Linux in Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 6 - Ubuntu

In case you have not followed this series of articles on the Linux
desktop (see Resources for Parts 1-5), we have been discussing the
suitability of different distributions for enterprise use. So far, we have
covered the Xandros Business Edition, Novell's Linux Desktop, Red Hat's
Enterprise Desktop, Sun's Java Desktop System and Linspire. We evaluated
those claiming to be ready for enterprise deployment against a set
of modified criteria originating from Bernard Golden's
Succeeding
with Open Source and the Open Source Maturity Model.
Specifically, we asked the following questions:

• What kind of support organization does the desktop distribution have
  related to users? If a user runs into a problem, can she or he contact someone
  for help? How, over the phone or by e-mail? How big is the desktop
  distribution's support organization? Does the company out-source its
  support?
• Does the desktop distribution have a professional services
  organization? If someone wants to buy a large number of desktops, how
  would the desktop distribution handle a big order?
• Does the desktop distribution offers documentation for
  the user>? How about technical documentation; is there anything for the
  administrator?
• What kind of solution-provider ecosystem exists? Does the desktop
  distribution have resellers? How robust is that reseller
  organization?
• What is the desktop distribution's server strategy? Does the company
  provide back office functionality and identity management?
• What tools exist for rolling out and managing the
  desktops?
• Does the company offer on-site training?
• How can administrators and help-desk people learn to provide desk-side
  support in their own companies? Does curriculum exist?

In addition, we wanted to know if the distribution has an active
community of interest. Could users go to a forum or a mailing list to
find answers or workarounds to common problems?

The first four articles in the series dealt with organizations that
claimed they had a place in large enterprises, including governments, global
telephone companies, manufacturers, health care companies and colleges,
universities and schools. If their claims are valid, a CIO then could
look at our criteria and evaluate the distribution's suitability for his
or her company's needs.

Last week we covered Michael Robertson's Linspire Linux distribution. We
said emphatically that Linspire did not claim enterprise suitability. So,
we stressed the need for an organization to use an on-site Linux
system administrator if it wanted to deploy that distribution in
the enterprise.

This week, I turned my attention to Ubuntu. Ubuntu software also does not
claim to be suitable for big government or big enterprise needs, but it
does claim to be a desktop suitable for use in numerous contexts. In the United States,
a vicious vendor lobby would attack Ubuntu and establish a bias against
it. CIOs would avoid the use of Ubuntu, out of an unwillingness to go
beyond initial impressions even though the software merits attention.

Although such a bias often proves unfair, CIOs of American organizations
have proven to be more cautious about using open-source software than
are their counterparts in other parts of the world. The scope of CIOs in US
Federal government also is limited by procurement protocols as well as
by Microsoft's Windows lobbyists.

For the rest of the world's governments as well as for schools, emerging
businesses and the established Linux user population, Ubuntu recaptures
the excitement of open-source innovation. It provides a remarkably
stable environment, and it takes from the best of open source and works for
new users as well as for veterans.

While other distributions can cost upwards of $250 for a single desktop,
Ubuntu comes free of charge. The company even mails copies to people
without asking for shipping and handling reimbursements. One might ask,
then, "what's the gimmick?"
Readers Meet Ubuntu
If a reader asks, "what's the gimmick?", that question might be proof
that he or she lives in an enculturated world, where everyone seems to have a gimmick.
History has shown us, however, rare cases of individuals who discovered that giving
provided a greater reward than did accumulating. As for Ubuntu, the
Ubuntu Linux Web site
provides a clue to it motivations:

"Ubuntu" is an ancient African word meaning "humanity to others". Ubuntu
also means "I am what I am because of who we all are". The Ubuntu
Linux distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.

You should visit the distribution's Web site in order to learn more
about Ubuntu's philosophy. If you do not, though, you still should
know that:

Ubuntu is suitable for both desktop and server use. The current Ubuntu
release supports Intel x86 (IBM-compatible PC), AMD64 (Hammer) and PowerPC
(Apple iBook and Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures.

Ubuntu includes more than 1,000 pieces of software, starting with the
Linux kernel version 2.6 and GNOME 2.10, and covering every standard
desktop application from word processing and spreadsheet applications
to internet access applications, web server software, email software,
programming languages and tools and of course several games.

In less than a year since the initial release, Ubuntu has become the
top-ranked Linux distribution by Distrowatch. Considering that the
first release of Ubuntu occurred on October 10, 2004, one has to see
Ubuntu as one of those rare instant successes.
Where Does Ubuntu Fit?
In the United States, Ubuntu fits what some self-appointed gurus call
the hobbyist market. Those of us familiar with Linux find Ubuntu an
acceptable, refreshing and long-awaited version of our favorite operating
system. It's not a clone of Microsoft Windows, so users do not see fancy
splash screens on boot-up. Instead, users see Linux booting up. Users also
find a cleverly modified desktop that uses native GNOME icons and toolbars. It
fits Linux guys needs and preferences like a glove.

