Linux at work

[Quaggoth]

I am running Win2k at work, but I would like to switch to Linux. Preferably redhat 7.0. My questions are -

1. Is there a terminal server client for linux?
2. How would I run Office 2000, or what is equivelent? (Wordperfect 8?)
I have the CD's for WP8 and WP8 Legal edition (Comes with dragon naturaly speaking)
3. Can I connect to an exchange server?
4. Would there have to be some software on the server to allow Linux PC's to login?
5. Is there a LanDesk Client? Does it allow remote controling? (We remote through IE5 right now, so I would guess it would work the same way (But using Netscape) if there is a linux compatible client)
6. Can I still download WP8 for linux for free?
7. Can you think of any other things I have forgotten that would make for a nasty suprise?

Thank you for your input?

 

[FUBAR]

Sounds like your company is pretty locked into MS products to do the linux switch.

Here's what (little) I know,
For office, I think that Star Office is the office of choice, as long as you don't go for the new PR version.

 

[Ladi]

Better check what your IT dept's policy is on wiping your system and starting over with something that's probably not supported...Chances are, it won't go over well and if anything breaks, they won't be very sympathetic.

To answer your questions about office software suites...Wordperfect is far from an equivalent of office2k...staroffice is slightly closer, but not really. Also, you need Outlook to connect to an exchange server, unless the exchange server has imap or pop3 access, or a web interface.

~Ladi

 

[Quaggoth]

I AM the IT department. I just need to know what is involved in the switch. I would most likely be runing W2K/Redhat dual boot setup. I just need to know if there are equivelent programs for linux.

Thanks for the reply's so far, please keep em comin.

 

[Damaged]

>1. Is there a terminal server client for linux?

Either VNC or you can just get X desktops remotely. X Window is a server. You will, however, need something like Exceed, or XWin32 installed on the Windows box to get that to work.

>2. How would I run Office 2000, or what is equivelent? (Wordperfect >8?) I have the CD's for WP8 and WP8 Legal edition (Comes with dragon >naturaly speaking)

Use StarOffice instead.

>3. Can I connect to an exchange server?

StarOffice's email client may connect to an exchanger server, but I don't know for sure. You can always try searching something like Freshmeat for some mail client that may.

>4. Would there have to be some software on the server to allow Linux PC's to login?

Is this related to #3?

>5. Is there a LanDesk Client? Does it allow remote controling? (We >remote through IE5 right now, so I would guess it would work the >same way (But using Netscape) if there is a linux compatible client).

Doubtful. That's proprietary stuff. Just like I can't run 3Com's Total Control Manager on a Linux box. I can on a Solaris box though.

>6. Can I still download WP8 for linux for free?

As far as I know you can. AbiWord will also read MS .doc files if that's what you're after.

>7. Can you think of any other things I have forgotten that would >make for a nasty suprise?

No idea here. I don't know exactly what you're goals are and what you need to do.

 

[Quaggoth]

>>4. Would there have to be some software on the server to allow Linux PC's to login?

>Is this related to #3?

Not exactly, I was thinking something more like exceed I guess. We use Exceed to log into our Unix stuff I think (Not my department). I was thinking maybe something like the "Client for Microsoft Networks". Is there something comparable for Linux?

I basically need the ability to log into an NT Domain, Map Drives, Remote Control A Windows NT/98/95/2000 PC (Without installing anything to them or to a server so it basicaly has to be a landesk client for Linux), Browse the net, create and read Word and Excel doc's, maybe open an Access 97/2000 database every once in a while, we use Norton AntiVirus installed on NT1 and it installs the NAV client, It would have to be able to use NT login scripts. I THINK that's about everything.

 

[Damaged]

Oh. For mapping Doze drives SAMBA. For remote control you're stuck with VNC.

StarOffice should handle the Excel/Access stuff.

Hmmm, Linux as a PDC. I think so, but I wouldn't know for sure.

 

[Damaged]

A quick followup here. I don't think Linux is good for everything. However, if you're looking to upgrade some stuff and you would like to cheapen the per seat cost and don't mind a little learning, then slowly integrating Linux into your LAN is a pretty good way to go.

Bascially it's not a coup, it's more insidious than that.

 

[Quaggoth]

I don't need Linux to be a PDC, we already have one. Also, no one else will be using Linux, just me. There's NO way I could get Yavapai County in it's entirety to switch over to Linux. They just moved to NT4 about a year and a half ago

What is VNC? Does it have to install a client on each PC I would like to remote?

Will Star Office access access 97 AND 2000?

I know - RTFM

 

[Damaged]

Check out VNC here:VNC. Yes you have to install it on each computer.

Yes, StarOffice should read docs from both 97 and 2K.

Now, RTFM.

 

[Shuxclams]

1. Is there a terminal server client for linux?

Try VNC

2. How would I run Office 2000, or what is equivelent? (Wordperfect 8?)

Run WP8 as it will be compatible with M$ formats, "Yes, StarOffice should read docs from both 97 and 2K." that iot will but saving files can be iffy, I have yet to try SO 5.2 so that may have changed.

3. Can I connect to an exchange server?

There are ways, you could use OWA through Netscape, or you could use motif, which is another outlook style client thats used with HP-Openmail <-good for Linux, and free.

4. Would there have to be some software on the server to allow Linux PC's to login?

Samba

5. Is there a LanDesk Client? Does it allow remote controling? (We remote through IE5 right now, so I would guess it would work the same way(But using Netscape) if there is a linux compatible client)

Don't know.

6. Can I still download WP8 for linux for free?

I think so

7. Can you think of any other things I have forgotten that would make for a nasty suprise?

Just a many as any other migration.



SHUX

 

[Damaged]

Funny, I was just checking out HPs OpenMail as well. Looked like it cost $$$ though. If not, hey, check it out then.

 

[Shuxclams]

Linux version is a free download.


SHUX