Regional Workshop on Capacity Building in Public Policy Issues of ...

F O S S F O S S in in

Business Development & SMEsBusiness Development & SMEs

Patrick D. ReidenbachPatrick D. ReidenbachUR Solutions, Inc.UR Solutions, Inc.

FOSS in Business Development & SMEs

F ree and/orO penS ourceS oftware


Part I: A short background on Linux and Open Source software


What is Linux?

Linux is an extremely superior OPERATING SYSTEM.

It is the most well-known example of Open Source software.


What's an Operating System?

● APPLICATIONS

Word® Word processor QuickBooks® Accounting Excel® Spreadsheet Netscape® Internet browser

● OPERATING SYSTEM

● HARDWARE PC Monitor Keyboard & mouse Modem printer


Well-known operating systems:

● Windows● DOS● Mac OS● OS/2● Symbian● Unix


● Developed in the 60's by AT&T Bell Labs.

● Used by large entities like Banks Government institutions Telephone companies Hospitals Universities

● But Unix needs huge, expensive computer equipment. Linux does not.

Linux is based on UNIX.


Why was UNIX widely used?

● Speed & Portability● Stability

Scalable - easy to upgrade, grow Reliable - must NOT crash Multi-user and Multi-tasking

● Security Authorized access only


"The Unix environment and the client-server program model were essential elements in the development of the Internet and the reshaping of computing as centered around networks rather than in individual computers.” - Wikipedia1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Free BSD

Net BSD

Open BSDBSD (Berkeley Software Distribution)

SunOS Solaris

NextStep MacOS X

Project GNU Minix GNU/Linux

HP-UX

AIX (IBM)

UnixWare

UNIX Time-Sharing System (Bell Labs)

What

is the

relevance

of Unix?


Unix and the GNU Free Software Project● Initiated by Richard Stallman in 1983.● Goal was to complete a Unix-like OS

composed entirely of free software.● Collaborated on by hundreds of Unix

programmers.● Paved the way for the Open Source movement.● GNU had most of the necessary components:

system libraries, compilers, text editors, a Unix shell --- all except for the core component, the kernel...


● GPL = Gnu General Public License● This is the license that often comes with Open

Source software. Others are HPL, BSD, etc.● Created by Stallman to address the need to

define the Terms and Conditions of creating, using and copying Open Source software.

● Clarifies the Legal Aspect of free and open source software.

● Full text is available for download at: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

What is the G.P.L?


Open Source Definition● Open Source Initiative (OSI) organized

by advocates including Eric S. Raymond

● For more info visit: http://opensource.org


Open Source Definition● Open Source Initiative (OSI) organized

by advocates including Eric S. Raymond

● Source Code or “recipe” is open or made public.

● Anyone may legally use, modify and/or redistribute it.

● Variants must also be Open Source because of GPL.

● If modification is adapted, then a new version emerges. If not, a fork branches out – with a different name.

● NOT ALL OPEN SOURCE IS FREE.


● Uses the collective intelligence of thousands of programmers worldwide -- “Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow.” - Eric S. Raymond

● Follows Darwinian Evolutionary model. --- The more people use a software, the better it gets!

Why Does Open Source Work?


● “The Cathedral and the Bazaar”

● http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/ cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/

Why Does Open Source Work?

http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/

http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/

The GNU/Linux Project


● A Finnish student named Linus Torvalds wanted a simplified version of Unix that could run on an ordinary 386 desktop PC.

● Torvalds created the kernel (or seed) and posted it on the Internet in 1992 to solicit help in improving it.

● Only a handful participated in the project at the beginning.

● They combined the kernel with GNU components and put together a stable, working operating system in a few months.



● By making the source-codes for Linux public (open source), Torvalds enabled other computer programmers to suggest improvements to the system.

● He also allowed companies to develop and sell Linux-based products. Linux slowly got better and better and appeared with more and more applications.

● There were a few hundred programmers participating in 1994 when version 1.0 was released.

● Now over 100,000 participants and dozens of distributions.




