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Don't mess with librarians ...

As soon as you show me a librarian that can install Linuxxx, I'll show you Microsoft running scared.

Actually, I think Microsoft is too fat to run. "Gallumphing" is probably a better description. I say this because as a Librarian, I have no problem installing Linux. You may think of Librarians as simple clerical workers shelving books. While libraries do indeed hire clerical workers to do that, the actual Librarians have at least Masters-level education (meaning they got their Bachelor's in something else before becoming Librarisns.) We are more than capable of installing and running Linux.

As far as 9,999 to 1 running Windows, that is not necessarily by choice. If the workstations are running Windows, it is because the libraries have budgetary constraints greater than (and more convoluted than) most businesses. Because the PCs that they purchase come with Windows pre-installed, that's what they're going to use unless they can really save money by removing Windows.

For example: our local library just replaced all its dumb terminals with PCs running a web-based interface to the public online catalog. These PCs have to be crippled so that users can't use them for anything else, and they still have to have the latest patches and security fixes applied. If they could have purchased the PCs WITHOUT Windows for less than the cost WITH Windows, they would have done so, used Linux, and created a more secure environment. But unless and until the PC makers are willing to sell PCs without Windows pre-installed for less than the cost of a PC with Windows, most libraries won't bother trying to justify purchasing Linux-based PCs to a library board that's already feeling flack for carrying such subversive works as "Catcher In The Rye" and "Harry Potter".

(Oh, good Lord -- "Harry Potter and the Catcher In The Rye". Can't wait to see the people coming to the library board meetings when they try to buy THAT book.)

Posted by: muzhik   Posted on: 04/03/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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