[Gllug] is this a big problem?

[Liam Smit]

> > You can reduce costs substantially by using Linux/BSD on the servers.
> > Samba as a fileserver can remove the need for Windows CALs, and makes
> > sense. You can get a good AD equivalent with Samba 3 and OpenLDAP,
> > without too much hassle.
> 
> Can you really? On Windows you run a small program to enable the
> Active Directory and after a short while you have one. There's a full
> range of integrated DUI tools to help you administer it. Profiles can
> be created to apply to different elements and units enabling fine
> grained control of applications and hardware across the orgnisation.
> You can also use it to deploy software where packaged in MSI files to
> ensure that all machines are kept uptodate with the software the
> users need.

And when something goes wrong with AD then you are up a certain creek
without a paddle because _you_ can't fix it and the piece of software
can't fix it either.

As to pushing down software to keep user machines up to date that
sounds like someone is shoe horning the fat client model to fit the
thin client model.

> You may be able to keep everything running quite fine but the chances
> of youre employer finding someone else who will be able to step in
> and keep stuff running on day one after you've just been hit by a bus
> before being able to write any documentation is pretty low - with
> Microsoft software at least the basics can be covered almost
> immediately.

Of course the chances that the Microsoft person will be able to fix
anything if it breaks are also pretty remote. Retry, reboot, reinstall
anyone?

There's something to be said for simple wizard based setup of systems
but it's also good to learn the system internals. It means you know
how it works, why it breaks and where to look to fix it.


cheers

Liam
-- 
Gllug mailing list  -  Gllug at gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug