[KLUG Members] [Fwd: Circuits: A Beginner's Guide to Linux]

[Ralph M. Deal]

Just got this message from the New York Times online!
   LINUX is truly big time now!

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Circuits: A Beginner's Guide to Linux  <<<<<!!!!!
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 2002 14:19:04 -0500
From: "The New York Times Direct" <NYTDirect@nytimes.com>
Reply-To: "The New York Times Direct" <NYTDirect@nytimes.com>
To: deal@kzoo.edu


Circuits from NYTimes.com
Thursday, December 5, 2002
-------------------------------------

1. From the Desk of David Pogue: What Is This Linux, Anyway?
2. This Week in Circuits: The Holiday Card, Set in Motion
3. The Robot Chronicles: Building a Better Cat
4. State of the Art: DVD-VCR Combinations Reviewed
5. What's Next: Radio Transmitters in Soccer Balls
6. PC Cases: Escape From the Boring Beige
7. Charity: Virtual Volunteers, Real Connections
8. Online Diary: The URL of Sandwich


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1. From the Desk of David Pogue: What Is This Linux, Anyway?
============================================================

I haven't written about Linux much in the "State of the Art"
column. That's because, from what I've heard, Linux isn't
yet easy enough to use for everyday consumers.

But I'll admit that I've never actually installed and tried
it. So when, in reaction to my last e-mail column (about
Microsoft's dominance), a few passionate Linux fans scolded
me for writing off this up-and-coming operating system, I
decided it was time to take Linux's pulse.

Via e-mail, I interviewed Bill McCarty, associate professor
of Web and Information Technology at Azusa Pacific
University and author of "Learning Red Hat Linux." I learned
a lot, and hoped you might, too.


Pogue: In a nutshell, what are the advantages of Linux over
other operating systems?

McCarty: The two central advantages are:

1. Linux is free, in two senses, and
2. Linux is not dominated by Microsoft.

Linux is free in the economic sense that you can obtain it
without payment and install a single copy multiple times.

Linux is free in another sense that's important primarily to
programmers: The source code is freely available, so
programmers can learn how it works, fix broken features or
add improvements. This advantage is the driving force behind
Linux. But I concede that the typical user isn't much
disposed to avail himself or herself of it.

The urge to be free of Microsoft's technical domination also
drives many Linux users, [but] there are other advantages:
[For example,] Linux is also highly reliable. This is mainly
of importance to system and network administrators, rather
than consumers, because Windows desktop operating systems
have become sufficiently reliable to satisfy most personal
computer users.

Aunt Sally isn't much likely to care about any of these
advantages other than cost. And Aunt Sally probably already
paid for Windows when she bought her PC, so free Linux
probably doesn't much excite her either.


Pogue: How much is it like Windows or Mac OS X? How familiar
will it seem to switchers?

McCarty: Linux provides a choice between two desktop
environments, called GNOME and KDE. Both desktop
environments feature a trash icon, desktop icons, a menu, a
taskbar and so on. Many people can more or less instantly
start using Linux without special training or assistance.

Applications are a bigger concern. Popular programs such as
MS Word, Outlook and Internet Explorer don't run natively
under Linux. Roughly equivalent Linux alternatives exist,
but users will need time to learn their way around
unfamiliar menus and task bars.


Pogue: Would you call Linux ready for everyday consumers?

McCarty: I'm unsure what would motivate Aunt Sally to switch
to Linux. But if she did decide to switch, she'd likely need
some help.


Pogue: Would you call Linux ready for corporations?

McCarty: Definitely! Linux is already extensively used in
server rooms and specialized or dedicated applications. The
main payoff is the software cost, which is essentially zero.
A current ad by HP touts Amazon.com as having saved $57
million per year by using Linux in its front-end Web
servers.

The case is more complicated on the desktop -- word
processing, email, Web browsing and so on. Workers are
generally familiar with Windows. Even though Linux may be
easy to learn, workers may not appreciate having to cope
with multiple computing environments. So there's a tradeoff
between the software cost savings and worker morale and
performance. I'd say that most company cultures find such a
change unfavorable.


Pogue: Can you get Linux drivers for popular printers,
scanners and cameras?

McCarty: A few manufacturers refuse to provide Linux drivers
or information necessary for the Linux community to write
drivers. As Linux becomes more widely used, this situation
has become less common, but it continues to exist. So
there's truth behind this concern.


Pogue: How easy is Linux to install?

McCarty: If Linux is being installed on modern hardware and
the user makes all the right choices during installation,
I'd expect a 90 percent or better rate of success. I
actually see about a 70-80 percent success rate on the
initial installation attempt.


Pogue: Suppose a novice wanted to get started with Linux.
How should they proceed?

McCarty: Linux versions are called "distributions." They're
generally sold by vendors who combine various software
packages, put them on a CD and offer the package for sale,
generally bundled with some support. Each distribution has a
slightly different personality. Debian GNU/Linux
(www.debian.org) is an exception, since it's not sold in
stores. It's the result of an all-volunteer effort and can
be freely downloaded, installed and redistributed.

I personally recommend the Red Hat Linux distribution
(www.redhat.com), which is inexpensively available at most
computer stores. Mandrake Linux (www.mandrake.org) is
especially popular among U.S. Linux users who want the
latest Linux software. Literally dozens of other
distributions exist. Most can be downloaded by anyone with a
high-speed modem.

[As for training materials,] Linux Journal and Linux
Magazine are available at bookstores and have Web sites
offering much information. Amazon.com lists 575 titles
containing the word "Linux."


My thanks to Mr. McCarty for his candid responses.
Incidentally, this is a heavily edited version of the full
interview, which you can read at:
http://www.nytimes/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05POGUE-EMAIL.html?8cir

--------

What do you think? Is Mr. McCarty on target with his
assessment of Linux? If you've tried Linux, what are your
thoughts on its prospects for success with the everyday PC
user? Post your message in the forum linked below, where
David Pogue and the rest of the world can read and respond.
http://forums.nytimes.com/webin/WebX?13@@.f16bec4


Visit David Pogue on the Web at:
http://www.davidpogue.com


2. This Week in Circuits: The Holiday Card, Set in Motion
=========================================================

As the holidays arrive, some homes begin to resemble
production studios as digital cameras, camcorders and
editing software propel a growing trend: the multimedia
holiday greeting card.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05memo.html?8cir

-----

More From This Week's Circuits:
http://www.nytimes.com/circuits


3. The Robot Chronicles: Building a Better Cat
==============================================

When engineers set out to create a robotic toy, their
calculations go beyond the mechanics. A look at how a Hasbro
engineer tried to build emotion into a hit toy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05prof.html?8cir


4. State of the Art: DVD-VCR Combinations Reviewed
==================================================

Often gadgets that merge functions are destined for failure,
but at least one hybrid may work: the DVD player and
videocassette recorder.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05stat.html?8cir


5. What's Next: Radio Transmitters in Soccer Balls
==================================================

Microwave signals are at the heart of a high-tech system to
judge goals and penalties in soccer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05next.html?8cir


6. PC Cases: Escape From the Boring Beige
=========================================

Taking a cue from hot rodders, 'modders' turn their PC's
into highly stylized, one-of-a-kind machines.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05modd.html?8cir


7. Charity: Virtual Volunteers, Real Connections
================================================

'Virtual volunteering' uses the Web to make getting involved
in charitable causes more convenient.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05char.html?8cir


8. Online Diary: The URL of Sandwich
====================================

The Sandwich Project is ready for anyone seeking
inspiration. After you eat, try the Hoax Photo Test.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/05/technology/circuits/05diar.html?8cir




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