Linux Distributions

● Red Hat● Debian● Gentoo● Slackwar

e● Mandriv

a● Ubuntu● SuSE


Linux Distributions

1992 1994 1998 2002 2006

GNU/LINUX Ver 1.0 Ver 2.0 Ver 2.4 Ver 2.6

Slackware Ver 10Suse Novell/Suse

Debian

UbuntuGentoo

Red Hat Ver 7 Ver 9 RHEL

ConectivaMandrake Mandriva

CentOS

Fedora

"When all manifestations of Linux operating systems are counted, Linux is clearly a mainstream solution," Vernon Turner, IDC


● Slackware was one of the earliest Linux distributions, and is the oldest distribution still being maintained. It was created by Patrick Volkerding of Slackware Linux, Inc. It has a policy of incorporating only stable releases of applications, standing mainly for stability and simplicity. For a good while, other Linux distributions that came after it were in fact evaluated for their "Slackware compatibility". Suse Linux was spawned from Slackware.

● Debian: Known for its strict policies regarding the quality of its packages and releases, and for its open development and testing process. Easy upgrades between releases without rebooting and easy automated installation and removal of packages. Debian GNU/Linux is the basis for several other distributions, including Knoppix and Ubuntu.

● Gentoo Linux: A Linux distribution named after the Gentoo Penguin. It is designed to be modular, portable, easy to maintain, flexible, and optimized for the user's machine. This is accomplished by building all tools and utilities from source code, although, for convenience also available as precompiled for various architectures (via the Portage system). Gentoo is also appreciated for its discussion forums and the large knowledge base they represent.

Linux Distributions


●Red Hat Enterprise Linux: A Linux distribution produced by Red Hat and targeted toward the commercial market, including mainframes. Current versions (after ver. 9) are not anymore free. Some Red Hat variants and free versions:

* CentOS 4.3 - a freely available Linux distribution which is based on Red Hat's commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux product, and with which it aims to be 100% compatible. CentOS stands for Community ENTerprise Operating System.

* Fedora 4 – the open source community project sponsored by Red Hat, but not officially supported by it.

* Other distributions: Scientific Linux, StartCom Enterprise Linux, White Box Enterprise Linux and XOS

●Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux or Mandrake Linux, and an acquisition of Conectiva and Lycoris) is a distribution created by Mandriva (formerly Mandrakesoft). Has various products for servers, workstations, small businesses as well as individuals. Originally a Red Hat Linux variant optimized for Pentium-class CPUs, Mandriva Linux has since diverged to form its own distribution. While remaining entirely free software, Mandriva's business model adds further enterprise-class support and services, mainly through a subscription basis, as well as different release dates for individual members and non-members of their club.

Linux Distributions


Estimating GNU/Linux's Size, a 2001 study of Red Hat Linux version 7.1, found that this distribution contained

30 million source lines of code. The study estimated that this software required about eight thousand man-

years of development time. According to the study, if all this software had been developed by conventional

proprietary means, it would have cost about 1.08 billion dollars to develop in the United States.

The majority of the code (71%) was written in the C programming language, but many other languages were used. Slightly over half of all lines of code were licensed under the GPL. The Linux kernel was 2.4 million lines of

code, or 8% of the total.

Linux Distributions – Red Hat


Governments around the world that use Linux

● USA● France● Germany● Chile● Peru● China has its own distro called

Red Flag Linux


Questions?


Part II: Open Source and Business


● Netscape goes Open Source.● Digium creates Asterisk to help

market their hardware.● IBM, Dell and HP now package Linux OS with

their servers.● Sun Microsystems releases Open Solaris and

Open Office.● Oracle, Lotus now run on Linux.● Novell acquires SuSE Linux.

Open Source is Big Business


Open Source is Big Business● MySQL● Sugar CRM● Red Hat cash reserves hit US$ 1 B in 2004.● 70% of Internet servers use Linux – Google,

Amazon, Yahoo, eBay, etc. because of widely available and affordable LAMP technology.

● In 2005, IDC pegged Linux's global total take at just under $15 billion. But it will bring in more than $35 billion in revenues by 2008. -TechWeb Technology News


What are SME Concerns?● Poor IT infrastructure● Viruses, spam and other malware● Poor security● Lack of data and functionality● Expensive Software● Very aggressive Anti-piracy campaign

........But piracy is now obsolete!


Proprietary software costs money!

● How much an SME will spend on a simple 20- workstation office:

Operating System $200/PC Office Suite $500/PC File Server $1,000 + $40/PC Mail Server $1,600 + $80/PC

● TOTAL: $ 20,000 on software licenses only Not counting Installation costs Not counting required proprietary

applications Not counting Software Maintenance costs!


Open Source saves money!● How much would the same business spend

on a simple 20- workstation office using OPEN SOURCE:

Operating System $0 Office Suite $0 File Server $0 Mail Server $0

● Using Open Source is the legal alternative.● That $ 20,000 savings can go to purchase

better hardware, additional training, etc., etc.


