[Am-info] Greenpeace throws out Windows --- a social trend?

[Sujal Shah]

On Tue, 2002-05-14 at 21:52, Geoffrey wrote:
> Hans Reiser wrote:
> 
> > Remember, critical mass can be very important in these matters, and once 
> > MS drops below 50% I predict it will go into a total tailspin.
> 
> It's not a major addition to critical mass, but....
> 
> I was talking to my Dr. the other day about the internet in general. 
> She started asking me various questions about technical hurdles she was 
> trying to overcome.  Anyway, I noted she indicated she had her whole 
> network on dsl, no firewall on the gateway machine (windows 2000).  I 
> suggested she should invest in a simple firewall, noting that she could 
> use an old P75 with something like Linux or Freebsd.

Now, keep in mind that I run nothing but Linux on my workstations, and
have an iBook as my laptop (running OS X).

I would actually shy away from having an old PC as the firewall machine,
especially since inexpensive devices from Linksys et al do an admirably
good job of protecting a home network, and provide all the flexibility
of a Linux or *BSD firewall (well, most of the flexibility).

The main advantages are noise (in case the firewall box isn't in a
closet somewhere) and power consumption. :-)  There was a noticeable dip
in my monthly power bill once I turned off the old P100 and replaced it
with a Linksys router.

Just a thought for you. 

My point is just that the solutions are many, and Linux and old PCs
aren't always economical just because it's Linux.  Also, I think
purposed devices are better for less experienced users, as it's easy to
cable everything, and everything has an obvious purpose and simple
management.

I have a feeling that even in the enterprise space, we'll be moving
towards purposed boxes for most enterprise needs.  For example, look at
the Google search server.  Most competing solutions involve a software
purchase and install on a machine.  Google just decided to sell a box
that you plug in, configure, and go with (
http://www.google.com/services/ ).  I think at least Americans like
something tangible when you spend large chunks of change, and little 1
or 2U rack mounted boxes are relatively cheap these days.

Sujal


> 
> She called me last week, she'd gotten cracked.  I don't have the 
> specifics other than it was an apparent deadly effort which required the 
> replacement of the motherboard.  Oooh nasty.  The next words our of her 
> mouth were, when can I get that Linux firewall.
> 
> We are now in discussions regarding her overall needs.  Looking to the 
> future, with having a client device in every room, webserver accessible 
> via the internet and more.  The firewall is a given part of the solution 
> at this time,  the Windows 2000 web server is next to be replaced, 
> Linux/Apache.  The client devices are in discussion.  She will require 
> to have some M$ functionality as she has one software package that is 
> dos based.  I'm thinking, DR-DOS though. :)
> 
> The interesting thing about her is, in her practice, she thinks outside 
> the box.  She's willing to consider non-traditional therapies.  It 
> appears this view is rolling over into her office IT expectations.
> 
> What did Bill Gates say?  A computer in every home running M$ software?
> 
> How about, one office at a time, the alternatives are coming.  Front 
> door, back door, every door...  Na, I've got to come up with something 
> better than that...
> 
> -- 
> Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@3times25.net
> 
> I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
> to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?
> 
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-- 
------ Sujal Shah ---- sujal@sujal.net

	   http://www.sujal.net/