Item Circulation Software, Linux

In response to a comment about my last posting, the item circulation software we use is called Horizon, made by SirsiDynix. This software uses Java VM 1.4.2 and Sybase 12.5 to run.

Our staff use a PC running a client at each branch library while our patron records and item data are kept on a centralized server operated by the Valley Library Consortium. This is part of the reason why the system is sometimes slow to process check-in/check-out and fast-adds; we currently have 256k connections.

This summer, we're hoping to address the speed issue by upgrading our Internet connections to full T1s at all branch locations while VLC is going to upgrade their server hardware and up their bandwidth.

On a Linux-related note:
Currently, we are using Linux as the operating system for our content filtering and caching and our item catalog computers. Due to the requirements set by our Gates grant, we currently have no plans to migrate any of our patron computers to Linux. However, we do plan to use "hacked" wireless routers running Linux for our public wireless service.

Should we build our own computer lab, one of my requirements will be to install a Linux distribution (very likely Ubuntu Desktop) on custom-built boxes. Using virtual machine software like VMWare or Parallels, any other operating system environment (Vista, XP, Mandriva, or even legacy os') can be installed and run on top of Linux.

This would allow a great deal of flexibility for hosting a variety of applications with little or no downtime. One class could reserve the lab for Novell Netware, while later that same day, another class could learn how to use Adobe Photoshop or the Gimp on Windows XP.

I personally use Xubuntu 7.0.4 on my personal IBM ThinkPad T41p, and it handles all my day-to-day needs. In my opinion, open hardware and software (where source code and specifications are freely available to anyone) standards will become even more widespread and mainstream in the future.

Proprietary platforms will still have their place in the market, but will either work with open standards or have some open equivalent that will do as good or better.

Running Windows Applications on Linux

I recently replaced Mandriva 2007 (formerly Mandriva) on my office workstation with Xubuntu 7.0.4. This recent release has several improvements over 6.10 that I have running on my ThinkPad. One of the most important ones is Wine.

Wine is a software project that allows you to install and run Windows software on a Linux distribution. I've been able to install and run a few applications on my ThinkPad, but only after some troubleshooting and command-line changes. The latest release from Ubuntu changes that; I was able to successfully install AVG Admin (we use for monitoring our antivirus software) and Deep Freeze Enterprise and use them with few or no issues.

In fact, the operating system installation was very painless for me. All the needed drivers (sound, graphics, etc) had automatically installed for me, and I had yet to do any changes at the command-line level. This means that any one that has done Windows operating system installations can handle Ubuntu (or almost any other modern Linux distro).

This opens the possibility to not have to upgrade our systems to Windows Vista; we could migrate to Linux and still use our Windows applications software, and not have to worry about viruses and malware; or the annoying activation and genuine software pop-ups that come up every other Microsoft Update session.

Currently, our item circulation software client will not install using Wine, but that could change in a year or two.

For those of you concerned about Microsoft's claims of patent violations, don't let that scare you away from Linux and open-source software. Though Microsoft has claimed that a sizable number of patents has been violated, they have yet to specify which ones. A similar issue was raised by SCO a few years ago, and it has largely failed in court when they failed specify what part of their property was being copied.

For more information, check out these links:
Ubuntu Home Page
Wine HQ
SCO-Linux controversies - wikipedia
Linux Torvalds Reponds To Microsoft Patent Claims
Microsoft Claims Linux Infringes 42 Patents

Update Week

All the branches were visited last week for their software updates. The updates were small and went quickly. Those that had trouble using NASA WorldWind will find that it now works correctly. It was due partly to a permissions issue and also with trying to use the filtering/caching server to cache content.

The color laser printers were reconfigured to allow them to be remotely managed. Otherwise, the equipment have been solid.

Currently, we're waiting on confirmation from the FCC that we've gotten the funding for our Internet service. However, we still have one more piece of paperwork to file this week. In about a month, we should have an answer. Regardless, we will be installing T1s at all branch locations.

We're still going ahead with the PC and Print Management and Public wireless this summer. At the end of the month, I will be meeting with the librarians to (finally) present my findings and notes on the hardware and software we want to get.

After reviewing three vendors, we're going with SAM (Smart Access Manager) by Comprise Technologies. Originally, I was set on Envisionware, but after seeing Comprise's demo, I found SAM to be far better suited to a library environment.