[PLUG-TALK] linux vs windows : google foo

[Galen Seitz]

Richard Powell wrote:
...
> Unfortunately, about half of our computers only have 256MB of RAM, and the
> other half have 512MB of RAM.  They barely function with XP as it is. 
>>From my perspecitive, every single computer needs an upgrade to 1GB to be
> Vista ready.
> 
> Right now I could probably make a persuasive argument for upgrading RAM on
> all systems simply based on the amount of time employee's will save while
> logging in and starting up applications.
> 

Why not turn them into diskless clients.

> One leading factor that I can't ignore is that the majority of our
> computers basically serve as souped up dumb terminals.  They support
> telnet, web browsing, file sharing, and printing.  If there were a ton of
> 3rd party applications on them, I probably wouldn't be considering it as
> seriously as I am.

As Rich mentioned, this sounds made to order for LTSP or similar 
thin-client solutions.  Maintain one or two servers, rather than 
maintaining multiple clients.  Reduce the problem from N * 
backup/security fix/app install to 1 * ...

> One luxury that I have that others may not have, is that we have many
> shared computers, and people are constantly switching computers throughout
> the day on the sales floor.  I could easily install one Linux desktop,
> configure it to work really fast/efficiently, then train some of the sales
> staff how to use it.  This would at least be a good way to see what
> peoples initial impressions are with it, and also to uncover potential
> problems with the system.  Call it a research project.  :)

If your users are used to switching computers, that also suggests 
LTSP.  They would get the same environment no matter which machine 
they use.

galen