Are there any issues to be concerned with desktop Linux deployment ?
I am in the process of promoting Ubuntu Linux for desktop computer users. I am concerned with the availablity of drivers for many of the external units that most people wish to connect to their PCs.
Is this an issue to be concerned with before progressing ?.
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ASKED:
November 19, 2007 3:08 PM
UPDATED:
April 2, 2008 1:21 PM
Answer Wiki:
I have just rolled out Ubuntu on Dell Dimension 2400 to 20 users. We had no issues with drivers and they can be found all over the net. My only suggestion for you would be to load up one machine how you want it and test the hell out of it.
Once you are satisfied and only then should you deploy to end users.
What are your specific concerns?
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Don’t forget about your customers/clients.
One constraint we have is customer requirements. We need to delivery them in MS Office
formats. We usually do upgrade just to be consistent with our customer.
definately make sure you get a list of all software programs that they use and see if you can find versions that will run on the OS you are moving to. that will be your greatest problem.
If you are moving to desktop Linux but have certain legacy Windows apps that you can’t replace with open-source alternatives, you can set up a Windows terminal server box, then access the programs you need from your linux desktop with a terminal-server client.
Another way, if you need access to Windows legacy applications is to set up a virtual Windows server. This can be on each computer as long as there is the disk space. It has eliminated the Linux verses Windows constraints.
You may have problems connecting a palm pilot, blackberry, or Windows mobile device to an Ubuntu System. I recommend that you keep at least 2 windows laptops around, just to load the occasional software item to those devices.