Practical Technology

for practical people.

July 1, 2008
by sjvn01
1 Comment

Best Practices for using Open-Source Software

When faced with using open-source software in your company should your first reaction be:

1 )Run in terror.
2) Pick up and cuddle your stuffed Steve Ballmer doll while shouting “No!”
3) Refuse to even consider it
4) Deal with it.

Even if you think open source is the dumbest idea to hit IT since Microsoft Bob, number four is your only real choice.

There was a time when SCO and Microsoft could pull the FUD over some people’s eyes and convince them that using open-source software would be leaving your company open to lawsuits or that the only support you’d ever get for your open-source software would be someone who looked like he’d been playing Jesus in a third-rate road show of Godspell. Those days are long gone.

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June 30, 2008
by sjvn01
13 Comments

Surprise Desktop Linux Move: Xandros Buys Linspire

Practical Technology has learned from several sources that Linspire, the San Diego, Calif-based Linux distributor is being bought out by Xandros, the Canadian desktop Linux vendor.

In an announcement that was sent out today, June 30, to Linspire stockholders, CEO Larry Kettler wrote that the stockholders had decided to sell all of Linspire’s assets. This deal specifically includes Linspire, Freespire, and the company’s distribution agnostic CNR (Click ‘N Run) desktop installation platform.

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June 29, 2008
by sjvn01
3 Comments

Avoiding Server 2008 Password Troubles

I was setting up Windows Server 2008 on a test system today to get a better grip on Microsoft’s just released Hyper-V virtualization when I ran into a completely unexpected problem: I couldn’t set up the system’s initial password

I expected to have some trouble integrating Server 2008 into my network. My LAN, while it used AD (Active Directory), relies on Samba and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) so I expected to have some trouble with, at a minimum, some authentication issues. And, indeed, I did run into that kind of problem, but first I had to get logged into my server. This is not a problem I ever expected to have with a modern operating system.

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June 27, 2008
by sjvn01
1 Comment

A Print Server to Avoid: the Linksys WPS54GU2

Generally speaking for consumer/SMB grade network equipment, I swear by Linksys hardware. I’ve been using he Linksys WRT54G family of access points since 2002 ever since Linksys open-sourced the firmware for many WRT54G models and they’ve never let me down. But, then there’s the Linksys print servers. If I had met these devices first, I’d be swearing at Linksys and using D-Link, Netgear, heck, anyone’s else equipment.

What’s really ticked me off is the Linksys WPS54GU2 Wireless-G Print Server for USB 2.0. All I wanted was a simple print -server for my wife’s upstairs studio. What I got was one of the most annoying network devices I’d ever worked with.

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June 27, 2008
by sjvn01
0 comments

Using Vista instead of XP is dumb

Far be it for me to disagree with my esteemed colleague Robert Mitchell that XP downgrade are dumb but ah… eh… gosh, Mitchell you are so wrong on this one!

Sure, I agree, boy do I agree, that if users dislike Windows they should move to desktop Linux or Mac OS X, but I’m also realistic enough to know that many of them won’t do it. Microsoft’s mind-control ray is finally weakening, but I know darn well that most people would still use a Windows machines even if you put – sob! — that Rolls Royce of latops, the Mac Air into their hands.

So while I certainly think that would-be business Windows PC buyers should check out say the Lenovo R61 ThinkPad with SLED (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop) 10 SP1, I know darn well most of them will still buy a Windows powered PC.

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