The Whole Linux Thing
By Randy Whitted for TechWeb, CMPnet
As a Macintosh user like many of you, I wondered, why use Linux when I have the Mac OS?
Despite the recent fever-pitch hype surrounding Linux, it will not replace the Mac OS. So, exactly why should you care about Linux? Because Linux running on your server may very well be the thing that lets you keep using your Mac at work.
The computing masses, including Mac users, have seen Microsoft's vision of the future, and they don't want it. No one's saying they necessarily want the current Linux solution either. Still, the promise of a Microsoft alternative, such as Linux or Apple's Mac OS X server with an army of iMacs connected to it, all sound better than yearly licensing fees for Windows, consistently buggy upgrades, and bloated applications that come from Redmond, Wash.
Linux is an anomaly. It's a free, open source OS in constant development. It's small, powerful, and flexible, and it runs well on a variety of systems (from handheld devices to servers to old 386s). Undeniably, part of its appeal is it's not Windows NT.
Linux networks Macs, Windows boxes, Unix variants, and other Linux clients. In fact, Linux is a faster Windows file server than NT, and a far better Web server.
"Undeniably, part of its appeal is it's not Windows NT."
Even if you're in a Mac-only network (lucky you!), Linux for PowerMacs is promising as a server, and ports are under way to bring Linux to old 68K-based Macs. Can you imagine the possibilities? That old Centris 650 serving your new G3 PowerMacs? Talk about lifespan. And what amazes me is, in a Linux office, any one client machine can also be used as a server.
Open source means if you're technically savvy, you can download Linux off the Internet and install it free and customize it for your specific needs. Support is ad hoc and is most often handled via Linux forums on the Internet by whoever has time for your questions.
Alternatively, there are prepackaged Linux solutions, which often include support. Mac users can buy LinuxPPC for PowerMacs and MKLinux, though that is changing, too. Yellow Dog Linux is also making inroads, and others are sure to come along.
Linux is interesting as a server OS, but as a daily-use OS, it needs more work. I've been using LinuxPPC with ApplixWare, a suite of productivity software, for a few weeks now, though not consistently. At first, I had trouble getting my PowerMac running Linux to recognize and stay on our Novell network. Our very experienced systems administrator had to install it for me.
It was impressive when it was up, but without a consistent Internet connection, there wasn't much I could do. ApplixWare was impressive, but it did not always recognize my floppy drive, so using the program's new Microsoft Word file-import feature was a struggle. The optional KDE GUI that shields users having to use the command line took a bit of getting used to, but was pleasant.
The Future Of Linux
In general, Linux has a way to go, but it's progressing very quickly. Companies like Caldera Systems are working on complete business solutions, while RedHat seems focused on packaging Linux for consumers. All these developers, including LinuxPPC, are getting support from big names like IBM and Sun, and the future looks good.
Installation is a big deterrent for many, but Caldera's new installer, shown this week at LinuxWorld, aims to streamline that process. Networking needs to be easier, as well, and results of working on making Linux a good networking citizen are likely to be seen later this year.
Still, one very important question remains. What about games? Video drivers for Linux are as much of a hassle, if not more, than a PC. But they're worth dealing with. Quake has been available for Linux for a while, and development of Civilization 3 is well under way -- before the Mac post. Linux will be a very good gaming platform based on the potential of its inherent speed. |
