Re: How do you use Linux in your Library?

[Eric Lease Morgan <eric_morgan@ncsu.edu>]

Edward M. Corrado (ecorrado@hera.rider.edu) wrote:

> I am preparing a presentation on Linux and how it is used in libraries (in
> particular, Rider University's Libraries) for a conference. As part of
> that presentation, I would like to give a brief overview of how different
> libraries (outside of Rider University) use Linux (and if possible, the
> approximate date the library started to use Linux for this service). I am
> interested in any way you use Linux, weather it is in the back office as a
> web, file, dns, e-mail, print server, etc. or as a public workstation.
> Also, if you have used Linux as a public workstation, I'd be very
> interested in any experiences (positive or negative). I would also be
> interested in the use of other free Unix-like O/S such as the BSD O/S's. I
> apologize for any inconvenience caused by cross-posting this message, and
> any responses will be greatly appreciated.

We use Linux as a development platform for our MyLibrary@NCState software.

Based on my experience, Linux is a quite nice server environment. Much of
the more popular Internet services and back-end applications run on Linux
very well: Apache, PHP, MySQL, Perl, various mailing list servers, etc. It
also functions very well as a file/print server via IPX, AppleTalk, and/or
NFS. As of right now, I believe, as a desktop environment, it still is a bit
lacking.

-- 
Eric Lease Morgan
Digital Library Initiatives, NCSU Libraries
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/staff/morgan/