[OPLINTECH] OPLINTECH Digest, Vol 95, Issue 2

[Greg Syferd]

I agreed with Chad on this topic.  I'm a die hard Mac user, but in no way would I say they are the best tool for the job.  The majority of customers are going to be familiar with Windows and I don't see that changing any time soon.  Additionally, what's public service staff's ability to answer technical questions?  Are they comfortable with learning a new technology?

Tim, I think you were onto something with your original statement, which I would encourage you to further explore.  All systems have a cost of ownership associated with them.  That's something that should weigh heavily into your decision.

My experience has shown that *nix systems may not have a large capital cost.  However, they require expertise to stay on top of things, and there is constant volatility in the development community that could affect long term support of products.  Macs certainly have a larger capital investment, but you can get long life from them.  However, the cost of integration with other services is likely to be steep.  I think we all know about Windows and it's travails.

My advice, don't make a decision just based on maintenance, virus experiences, etc.  Whenever you insert a new tech into your environment, be sure you've analyzed all the other systems/services that could be impacted.

Good luck!

Greg.


On Sep 16, 2013, at 9:24 AM, Chad Neeper <cneeper at level9networks.com<mailto:cneeper at level9networks.com>> wrote:

First and foremost, while *nix is generally more hardened than Windows, don't think "virus-free" is a correct or safe assertion. ...for either Apple devices or GNU/Linux devices. *nix-based devices can be attacked just as Windows-based devices are. It's simply economies of scale and cost/benefit. As *nix devices become more prevalent, they become more and more of an attractive target. We're already starting to see that in android (which is based on a Linux kernel, which is a variant of GNU, which could be thought of as a FOSS version of Unix). We've also seen it on the Apple OS X platforms (based upon Unix). So always take appropriate measures!

That being said, I'm also using free open source Linux-based platforms where I can get away with it:  back-end servers (file/http/ftp/mail/etc servers), network perimeter firewalls, and single-purpose kiosk-type computers (web kiosk/catalog-only computers).  For the most part, though, the user-facing computers still remain Windows-based computers. Windows is what the staff/patrons/schools/community still seem to want the most from the libraries I work with. I'd be happy to put more Linux-based user-facing computers in, but we just don't quite seem to be there yet, on a wider scale.

2 cents,
Chad



______________________________
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools


On Fri, Sep 13, 2013 at 7:02 PM, Tim Burns <tim.burns at birchard.lib.oh.us<mailto:tim.burns at birchard.lib.oh.us>> wrote:
Dear Braintrust,

Are there any OPLIN libraries that have moved away from (or not been there to start with) Microsoft Windows? In light of the virus-free MacOS, and inexpensive Linux and derivatives, it would make sense to give consideration.  (At a Clevnet Tech meeting -- folks (Wayne County I think) were explaining some of the linux kiosk software and other utilities they use.)

Sincerely,
--

Tim Burns
Birchard Public Library

--
In Reply to:

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:15:18 -0400
From: "Fred Miller Jr. " <millerfr at oplin.org<mailto:millerfr at oplin.org>>


I have recently came across a dilemma that we are having with the staff
computers at our central library and the branches. Even though we let the
staff browse on the computers where they would like to we're still having
trouble with the staff computers becoming infected with spyware and viruses
with Microsft Security Esstentials installed. I know this is a good free
antivirus, but it isn't doing the job anymore. Currently I have Trend Micro
Worry-Free Business Standard Security at my residence and have no problems
at all. Was wondering what all of the other IT people are setting up on
their staff computers to keep them clean?

   As a side note, our wishlist is going to be due to try to get extra
equipment for the libraries. Was wondering what printers and wireless
routers people have gotten to upgrade theirs recently. Currently we just
have Cisco Linksys WRT54G which has a very poor coverage and distance from
main unit is pitiful. Just want to say thanks for all the feedback given for
this and have a great weekend.

Thanks again,

Fred Miller Jr



_______________________________________________
OPLINTECH mailing list
OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>
http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
Search: http://oplin.org/techsearch


_______________________________________________
OPLINTECH mailing list
OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org<mailto:OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>
http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
Search: http://oplin.org/techsearch

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplintech/attachments/20130916/cc063232/attachment.html>