if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf('Netscape/7.0') != -1) /

1
Linux-Based Public WorkstationsIssues and
Application

• Session B202
• Perry Horner
• Coordinator of Library Technology Support
  Development
• ASU at the West Campus Fletcher Library
• P_Horner_at_asu.edu

2
Introduction

• Disruptive Technology

3
Introduction

• Disruptive Technology
• Windows 95

4
Introduction

• Disruptive Technology
• Windows 95
• Mac OS X

5
Introduction

• Disruptive Technology
• Windows 95
• Mac OS X
• Linux

6
Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term
• Transfer of skills and expertise and combine
  related activities to reduce cost and support
  goals

7
Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term
• Transfer of skills and expertise and combine
  related activities to reduce cost and support
  goals
• Market, Management, Operation

8
Linux as a Strategic Fit

• Business Term
• Transfer of skills and expertise and combine
  related activities to reduce cost and support
  goals
• Market, Management, Operation
• Linux must exist harmoniously in all three to be
  successful

9
Metrics

• Cost

10
Metrics

• Cost
• Service

11
Metrics

• Cost
• Service
• Flexibility

12
Metrics

• Cost
• Service
• Flexibility
• Ease of Maintenance

13
Metrics

• Cost
• Service
• Flexibility
• Ease of Maintenance
• User Satisfaction

14
Knowledge Resources for Success

• The Linux Desktop
• Feet first
• Linux Servers
• man pages, config files
• Linux Community
• User groups, forums, lists, Web

15
Implications with Users and Staff

• At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your
  litmus test
• Interface design
• Choose a desktop manager
• Customize your look and feel environment

16
Implications with Users and Staff

• At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your
  litmus test
• Process control
• Attractors
• Visible instructions
• Intuitiveness

17
Implications with Users and Staff

• At the end of the day, user satisfaction is your
  litmus test
• Application offerings
• Many choices
• Many compromises

18
Implications with Users and Staff

• Web browsers
• Support Applications
• Printing
• Saving to removable media
• No A

19
Implications with Users and Staff

• Industry Example (Ovid)
• function printRecords()
• if (validateRange())
• if (navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Netscape/
  7.0") ! -1)
• // Netscape 7.0x
• alert("Sorry, your browser doesn't
  support this feature. To print records, click the
  Preview button, click in the frame containing the
  records and then select Print from your browser
  File menu.")
• return
• with (parent.content.document.forms0)
• action"previewBriefRecordsHidden.ws"
  
• view_origin.value "main_view"
• target"preview"
• method"get" // Need to set method
  to get to get Netscape 4.7 to print
• submit()

20
Specialized Linux Environments

• LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project)
• Live CDs
• Embedded Systems
• Fat Clients
• Combination of some or all Fletcher Library

21
Conclusion

• Rewarding and fulfilling experience
• Enables freedom in application design,
  development, behavior, and presentation
• Removes umbilical cord to commercial vendors
  product roadmap
• Companies large and small are reaping benefits

22
Questions?

• Is your library ready for the next disruptive
  technology?

23
Questions?

• Is your library ready for the next disruptive
  technology?
• LINUX

24
Questions?

• Is your library ready for the next disruptive
  technology?
• LINUX