Hi Brian, Brian Burnes wrote: > > Hello: > > I am a microbiology laboratory manager with limited computer literacy, but I am also a *biology student specialising in Bioinformatics!!
> I am interested in the capabilities of Debian. Endless capabilities, with proper setup. I primarily use debian linux for my server/desktop environment here in the Bioinformatics lab. > I need to create a > laboratory computer system that is multiuser (with terminals?) and > multitasking capable (sounds like Linux) with a GUI (for computerphobes) > and word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications which can read > MS files. You can do the above things with Debian Linux. All you have to do is install debian linux (www.debian.org) and sun's staroffice (www.sun.com) which is a very good office application. I am using it, productively ;) > My existing hardware consists of PCs with Pentiums running MS > Office. Are you planning to move all the PCs to linux? > From a little research I have done, I think Linux can do the job. Yes. > I have read the info, comparison, and install pages, but I am just not > sure. I also don't have the time or expertise to fix a confused computer > if I botch the job. oh. If you want a straighter, simpler install I would suggest installing Caldera Linux or Redhat linux 6.1 since Debian linux *CAN* get harder to install for beginners. I first used redhat linux and then moved to debian. Also, it all depends on what types hardware your machines have got. Most of the times newcomers report that "my so_and_so card is not working in linux". I would suggest to make a checklist before you proceed. Here (http://www.pcquest.com/mar99/installing.asp) you can find a checklist you can use. Once you have made the checklist, go and look into the linux hardware compatibility howto at (http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html) and see if *ALL* of your hardware has support in the kernel. If you clear all these, then you can simply go ahead with the install. > Is it possible to use an existing Pentium PC, install Debian, find > MS-Office-like applications, and run terminals to the central PC so that > users in separate labs can access one central file set? yes you can do that. existing? you mean it carrys any OS? when you prepare your system to install linux, you will have to partition your hard disk which means you will loose your exisiting data! > I appreciate any suggests or comments. Thanks Hope these help. > Existing hardware (PCs with PentiumII, older 386s) This description is not enough. you will have to know what is *inside* the boxes as I have described briefly above. > Existing software (MS Windows, Xenix) well, you have equivalent software for your needs on linux and hence you can't use M$ software on linux. -gnana