Shift to Linux & Open Source!● It is ideal for SMEs.● Migration doesn't have

to be radical.● Existing software invested in

doesn't have to be junked.● Existing hardware can still

be used.● But one MUST PLAN carefully!


Why do IT projects fail?● Lack of planning and direction● Unrealistic expectations● Poor project management● Inadequate budget and management

support?


MAIL SERVER

external user(s)

INTERNET

Fujitsu

DataSWITCH

INTERNETMODEM

GATEWAYFIREWALL

FILE SERVER

APPLICATION SERVER

workstations

workstationworkstationworkstation workstation

Typical SME network


Shift to Linux & Open Source!● Stage 1: convert servers● Stage 2: install Open Office● Stage 3: convert workstations● Stage 4: implement open

source application


Reasons why SMEs don't use Open Source:● Lack of awareness● FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt● Can't or don't want to change

existing Windows-based applications

?


Options for a Vital Application that runs on Windows:

● It might run on Linux.● There may be an Open

Source equivalent.● You may use a Windows

emulator like VMWare, Wine or Crossover Office.

● Install a hybrid system.


Proprietary programs & their Linux or Open Source equivalents● MS Office (Word, Excel &

PowerPoint)

● MS Internet Explorer

● MS Outlook email

● MS Exchange

● ICQ® / MSN® Messenger / AIM / Yahoo!® Messenger

● Skype, RealPlayer for Windows

● Adobe Photoshop

● WinAmp

● WinZip

● MS SQL database

● Open Office (Write, Calc & Impress)

● Mozilla Firefox

● Kontact email

● Kolab groupware

● Kopete which is compatible to all those messenger

types.

● Skype, RealPlayer for Linux

● The Gimp

● Caffeine media player

● Ark

● MySQL


Some software that run on Windows and Linux:

● Mozilla and Netscape● Open Office● Sugar CRM● The Gimp● Asterisk PBX● Oracle & MySQL database● Most web-based software


● Our company needed to rationalize our software licenses.

● Cost was too high for proprietary software.

● We researched and trained on Linux.

● We realized it's advantages.● We saw a business opportunity.

How did we start out?


● UR Solutions are IT Consultants.● We help companies develop an IT

Plan.● We help plan the migration.● We provide support: training,

installation & maintenance.● We help to create a superior

and secure IT system.● Our services help save money.

How do we do business?


Questions?


Part III: Some examples of Open Source


Office Productivity Softwarefree as opposed to

proprietary

Open OfficeOpen Office®® Microsoft Office®

-Writer -Word®

-Calc -Excel®

-Impress -PowerPoint®

-fully compatible with MS Office, -only works with MS

Star Office, Lotus, PDF products

COST: $ 0 COST: ~ $500


Email Software

free as opposed to proprietary

PostfixPostfix MS Exchange®

-fully compatible with

MS Exchange -only works with MS . products

COST: $ 0 COST:$1600


Email Software plus


KontactKontact MS Outlook®

-scheduler -scheduler

-addressbook -addressbook

-task manager - -task manager -fully compatible with MS Exchange -works only with MS

Exchange

COST: $ 0 COST:$80/user


Accounting Software


SQL LedgerSQL Ledger®® QuickBooks©

-double-entry -double-entry

-multi-user -multi-user

-browser-based -must be installed in

every user's PC-SQL database -proprietary

COST: $ 0 COST:~$200++


free as opposed toL inux OSA pache web serverM ySQL® databaseP hp programming language

Software needed for a web-based application proprietary

WindowsIIS MS SQLVisual Basic


FUD = Fear+Uncertainty+Doubt● You don't know

anything about it.● What if it doesn't work

well?● It's not backed by any

major corporation.● You won't get support.● It'll disappear

tomorrow.


FUD = Fear+Uncertainty+DoubtFUD CAN BE OVERCOME!● Information is freely available on

Internet and from resources like us.

● Actual Linux and Open Source performance is openly given by users.

● Reliable Open Source projects are backed by thousands of programmers.

● Support comes from companies like us.

● Genie is already out of the bottle. Will not disappear.

● You don't know anything about it.

● What if it doesn't work well?

● It's not backed by any major corporation.

● You won't get support.

● It'll disappear tomorrow.


Where can you find Open Source software?

● SourceForge - http://sf.net● Fresh Meat - http://freshmeat.net● Open Source Directory - http://osdir.com

http://freshmeat.net/


Questions?


Sawasdee!

Thank you!

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