Q: Linux? UNIX? What's the difference?

A: At the risk of over-simplifying things, UNIX is not an operating system; it is an idea. When you use Solaris or AIX or Linux, you are using an operating system which was sprung out of a collective set of ideas which are called UNIX. In fact, we tend to call Linux and Solaris, for example, flavours of UNIX. It's a little bit like ice cream: when you eat a vanilla ice cream, this is specifically a vanilla flavor, but it is also made the way ice cream is made. Hence, Linux is not UNIX, but it is a UNIX like operating system.

Q: Isn't Linux a command line OS? That's why I prefer NT/Windows 2000/XP.

A: That is absolutely true. The heart of Linux is at the command line. This does not mean, however, that all your work under Linux has to be command line driven. There are excellent graphical interfaces for just about any administrative task you can think of. The way most of these applications are designed is to have a command line program, and then to build a graphical application on top of it. This means that you are free to choose whichever method you prefer to get your work done.

On a deeper level, this is a fundamental concept under Linux; command line tools with optional graphical interfaces. This does not only mean that you can choose how to get the job done, it also separates the GUI code from the functional code. So, if for any reason the GUI interface is inaccessible (such as if you are telnetting in to do the work) then you can still get evrything done.

By contrast, if you don't have the GUI under windows you are pretty much stuck. Under windows, there is no separation of GUI from core operating system functionality. This is one of the primary reasons why UNIX--like systems such as Linux are legendary for their stability. Keeping things simple and compartmentalised.

Q: Let's say I want to start thinking about deploying Linux where I work. Where do I begin?

A: That really depends on your needs. It is safe to say that Linux can do pretty much everything you need in terms of server functionality, so that is probably a good place to begin. How about setting up an e--mail server on your LAN? That would probably not take more than fifteen minutes.

And while you're at it, with all of those windows clients, you might as well think about using Linux as a windows file--sharing server. And print server. And don't worry about those Macintosh users; Linux is fluent in Appletalk and will happily connect them with the rest of the world. Seamlessly.

Do you need a web--server too? Have a look at Apache. Apache is the leading web--server software solution in the world, and it has been so for a very long time and it will continue to be so for a very long time. This not surprising since it is free, open source, stable, incredibly flexible, and smart.

Application server? Tomcat. LDAP? You got it. Groupware? Plenty of alternatives. FTP? Yep. Instant messaging server? Of course. Database server? MySQL/postgreSQL/Firebird/etc. Linux makes an excellent firewall and/or router too.

As we said, it all depends on your needs. Try describing your requirements to one of the volunteers and see what they can come up with.

Q: Great, what about support contracts and liability clauses?

A: Thats what we have Linux vendors for, many companies offer support contracts and the kind of guaranties you may be used to, the good thing is now support is truely a competitive market since all these companies have access to the source code and can modify and service the software as in any possible way. you don't like your current services provider? change the company seek a better one? the other good thing is you can go to a local company, or a small company if you prefer. and then there is always a free community on the internet eager to help you with all support questions, you can even contact the software developers directly, or employ some of them, the choices are endless.

Q: How standards--compliant is Linux anyhow?

A: Linux is probably the benchmark for standards compliance.

When you think about it, there really wouldn't be a Linux without standards and without the commitment to follow them. There are hundreds of thousands of programmers world--wide who work on Linux, and the only way for an interface designer in Bombay, for example, to coordinate his work with a programmer in New York is for there to be a set of standards governing the work. This goes for network protocols, UI design, file structure, filesystem hierarchy, all types of API, etc.

Standards are the air Linux breathes.

Linux even knows how to deal with other systems which do not comply with common standards. One excellent example is Microsoft Office documents, which are proprietary and undocumented yet which (after a lot of hard work and reverse engineering) can be viewed and modified under Linux.

Linux speaks all languages, even the broken ones.

Q: Alright, you've convinced me. I'm installing Linux today. Mail server, web server, database server, DNS server, Linux desktops in the marketing department, penguins in accounting, Mandrake on my PC, uClinux on my pocket calculator.

A: Okay okay, slow down. It's easy to get excited about Linux, we know. Welcome aboard! and remember to join us @ http://www.linux-egypt.org