[GRLUG] Linux server sync with MS Outlook

[Topher]

> Oh goodie, I just subscribed and I'm right in the middle of a Netiquette 
> issue : )
>
> Well, I joined due to my interest in Linux so I hope MY question is on 
> topic and appropriate for this particular group.

I suspect you'll find that the vast majority of us are nice normal 
friendly people who don't get wound up about text formatting, and have a 
variety of interests and skills.  :)

> I've tried several distro's and still can't tell much difference other 
> than look and feel.

The front ends ARE getting quite similar these days.  It's the back ends 
that vary in my opinion.  I think the key is package management; meaning 
"I want software X, how do I get it?".

Stuff like redhat, CentOS, Suse, etc use rpms, and have software to make 
it relatively easy to find those rpms and get them installed.  Stuff like 
Debian and Ubuntu use debs, and have software to make it relatively easy 
to find those debs and get them installed.

Personally, I like the debian branch of stuff, but Cent is a very stable, 
worthy platform.

> I am looking to run a server which will allow my salesmen to share a 
> common calendar, or to sync to a common HD allowing the sales manager to 
> look at activity of each salesmen, right now there all running Windows 
> Office and I doubt I can change that part

I suspect you're going to want to run Zimbra.  It's an Exchange clone, and 
seems to scale well.  The Mozilla Corp. has been using it for a while now 
with great satisfaction.  That said, the Zimbra folk like CentOS best, so 
that might be a good way to go.  They also recently announced planned 
support for Ubuntu though.

As for the shared drive stuff, you want Samba, and every distro can run 
that just fine.

> Does anyone know if this is workable with Linux

Absolutely.  However, in exchange for not paying a pile of cash to be able 
to double click it into existence you'll have to put some effort into it. 
You'll be a better person for it in the end though.  :)

Topher
Manager of Internet Services
Cornerstone University Radio

------
"To scoff is...easy, but to go on in the way of scoffing and do what is right
is the way of a man."
                         -- Louis L'Amour, The Lonesome Gods