Linux Draws Interest at PC Event

NEW YORK -- Big PC shows like PC Expo are predictably dominated by Microsoft and its supporters. But here at this year's PC Expo/TechXNY, Linux stole a bit of the limelight: For the first time, a Linux Boot Camp taught attendees what Linux is, what they can do with it, and how to work with it.

"Last year we couldn't even get Linux sessions on the program," says Jennifer Santiago, conference manager. "This year people are really interested in Linux, so we set up the two-day program." Attendance was good, with 40 to 50 people participating each day, she says.

User Wish Lists

Santiago focused on attendees' interests when planning the sessions about Linux.

"People don't want to sit and listen to editors' theories," Santiago says. "They want how-to, first you do this, then you do this."

Faber Fedor of Linux New Jersey led two days of back-to-back sessions that covered a wide range of topics. Subjects ranged from the very basic "How Do I Do That in Linux?" and installation instruction to complex topics such as "Databases, Programming, and Integration."

People's reasons for attending the sessions were as diverse as the sessions. Some were self-professed Microsoft-haters driven to Linux because of Windows' instability. Some were already running Linux and wanted to learn more about it. Others went because they're looking for cheaper software that's free of Microsoft's licensing fees.

Introduction to Linux

Most of the first-day sessions taught the fundamentals. The first session ("What Is This Linux Thing, Anyway?") covered Linux software licensing, Linux distributions, and how the operating system works.

In the "Under the Hood" session, Fedor touched on the main differences between the two operating systems. He compared Windows to Sears and Linux to Home Depot, saying, "If you want a bed that millions of other people have, you go to Sears to buy it. If you want a unique bed, you go to Home Depot and buy the tools and lumber and build it yourself, or you hire someone to do that."

To show off the power of Linux, Fedor began the "Installation and Maintenance" session by logging in to a friend's PC in Allentown, Pennsylvania, using SSH (a secure way to remotely log in to another computer); he then installed Open Office on his friend's PC over the Internet. Afterward, he led attendees through a step-by-step installation of Red Hat.

Tips for Getting Along

For those who aren't ready to ditch Windows entirely, Fedor's final session covered ways to integrate Windows and Linux on a network.

While many attendees already had Linux running at their homes or offices, many went to learn how to install for the first time. Yoshi Meya of US Fuji Electric says he plans to put his new Linux knowledge to work at the office.

"We just had a Linux server installed as an e-mail server," he says. "I'm here to learn to administrate it so the company that installed [the server] won't have to come out." He's been pleased with the performance of the new server so far and plans to migrate others after attending the Boot Camp.

For other PC Expo/TechXNY product announcements and news, see PCWorld.com's ongoing coverage.