New versions of Linux distributions are churned out at a remarkable pace.
Not only are new distros popping up all the time, but updates to existing distros are always up and coming as well.
For the seasoned Linux browser, it's a terrific thing to go cruising the boardwalk, looking into the various and sundry Linux distro shops. Seeing the newest, fresh roasted, hot and steaming ISO's placed ever so artfully in the windows.
See the ever improving, artful and quasi-commercially done artwork on the GRUB splash and boot images.
We meet our Linux friends in sidewalk 'cafes' to chat and compare notes on our favorites. Point out the latest, greatest improvements to catch our eye and chatter wildly at the thought of new potential.
Which is the newest "best of the bunch"? Who is this months media darling? Is there a scandal happening with the community in that distro? Is a Developer talking wildly at another?
We walk warily past others wearing their distro's colors, wearing shirts with unflattering comments, perhaps about our own personal favorite.
You see the younger, immature kids sprinting impishly with spray cans, daring each other to deface one of the "big distros" shops with the design or logo of an upstart rebel distro.
Look at the fans, crowding around the unexpected celebrity developer . See the shine in their eyes, hoping to hear the scathing words he might have for someone else.
The constant circle of bloggers who surround the Kings and stars of the moment, buzzing like insane flies.
As we step off to the side for a moment of air, to regain our composure and wits, escape the intoxicating press of novelty and techno-baubles that seem to overwhelm us from time to time.
We can see the oft cited Bazaar and Flea Market at opposite distances, polar ends in between which the boardwalk sits and entices casual explorers and seekers of something different to their open air cafes and well dressed rest areas.
As always, the well learned observer knows the truth , the real quality doesn't lay at either end of the boardwalk or always in the poshest shops, but true gems can be found by browsing the peddlers carts and stands as you walk from place to place. Looking over the small artisans areas, where time and passion have shaped their offerings to unique and clever forms.
Yes, we all know that we can return to the city and the big box mart where the big boxed sets will be always available and always at a "special" price, if you know the right person or have the best contacts.
But, walk once in awhile to the outer places, the different spaces where you are free to experience the range of feelings of freedom. Take in deep gasps of fresh air that hasn't been recycled or deodorized, sanitized and pressurized to fit in a convenient casing.
The best part is, you don't even have to buy anything. Almost all of the vendors and shops you pass by will give their treasures and crafted works for the price of stopping to visit. For reaching your hand in and taking the opportunity to explore and see what more is out there.
For most of these shopkeepers, money is helpful, but not nearly as precious as knowing they might have sparked something in someone. Something they poured their hard work and exhaustive learning into that will bring someone back again, perhaps to ask questions or even bring a friend. Sometimes, they come back and get so caught up in things they pull up a chair and start to add their own little bit to the vendors product. Even possibly making it more interesting and adding yet another dimension to it than even before.
The boardwalk is never quiet, no it isn't. it is always bustling and teeming with life. Take a stroll and see the sights.
You may never shop the box mart again.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
What does it take to support Opensource and Linux
Let's walk on the support side of the software world for a moment.
There is a lot of talk, postulating and plain old FUD about what support is and should be in the FOSS world.
Of course, we can break the topic into separate areas of discussion.
Commercial Support: Usually a subscription based opportunity provided by the distro or software provider themselves. Fees are involved and often based on per-user basis.
Third Party: Could be any local business or person that sells support services based on the distribution and software they have chosen to focus on. Also fee based. Both on subscription per-user and per-instance.
Community: This is the information and support provided by Linux Community distributions and software providers. This is offered mostly through access to Wiki's, forums and mailing lists. Most often access to these venues is free or no cost, but some are accessible through a subscription fee to the service.
Local: These are your in house staff who are already providing support for your business or group or in your own house. These people are employed by your business or maybe just a community volunteer. A neighbor or family member could even fit the bill. Most of their capabilities depend on the training and experience they have achieved individually. Cost depends on the relationship one has with them.
These areas and types of support are not necessarily stand alone solutions. in fact, They interact quite a bit.
if you are a local support provider and you have been employed by a business, it is likely that you will rely not only on the education you went through and the on the job experience you have accumulated. you will also have learned to make use of Community solutions and Commercial ones as well.
Depending on the distribution and software being used in the environment you are working in, you will likely pay for access to the fee or subscription based support outlets on your own, or ask to be recompensed for them. Perhaps the organization you are employed or contracted by pays for all the commercial and third party access you will need already.
More often than not, the vast majority of information one might need to do almost anything is available somewhere in the Free, Community landscape. To obtain it though, requires a bit of elbow grease and perseverance. You will have to spend time tracking down through internet and forum sesarches various posts and articles related to your subject.
You will also find that there is often documentation provided by the software developers in the form of help or man pages. either way, it is sometimes time consuming and tedious, but you will usually find what you need.
