[olug] How's Running a Linux Desktop at Work?

[Aaron Grothe]

Hey All,
 
 I've been curious about this for a while.  How many people are running a LInux desktop at work?  My primary workstation at work is running Linux (with a Citrix session to handle exchange).  Actually this is my only work desktop as my Windows box needs to be reimaged again.
 
 Here are the questions combined with my answers:
 
 Q) If you have multiple machines which is the primary?
 A) In my case the Linux box comes first with the Microsoft Windows box being needed for a few apps.
 
 Q) Are you actually allowed to run Linux on your desktop or are you running "under the radar"?
 A) Under the Radar officially, but it is a pretty well known secret.
 
 Q) Did you install Linux or did come that way from your tech group?
 A) I did the installs myself.
 
 Q) Are you encouraged, allowed or just tolerated?
 A) Tolerated
 
 Q) How many people have you been able to convert?
 A) A handful, our new virus scanner and spysweeper software pretty much kill any PC, generating a lot of interest in Linux.  Probably have gotten about 5-10 people to have a second desktop machine with Linux.  A lot of second generations PCs are running Linux around work :-)
 
 Q) What are you running?
 A) Kubuntu 5.05 currently, might flip back to Suse later.  This has been a Suse 10/FC4/Kubuntu 5.05 box.  Pretty much have just settled on Kubuntu and gotten back to work.
 
 Q) What has been the biggest challenge in going to Linux?
 A) Applications, Oracle jinitator currently doesn't run under Wine and Exchange is a pain in the buttocks.
 
 Q) Thing that most suprises people about your desktop?
 A) EIther the ability to run IE 6 with ies4linux and wine or the ability to use Citrix and RDP to be able to connect to the unholy machines.  The ability to tab consoles with konsole usually also manages to get a knowing nod.
 
 Regards,
 
 Aaron
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