[KLUG Members] Sun gets order for up to a million linux desktops

[Adam Williams]

> >>>Here's the link:> >
> >>>http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5108336.html
> >>This doesn't seem to be so much desktop linux as a Java terminal running 
> >>on Linux backend servers.
> >http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/
> >http://wwws.sun.com/software/products/screenshot.html?img=/software/images/products/I1_mercury_lg.jpg&alt=Java%20Desktop%20System%20screenshot
> >It is - a dressed up GNOME desktop.  They've added their own connector, GNOME
> >theme to Java widgets.  I met a guy who had a beta,  very sweet.
> >http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/faq.html#2q0 -
> >A. The major software components are as follows:
> >* GNOME 2.2 Desktop, with some 2.4-based modifications
> >* Mozilla 1.4 Web browser
> >* Evolution 1.4 e-mail, calendar, address book, and task list client (with a
> >connector for the Sun Java System Calendar Server (formerly Sun ONE Calendar
> >Server))
> >* StarOffice 7 Office Suite
> >* Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition, 1.4.2 (with support for GNOME Look & Feel)
> >* Linux OS
> ah, I got distracted with all the talk in the article of using remote 
> devices for access that I didn't look into things in more detail. Thanks 
> for the info.

Yea, it appears you can use some kind of smart card to acquire a
Kerberos ticket (rather then entering a username/password).  Big deal.  
There is a PAM module for supporting smartcard/USB sticks/etc... for
acquiring credentials from the user - you can install it on just about
anything.  SuSe/RedHat/Solaris all use PAM.  Derrr!!  I don't see why
the article choose to emphasize that;  maybe the author just doesn't
really get what the whole thing is abuout.

Sun, of course, calls it a "Java Card!". 

Can I use it at the local Starbucks for a discount on latte?  Thats my
question.