Linux

We aquired a number of different Linux distributions; Redhat, Suse and installed them on some of our oldest machines. There was never a conscious decision to turn off our NT servers and move entirely to Linux, it just happened gradually.

T h e   l i g h t   d a w n s

As the months passed it became apparent that the performance we were getting from the Linux servers (installed on our oldest hardware) was as good as if not better than the performance of NT (on our newest hardware).

Not only did the raw performance seem better but the applications were easier to manage and more reliable.

T h r e e   M a i n   A p p l i c a t i o n s

The three main applications we use are:

1. Samba - file and print serving
2. Apache - web server
3. Postgres - relational database

D e v e l o p m e n t

We develop software for Linux. Until now this has all been web based - usually with a strong mapping theme. We have done an incident reporting system, a map request system and a virtual golf system. We are due to start soon on our first non-web application.

Our customers either don't know or don't care what operating system we use to run their application. I don't think we have reached the stage yet where using Linux is seen as a positive thing, but more and more organisations seem to be using it internally - quite often by stealth as various individuals in the IT department get a bit more life out of a piece of redundant kit.

S u p p o r t

One of the classic anti-Linux arguments is that Linux and Linux applications are 'unsupported'. My experience has been exactly the opposite. There is plenty of support out there. Every application has an active and enthusiastic group of developers and users who are only too willing to lend a hand and help you out.

We probably have an advantage because we are software developers with a good Unix knowledge. Also, we're very used to the command line and are not afraid to tinker. I like to know that every CPU cycle is being used properly so it cheers me to glance over at the Linux servers and see a basic command line on a black screen. Conversely it depresses me to watch those precious cycles soaked up by animated cursors and fancy graphics on the machine running XP - yeah, bring back punch cards and paper tape .