In addition, Ubuntu works in the home market, where it fits in with other
operating systems, including Mac and Windows. Experienced
Linux users should find that Ubuntu also is a nice fit for laptops, especially older
ones. You can bring your laptop home and become part of the home network
with wireless or wired connectivity.

If you have a Linux system administrator or a contractor on staff,
Ubuntu also works in small- to medium-sized business environments. Municipal
governments, schools, government-sponsored agencies, call centers and so
on should find Ubuntu to be a suitable platform. This distribution provides
large repositories of applications for users to download. The developers
thoughtfully gave Ubuntu the advantage of having to turn on the repositories.
Figure 1. Configuring the Synaptic Package
Manager
With Ubuntu, the package manager restricts access to two large
repositories, Universe and Multiverse. In Figure 1, you can see that the
restricted repositories can be added easily by the administrator. One
simply checks the boxes to the left of the Community Maintained and
Non-Free selections. Otherwise, the user has a limit on the applications
available to him or her.

In Figure 2, you can see a screenshot of the Add/Remove Programs (the Synaptic
Package Manager) the user sees if Universe and Multiverse have not become
part of the users choices.
Figure 2. Add/Remove Programs Screen from
Applications/System Tools Menu
Overall, the restrictions on a user's ability to download programs gives more
control to the system administrator.

For users who install and configure their own Ubuntu workstations,
they can access configuration tools by setting up the administrator's
password. This provides a compromise for the consumer market and the
enterprise.

Now, let's continue our discussion of where Ubuntu fits. In addition to
the markets discussed above, Ubuntu fits enterprises in emerging nations
around the globe. The global market should have less of a knee-jerk reaction
to the African name of the distribution than some Americans might have.

Eventually, Ubuntu should appeal to the market segment beyond the
innovator/early adopter class we discussed in Part 5 (see Resources) and
also appeal to mainstream users in the US. If a company called Yahoo can
gain acceptance in the starched-shirt world of Wall Street, Ubuntu
likewise can become acceptable to a vast number of users looking for a
fun Linux distribution.
My Thoughts
A friend suggested Ubuntu to me several months ago at a Linux users
group (LUG) meeting. I did not take advantage of the opportunity to try
the distribution at that time. However, I did listen to my friend's
description of Ubuntu, and based on his enthusiastic manner of speaking,
I later downloaded and tried it.

The Ubuntu distribution uses Debian as its base, as does Xandros and
Linspire. Debian-based distributions have not impressed me in the
past. However, Ubuntu combines the stability of Debian with the leading-edge
features of RPM-based distributions such as JDS, Red Hat and SUSE.
Therefore, I see Ubuntu as the best of both worlds.

I put the distribution through some tough tests and found that I had to
do less customizing with this desktop than any of the others I have
tested. Figure 3 is a screenshot of
CrossOver
Office 4.2 installing a Win32 application I find useful.
Figure 3. Installing WinSCP with Codeweavers CrossOver
Office 4.2
The installation of CrossOver Office went smoothly. I installed it from
the command line with a simple dpkg -i command,
after which the Crossover menu came up without a problem.

Although I have access to any pricey distribution I want, I have started using Ubuntu
as my standard desktop. I installed
Skype and several other programs I
use regularly. Overall, this distro performs well.

Part of my work day involves using a Linux desktop as a window manager
on which I can open multiple terminals and use the command line. Ubuntu
allows me to use multiple desktop workspaces correctly. I can switch
between virtual workspaces without having to see every application open
on the system.

At other times, I use OpenOffice.org's word processor, The GIMP, Evolution
and Firefox. For all of these, Ubuntu opens applications quickly and has
a pleasing look and feel. It fits my needs as writer and author.

As a system administrator, I would deploy and use Ubuntu. Although the
enterprise tools I have written about in past articles are not
yet available for Ubuntu, they will arrive in the near future. Ubuntu's
sponsor,
Canonical Ltd., has the
necessary funding and a history of succeeding quickly and efficiently.

I anticipate that Ubuntu will become the mainstream Linux distribution
globally. As the saying goes, though, only time will tell. However, if
you do your due diligence on the company, the sponsor, the spirit of
innovation and success of the Ubuntu people, you probably will come to the
same conclusion. All the elements have gone into play for rapid success.
As they say in my part of the country, this dog can hunt. In addition,
it can point and win a show or two if need be.
Resources
"Linux in
Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 5 - Linspire"

"Linux in
Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 4 - JDS"

"Linux in
Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 3 - Red Hat Enterprise
Linux"

"Linux in
Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 2 - Novell Linux
Desktop"

"Linux in
Government: Linux Desktop Reviews, Part 1 - Xandros Business
Edition"

Tom Adelstein works as an Analyst with Hiser+Adelstein,
headquartered in New York City. He's the co-author of the book
Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop and author of an
upcoming book on Linux system administration, to be published by O'Reilly
and Associates. Tom has been consulting and writing articles and books
about Linux since early 1999.