuntu workstations,they can access configuration tools by setting up the administrator'spassword. This provides a compromise for the consumer market and theenterprise.

Now, let's continue our discussion of where Ubuntu fits. In addition tothe markets discussed above, Ubuntu fits enterprises in emerging nationsaround the globe. The global market should have less of a knee-jerk reactionto the African name of the distribution than some Americans might have.

Eventually, Ubuntu should appeal to the market segment beyond theinnovator/early adopter class we discussed in Part 5 (see Resources) and also appeal to mainstream users in the US. If a company called Yahoo can gain acceptance in the starched-shirt world of Wall Street, Ubuntulikewise can become acceptable to a vast number of users looking for a fun Linux distribution.

A friend suggested Ubuntu to me several months ago at a Linux usersgroup (LUG) meeting. I did not take advantage of the opportunity to trythe distribution at that time. However, I did listen to my friend'sdescription of Ubuntu, and based on his enthusiastic manner of speaking,I later downloaded and tried it.

The Ubuntu distribution uses Debian as its base, as does Xandros andLinspire. Debian-based distributions have not impressed me in thepast. However, Ubuntu combines the stability of Debian with the leading-edge features of RPM-based distributions such as JDS, Red Hat and SUSE.Therefore, I see Ubuntu as the best of both worlds.

I put the distribution through some tough tests and found that I had todo less customizing with this desktop than any of the others I havetested. Figure 3 is a screenshot ofCrossOverOffice 4.2 installing a Win32 application I find useful.

Figure 3. Installing WinSCP with Codeweavers CrossOverOffice 4.2

The installation of CrossOver Office went smoothly. I installed it fromthe command line with a simpledpkg -i command,after which the Crossover menu came up without a problem.

Although I have access to any pricey distribution I want, I have started using Ubuntuas my standard desktop. I installedSkype and several other programs Iuse regularly. Overall, this distro performs well.

Part of my work day involves using a Linux desktop as a window manageron which I can open multiple terminals and use the command line. Ubuntuallows me to use multiple desktop workspaces correctly. I can switchbetween virtual workspaces without having to see every application open on the system.

At other times, I use OpenOffice.org's word processor, The GIMP, Evolution and Firefox. For all of these, Ubuntu opens applications quickly and hasa pleasing look and feel. It fits my needs as writer and author.

As a system administrator, I would deploy and use Ubuntu. Although theenterprise tools I have written about in past articles are notyet available for Ubuntu, they will arrive in the near future. Ubuntu'ssponsor,Canonical Ltd., has thenecessary funding and a history of succeeding quickly and efficiently.

I anticipate that Ubuntu will become the mainstream Linux distributionglobally. As the saying goes, though, only time will tell. However, ifyou do your due diligence on the company, the sponsor, the spirit ofinnovation and success of the Ubuntu people, you probably will come to thesame conclusion. All the elements have gone into play for rapid success. As they say in my part of the country, this dog can hunt. In addition,it can point and win a show or two if need be.

"Linux inGovernment: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 5 - Linspire"

"Linux inGovernment: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 4 - JDS"

"Linux inGovernment: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 3 - Red Hat EnterpriseLinux"

"Linux inGovernment: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 2 - Novell LinuxDesktop"

"Linux inGovernment: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 1 - Xandros BusinessEdition"