Now Experience Open Source Linux on Computers in the ITC Lab

The College of Education Instructional Technology Center (ITC) has expanded the role of Linux to include desktop computers in the open lab located in room 151 Taylor Education Building. Two Linux computers now are available which can do most everything a Windows or Mac computer can do. They have a compatible office suite, web browsers and Second Life Viewer. You can read your web mail, use Adobe Connect, edit video and, of course, print papers to the printer in ITC (for 10 cents per page).

Linux has been the College’s primary server platform for more than 5 years. The first Linux servers in the College were deployed in 1995. Since then more than 20 of the servers operated by ITC run Slackware Linux. The LAMP model (Linux, Apache Web Server, MySQL and PHP) has streamlined application programming and saved the College money.

Linux has been the primary desktop choice for some ITC staff members for 5 years. Running VMWare Desktop on Linux, a number of virtual machines (computers) can be run at the same time while running Windows as a program.

With four desktops, users can easily switch from one application or computer to the next. Terry Eden, ITC director, said he likes the ability to quickly switch from the Linux desktop where he runs his email, web applications and server administration to a Windows 7 desktop where he can check room reservations (which requires Internet Explorer) or SAP GUI applications (which UK does not support on Linux).

For more information about ITC and its many offering, visit its web page [4] or call (859) 257-7967.