RE: LINUX Workstations -- MIDRANGE-L

Greetings!

Actually Joel is right; it is better to take the plunge if you want to try
Linux. A Pentium II with a good video card and 128 meg RAM will work great
with any Linux distro. You should be able to find those "doorstops" anywhere
for cheap or free. Use a KVM switch and you don't need to waste the cash on
an extra monitor...

If you have your heart set on keeping some windows programs, take a look at
http://www.codeweavers.com. Their product allows windows programs to run
natively in Linux. It's kinda spooky to see an IE icon on your Linux
desktop, but it works slick. Codeweaver supports Office 2000 and a version
of Quicken (I forget which). It has a 30 day trial period. There is also
http://www.winehq.org.

You're probably out of luck with OPSNAV, but you could try loading it on a
Linux box with the Codeweaver product or WINE to see what happens...

Good Luck,

Paul Stagnoli


> ------------------------------
> 
> message: 5
> date: Thu, 2 Oct 2003 10:02:54 -0500
> from: "Bob Cagle" <bcagle@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> subject: Linux Workstations
> 
> I'm curious - how does the new Lindows OS stand-up to RedHat and the
> others?
> 
> Bob Cagle
> IT Manager
> Lynk, Inc.
> 913-492-9202 x41
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joel Cochran [mailto:jrc@xxxxxxxxxx] 
> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2003 5:53 AM
> To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: MIDRANGE-L Digest, Vol 2, Issue 1524
> 
> Booth,
> 
> I'm sure you'll get a more seasoned response than mine, but as one who
> recently dumped windows for a Linux workstation I hope I can provide
> some valuable insight:
> 
> 1.  Unless you REALLY need a windows program don't bother 
> with the dual
> boot.  But obviously save all the important stuff off your computer
> first...
> 
> If you think you REALLY need a perticular windows program, I'll bet
> there is a replacement for it somewhere (but I'm not sure about
> opsnav).  
> 
> Even if there is no replacement, there is still hope: 
> WinForLin (sp?) is
> a Linux product that will let you install a windows environment inside
> your Linux environment.  You would essentially have a Windows OS you
> could open when you ahve to but still be within the confines of Linux.
> 
> 2.  http://tn5250.sourceforge.net - a well done 5250 emulator 
> for Linux
> (and others, actually).  Open source project with lots of 
> support (Scott
> Klement and some other heavy weights work on it) and a decent mailing
> list at linux5250@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> If you aren't sure, see if you can get a really cheap box, 
> maybe even an
> old one lying around.  A PIII 550 will run Linux pretty well.  Install
> your flavor (I would recommend RedHat9 for the easiest to get up and
> running).  You'll quickly find that it is as easy to use and 
> navigate as
> Windows.  This isn't to say that there's not more to learn, because
> there is, but you can be a functinal user in short order.  Not to
> mention oodles and oodles of mailing lists, websites, and chatrooms
> where you can get help.
> 
> My advice?  Take the plunge!
> 
> :-)
> 
> Joel
> http://www.rpgnext.com
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