[GRLUG] Using Ubuntu instead of windows at work.

[Jonathan Jesse]

So I try this every now and then (almost every new Ubuntu release), but
struggle w/ the same problems you have.  The best/easiest solution I have
came across is to use VirtualBox to create a Windows VM and have it run
basically all the time.  Really defeats the purpose of running Linux so I
give up and switch back to Windows.  Having to run a VM all the time kills
battery life and really defeats the purpose of running Linux in my view.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but its something I tried several times and
find it isn't worth the struggle to get things working or have a VM always
killing my battery

On Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 9:37 AM, Michael Glaske <mglaske at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello all, I have been a 'lurker' for a while, gone to a couple meetings,
>  would like to go to more, but family/kids/work/dogs/house/life...
>
> In any case, since 90% of my job at my work is about supporting systems
> that are run largely on Ubuntu, Oracle EL, RedHat, it would be feasible to
> run Ubuntu on my desktop.  Although, I have been out of the 'Linux desktop'
> space for probably 6-8 years, and I don't really know what's out there.  I
> have Ubuntu 11.10 loaded dual-boot on my work laptop, and have
> begun acquiring tools, but I would like to ask the group what software they
> use, hopefully saving me MANY hours of installing, testing, and removing
> software that doesn't fit my needs.
>
> So.  What I need to do my work is this:
>
> 1. Connectivity to Exchange 2007, so I can use email, contact, calendars,
> meeting scheduling, etc.
>  - I have found a couple options, Evolution w/ Exchange MAPI add on, which
> seem very buggy.  IMAP which is not really acceptable, or using actual
> Outlook itself through Crossover.
>
> 2. Connectivity to Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 OCS
>  - Look like empathy is supposed to do this with a SIPE plugin, but I have
> installed it, and it's not connecting.  I do have the sipe plugin working on
> my windows box through pidgin however, so I know it's possible.
>
> 3. SecureCRT or something like it for SSH/SFTP connectivity.  Needs to have
> a nice directory tree where I can sort our 300-400 servers into folders for
> easy use.
>  - Installed SecureCRT from Vandyke on Ubuntu, but it locks up parts of X
> when run, so maybe it's not ideal.
>
> 4. RDP Client like RoyalTS, where I can sort our 100 or so windows servers
> into groups, and each RDP session is contained within the window so I don't
> wind up with 20 windows open (too hard to manage)
>
> 5. Office, word processing, spreadsheet.
>  - Libre office seems quite nice, so I think I'm all set here.
>
> 6. Visio and Project :(
>
> 7. VMWare Virtual Infrastructure Client.
>
> 8. NetAPP Storage Manager
>
> 9. Windows Domain tools (ADUC, DNS, DHCP, DFS, GPMC,
> Exchange Management Console)
>  - (ugh. probably have to be in a VM of some type, looking
> for recommendations.  I like Oracle's Virtual Box, but haven't looked for
> a Linux version)
>
> 10. Connectivity for Cisco VPN on ASA.
>  - Standard IPSEC VPN tools will probably work, but I haven't looked for
> any.
>
> 11. Good LDAP Manager.  Is there Apache Directory Studio for linux?
>
> 12. Cisco IP Communicator (soft-phone) - probably not. :(
>
> 13. A nice multi-time-zone clock that stays on the desktop.  I use Qlock on
> windows, and it's perfect.
>
> 14. A nice on-desktop task reminder list.  I use 'rainlendar' on windows,
> which I just found, and is awesome!
>
> I think that's about it.  Some of this stuff just isn't possible on linux
> for licensing or other stupid reasons. So I think I will have to run a VM of
> some type, so suggestions on that front would be awesome.  How far has WINE
> come ?  Ideally I would like to not have to boot up a huge secondary OS if I
> don't have to.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
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