In some cases, where time is limited and resources are slight, third party solution providers and Commercial providers have indexed and much more direct access to information that is needed. It will cost some money, but it can help fill in critical gaps of knowledge.
Sometimes, there is no better place to get help than from those who wrote or developed the software. The commercial support resources from a distributor or developer can get accurate information fast. Again, this is going to cost money. It depends on the time frame, scale of the project and the environment you are working in to determine if using it is an acceptable avenue to go down.
I have seen people in support fields with an arms length of certifications and degrees turn out to know less than nothing and screw projects up royally. Then I have seen people with a basic education in support, maybe a one or two year degree, be a dynamic solution provider without all the badges and decorations. How does this happen?
Usually it occurs not because a person already has undergone a certain level of formal education, although having said formal education can be a tremendous starting point, it is more about caring about what you do. if the highly educated person doesn't really love the field they are in or has a bad attitude about working with people they are likely to not invest themselves, their time or their energy into doing the best job all the time. This can really bring the opinion the public has of highly educated support people down.
Often the guy or gal we meet with less formal education but does a bang up job anyway does so because they have learned to maximize their resources and how to find the information they need that they might have otherwise gotten in a more advanced formal education. It is due to their sheer drive and interest to provide such great results.
When people of either background love their field and are good natured toward the people they work with and for, the result is often outstanding performance and service.
Anyway, back on track.
When implementing Linux and other Open Source solutions, these are things to consider in the planning stages.
Where will I get support?
How much am I willing to pay for it?
What specialized software will I be using that might require paid support?
Will I be doing support in-house or will I need to outsource it to a third party provider?
Regardless of the Operating System or software you end up using, support is a question area everyone has to have answers for. It will be one of the biggest impacts on the environment you are in both in terms of productivity and financially.
There is a lot of talk, postulating and plain old FUD about what support is and should be in the FOSS world.
Of course, we can break the topic into separate areas of discussion.
Commercial Support: Usually a subscription based opportunity provided by the distro or software provider themselves. Fees are involved and often based on per-user basis.
Third Party: Could be any local business or person that sells support services based on the distribution and software they have chosen to focus on. Also fee based. Both on subscription per-user and per-instance.
Community: This is the information and support provided by Linux Community distributions and software providers. This is offered mostly through access to Wiki's, forums and mailing lists. Most often access to these venues is free or no cost, but some are accessible through a subscription fee to the service.
Local: These are your in house staff who are already providing support for your business or group or in your own house. These people are employed by your business or maybe just a community volunteer. A neighbor or family member could even fit the bill. Most of their capabilities depend on the training and experience they have achieved individually. Cost depends on the relationship one has with them.
These areas and types of support are not necessarily stand alone solutions. in fact, They interact quite a bit.
if you are a local support provider and you have been employed by a business, it is likely that you will rely not only on the education you went through and the on the job experience you have accumulated. you will also have learned to make use of Community solutions and Commercial ones as well.
Depending on the distribution and software being used in the environment you are working in, you will likely pay for access to the fee or subscription based support outlets on your own, or ask to be recompensed for them. Perhaps the organization you are employed or contracted by pays for all the commercial and third party access you will need already.
More often than not, the vast majority of information one might need to do almost anything is available somewhere in the Free, Community landscape. To obtain it though, requires a bit of elbow grease and perseverance. You will have to spend time tracking down through internet and forum sesarches various posts and articles related to your subject.
You will also find that there is often documentation provided by the software developers in the form of help or man pages. either way, it is sometimes time consuming and tedious, but you will usually find what you need.
In some cases, where time is limited and resources are slight, third party solution providers and Commercial providers have indexed and much more direct access to information that is needed. It will cost some money, but it can help fill in critical gaps of knowledge.
Sometimes, there is no better place to get help than from those who wrote or developed the software. The commercial support resources from a distributor or developer can get accurate information fast. Again, this is going to cost money. It depends on the time frame, scale of the project and the environment you are working in to determine if using it is an acceptable avenue to go down.
I have seen people in support fields with an arms length of certifications and degrees turn out to know less than nothing and screw projects up royally. Then I have seen people with a basic education in support, maybe a one or two year degree, be a dynamic solution provider without all the badges and decorations. How does this happen?
Usually it occurs not because a person already has undergone a certain level of formal education, although having said formal education can be a tremendous starting point, it is more about caring about what you do. if the highly educated person doesn't really love the field they are in or has a bad attitude about working with people they are likely to not invest themselves, their time or their energy into doing the best job all the time. This can really bring the opinion the public has of highly educated support people down.
Often the guy or gal we meet with less formal education but does a bang up job anyway does so because they have learned to maximize their resources and how to find the information they need that they might have otherwise gotten in a more advanced formal education. It is due to their sheer drive and interest to provide such great results.
