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Microsoft Alternatives

Microsoft has made it very easy for consultants to use its products by default. In most cases, it makes sense to use the industry standard software packages for simpler file sharing, to make it easy for a new consultant to step in and take over, …etc. As good consultants, however, we would be remiss if we didn't at least let our clients know of the alternatives and even recommend them if the situation warrants it. Since Microsoft software covers several arenas, we have decided to spread this info over the next three issues of the Promethean:

    April - Part I - Server Operating System (OS) Alternatives

    May - Part II - Desktop Applications

    June - Part III - Internet Connectivity and Browsing     Applications

 Part I - Server OS Alternatives

We are probably all familiar with Microsoft's very powerful networking software, Windows 2000, or it's predecessor Windows NT. Some of the alternatives that you may or may not hear about are:

I. Novell NetWare

Novell NetWare was Microsoft's main competition in the Server OS department for many years. NetWare had a sizeable head start with its OS and has been formidable competition since the early days of MS LAN Manager (Microsoft's first networking software), but it seems to have lost ground with its last few versions. Version 6.0 is getting better press, however, and some costly licensing moves on Microsoft's behalf have caused some migration back to NetWare and UNIX. Still, NetWare's market share has fallen from over 70% in the early 1990's to around 17% today. Microsoft jumped out in front with Windows NT Server in 1995 and now enjoys a comfortable margin over all competitors.

This kind of loss in market share would normally suggest that superior products gained foothold, but one must consider Microsoft's marketing muscle and penchant for incorporating the good ideas of others into its products (many call this thievery).

Some of the advantages of Novell NetWare are:

1. Simpler/cheaper licensing

2. Fewer security concerns

3. More support for multiprocessor environments and server clustering



Some of the disadvantages of Novell NetWare are:


1. Many desktop applications do not work as well with NetWare

2. Because it has less market share, third-party developers often conduct less testing with NetWare

3. It is much easier to find Microsoft Certified System Engineers (MCSE's) than it is to find Certified Novell Engineers (CNE's) to support your network

II. UNIX (Linux)

UNIX is a popular multi-user, multitasking operating system developed at Bell Labs in the early 1970s. UNIX was designed to be a small, flexible system used exclusively by programmers. Bell Labs distributed the operating system in its source language form, so anyone who obtained a copy could modify and customize it for his own purposes. By the end of the 1970s, dozens of different versions of UNIX were running at various sites. Of course this has led to difficulties trying to define standards.

With its newer cousin, Linux, UNIX has regained its second-place position in the network operating system market behind Microsoft.

Some of the advantages of UNIX are:

1. Inexpensive (often free)

2. Extremely stable

Some of the disadvantages of UNIX are:

1. Not user friendly (GUI interfaces like MOTIF are still new to UNIX)

2. Support very hard to find

3. Fewer "Off-the-Shelf" packages written for UNIX

If you have questions regarding the products mentioned above and how they might be applied to your computer network, please call us at
317/733-2388.

 

 

 

  

Definition according to Webopedia.com

 Applet

A program designed to be executed from within another application. Unlike an application, applets cannot be executed directly from the operating system. With the growing popularity of OLE (object linking and embedding), applets are becoming more prevalent. A well-designed applet can be invoked from many different applications.

Web browsers, which are often equipped with Java virtual machines, can interpret applets from Web servers. Because applets are small in files size, cross-platform compatible, and highly secure (can't be used to access users' hard drives), they are ideal for small Internet applications accessible from a browser.

HTTP

Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol, the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.

The other main standard that controls how the World Wide Web works is HTML, which covers how Web pages are formatted and displayed.

HTTP is called a stateless protocol because each command is executed independently, without any knowledge of the commands that came before it. This is the main reason that it is difficult to implement Web sites that react intelligently to user input. This shortcoming of HTTP is being addressed in a number of new technologies, including ActiveX, Java, JavaScript and cookies.


Networking (The People Kind)

Believe it or not, sometimes we at Promethius actually step away from our computers and venture out into the world to interact with real people. If we are lucky, we remember to leave all pocket protectors and #2 pencils at home. Below are some local organizations that we have really found useful both personally and professionally. Click on the names to visit their websites. Indianapolis

Chamber of Commerce (http://www.indychamber.com/)

The Indianapolis Chamber has over 3000 members, and is growing these days at a rate of about 40 new members per month. Their most successful networking events are the Business After Hours and Power Networking, both of which are monthly gatherings. Our personal favorite is Power Networking, which is more of a structured networking workshop rather than a pure social event. These workshops not only teach interpersonal and networking skills, but you actually get to "practice" right there with other members. It's a fun, painless way to make new friends and contacts.

Indianapolis Jaycees (http://www.indyjaycees.org/) The Indianapolis Jaycees is an all-volunteer organization of young professionals wanting to develop leadership skills and give back to the community. They have a very robust calendar of events ranging from community service projects to purely social gatherings. They just wrapped up a very special Easter egg hunt for terminally ill children, and they plan to do several fundraising activities at the track this May. A fun time is guaranteed at all events!


mmmmmmmmmmmCartoon by Melissa Dixon