When people of either background love their field and are good natured toward the people they work with and for, the result is often outstanding performance and service.
Anyway, back on track.
When implementing Linux and other Open Source solutions, these are things to consider in the planning stages.
Where will I get support?
How much am I willing to pay for it?
What specialized software will I be using that might require paid support?
Will I be doing support in-house or will I need to outsource it to a third party provider?
Regardless of the Operating System or software you end up using, support is a question area everyone has to have answers for. It will be one of the biggest impacts on the environment you are in both in terms of productivity and financially.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A tip of the hat to Linux's European friends
Europe is giving Linux and Open Source a hand.
It's true. Because of the "No Patents" position of the EU, Microsoft has been forced to back up a few steps. As a matter of fact, MS has been told they have to share. Grudgingly, they have been.
Of course, They go fighting it tooth and nail, kicking and screaming Never without a court order and usually heavy fines to encourage them, but they are indeed sharing.
How has this helped Linux and OpenSource? One way is with SAMBA.
The SAMBA project alone has benefited tremendously from the forced interaction. They have been better able to incorporate features and functionality that was difficult, if not outright impossible, without the information from MS.
Because of that, future versions of SAMBA will allow Linux to be much more inter-operable with and in a mixed network. This increases the productivity capabilities of Linux.
This access to MS information would not have been possible without the EU's position and subsequent actions.
European governments have been giving Linux the earliest and strongest outreach of support. You will find quite a few articles proclaiming the benefits reaped by European government agencies in their move to Linux in some form.
For example, France has adopted Linux almost wholeheartedly. The news of the ways they are adopting Linux in their government offices and at almost all levels has made international news several times.
Other national governments and cities, municipalities, etc.. have made headlines by adopting Linux. Yes, some have made news by switching back and forth from Windows to Linux, back to Windows again, but no matter the turn out, Linux has been brought to the international spotlight time and again by Europe.
Think of it this way, the guy who brought Linux to us is himself from Europe. True, he now lives in the U.S., but he was born, raised and was educated across the pond.
Suse Linux, originally came to us by way of Germany, which is in, you guessed it, Europe.
Mandriva, formerly Mandrake, is a distro that originated in and still is based in France. Which is, the last time I checked, in Europe.
Ubuntu,by Canonical, though described and labeled in 'African' terms, has it's offices and core team based in London, a city in England, which is, that's right, in Europe.
There is no way I can touch in one article how many ways Europe impacts Linux in a positive way. I also don't want to give the impression that only Europe has been a supporter and benefactor to Linux as a whole. This one article is just to give proper credit where it is due.
Europe and it's people have made and continue to make a tremendous contribution to Open Source and Linux.
I just wanted to say thanks.
It's true. Because of the "No Patents" position of the EU, Microsoft has been forced to back up a few steps. As a matter of fact, MS has been told they have to share. Grudgingly, they have been.
Of course, They go fighting it tooth and nail, kicking and screaming Never without a court order and usually heavy fines to encourage them, but they are indeed sharing.
How has this helped Linux and OpenSource? One way is with SAMBA.
The SAMBA project alone has benefited tremendously from the forced interaction. They have been better able to incorporate features and functionality that was difficult, if not outright impossible, without the information from MS.
Because of that, future versions of SAMBA will allow Linux to be much more inter-operable with and in a mixed network. This increases the productivity capabilities of Linux.
This access to MS information would not have been possible without the EU's position and subsequent actions.
European governments have been giving Linux the earliest and strongest outreach of support. You will find quite a few articles proclaiming the benefits reaped by European government agencies in their move to Linux in some form.
For example, France has adopted Linux almost wholeheartedly. The news of the ways they are adopting Linux in their government offices and at almost all levels has made international news several times.
Other national governments and cities, municipalities, etc.. have made headlines by adopting Linux. Yes, some have made news by switching back and forth from Windows to Linux, back to Windows again, but no matter the turn out, Linux has been brought to the international spotlight time and again by Europe.
Think of it this way, the guy who brought Linux to us is himself from Europe. True, he now lives in the U.S., but he was born, raised and was educated across the pond.
Suse Linux, originally came to us by way of Germany, which is in, you guessed it, Europe.
Mandriva, formerly Mandrake, is a distro that originated in and still is based in France. Which is, the last time I checked, in Europe.
Ubuntu,by Canonical, though described and labeled in 'African' terms, has it's offices and core team based in London, a city in England, which is, that's right, in Europe.
There is no way I can touch in one article how many ways Europe impacts Linux in a positive way. I also don't want to give the impression that only Europe has been a supporter and benefactor to Linux as a whole. This one article is just to give proper credit where it is due.
Europe and it's people have made and continue to make a tremendous contribution to Open Source and Linux.
I just wanted to say thanks.
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