This document discusses the author's experiences with open source software over 12 years, beginning with Red Hat 6.2 in 2000. It describes the challenges they initially faced with hardware installation and software usage. The author found success with Ultimate Edition for device support and desktop effects. They rely on many open source packages for daily work and teaching. The author has conducted workshops introducing others to FOSS and supervised research using open source tools. However, challenges remain regarding compatibility with proprietary formats, lack of support, and changing perceptions. The document advocates for FOSS and concludes the main issues are the unpreparedness of the Malaysian computer industry and issues of compatibility and mindsets.

1. My Experiences, My FOSS, Why
FOSS, My Effort & Success? and
Challenges
MAMPU­ Regional (North) Seminar
on Open Source Software
Langkawi, 26 & 27 Februari 2013
http://badli2002.wordpress.com
badli2002@gmail.com
Page 1/27

2. My Experiences

Begin 2000 - - Red Hat 6.2


> 12 years NOW
Problems!!



do not understand HDD partition


little knowledge on how to install
little knowledge on Command Line Interface (CLI)
new to X-Windows environment (GNOME, KDE,
XFCE, LXDE etc..)
unaware of Microsoft equivalent packages/software
Page 2/27

3. My Experiences



installing packages (rpm.... aptget... synaptic package manager!)
package dependencies,
libraries? compiling kernel etc..
for installing device drivers -> root
administration
tried few versions of GNU/Linux
distro -> Mandrake -> Mandriva
-> Ubuntu -> Ultimate Edition
(UE)
Page 3/27

4. My Experiences
Which Distributions (Distro)?
Page 4/27

5. My FOSS

Ultimate Edition 2.7 (now 3.5) provides
appropriate device driver (touch screen HP), wifi and a lot of packages... and Compiz (desktop
effects) works by default.....
Page 5/27

6. Page 6/27

7. My FOSS

Packages use (for daily work):

OpenOffice, Libreoffice 4.0 (MS Office)

GIMP (Adobe Photoshop)

Planner/Project Management (MS Project),

Dia (Visio)

Empathy (YM),

Opera (email) (Outlook)

Chrome & Firefox (Internet Explorer)
Page 7/27

8. My FOSS


Mind Mapper
OMNeT++ – Network Modelling
Tool






Open Office, Libre Office
Deja Dup – Back Up tool

PDF Editor – Edit Pdf File
Dia – Diagram Drawing (Visio)

Pidgin – Chatting Applications

Planner – Project Management
gparted – Partition Storage
Devices (USB/Hard Disk)
GTG – Thing to do List
Konquerer – Web browser & File
Browser.

Chrome - Web browser

Firefox - Web browser



recordmydesktop – usefull to
record your lecture + slide
Shotwell – Photo Manager
UNetbootin – To burn bootable
ISO USB or CD
Page 8/27

9. Why FOSS?
Free Software grants the below 4 freedoms to the user:




The freedom to run the program, for any purpose
The freedom to study how the program works,
and adapt it to one's needs
The freedom to redistribute copies to help others
The freedom to improve the program, and release one's
improvements to the public
See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
Page 9/27

10. Why FOSS
Microsoft & EULA (End User License
Agreement)

You give up all rights

You accept all obligations placed on you for limited benefit

You may not share the software

You may not change the software

You do not own the software

You may only install the software to one device


We reserve the right to change the license for any reason or purpose
at any time
You may only run the software as specifically spelled out in the EULA
Page 10/27

11. Why FOSS

Why is FOSS Important? “Freedom...”







Ethic → ethical computer users
Cost → reducing TCO
Accessible →Provide access to public
Plenty of Choices → No monopoly
Innovation → produce knowledge workers
Business opportunities → provide services
Independent (Freedom) w/o relying on
one technology
Page 11/27

12. Why FOSS
S
!! e O
I D on ! !
O h
S
R P
W rt
D rt
E a
N a
A m TN m t
S ble
S
S E → a
1 AT u
o L nt & T
N *
* bu ne
U ho
P
Page 12/27

13. My Efforts

as a Dean/lecturer,
conducted
workshop/talks to



~ 100 universities
students, ~ 120 IT
13 technicians, 10
engineers, teachers in
Perlis, 40 Technicians
Jabatan Pendidikan
Negeri (Perlis) – April
2012
30 other university staffs
(UMT, UMP, UTHM)
Page 13/27

14. My Efforts

produced 12 MSc (by
research students) using
FOSS in UniMAP and 7 in
USM (Engineering), 1 PhD
and another 3 more
(submitted thesis)


in the area of Network Modelling
& RTOS
packages used OMNeT++
(Network Modelling) running on
GNU/Linux and GNU Tool Chain
(gcc)
Page 14/27

15. My Efforts

Spreading the GOOD NEWS of FOSS


Explaining the misunderstanding




to VC and Faculties/Centers Head of Department
"Free", "Freedom", "Open Source", "Linux" (open
source is more acceptable)
nothing is free!, no such thing as freedom, heard so
many problems, no need to change
immune to viruses is normal....
FOSS in MBA

FOSS Topic in Emerging Technology course
BFT556
Page 15/27

16. My Success?
Page 16/27

17. My Success → Smart Partnership

Sek. Keb. Sena, Kangar


Awareness Programs & 2 days
workshop with JPN and other schools
around Perlis
SK Sena is now champion in using
Multimedia software based on FOSS
Page 17/27

18. My Success → Web App/System




Red Hat Enterprise Server
Zimbra (e-mail) https://mail2.unimap.edu.my/
Claronline (portal E-Learnig http://elearning.unimap.edu.my/courses/EK
T332/index.php
IE & Mozilla friendly (but not all)

Portal, leave application, online payslip,
student management system
Page 18/27

19. My Success → Web App/System

ICT Dept.




Apache (web server)
MRTG (trafic monitoring and
stattistics)
Wireshark (Network diagnostics)
Joomla ( www.scceunimap.edu.my)
Page 19/27

20. My Success → Teaching

GNU C Compiler 4.0 (programming) –
started since 2005

Netbeans 6.7 (programming)

Star UML / Agro UML (programming)

MySQL 5.1 (database)

LibreOffice (compulsaory for graduate thesis
project) http://www.scceunimap.edu.my/home/news/28-odf-format-for-fypprojects.html
Page 20/27

21. My Success → Teaching

OMNeT++ /NS2 (computer network)

Scilab (replacing MATLAB)

Wireshark (computer network)

Ubuntu/Fedora and Ubuntu Ultimate
Edition installed in all PC in the
laboratories.
Page 21/27

22. My Success - Research

GNU C Compiler 4.0

TSLinux (OS untuk sistem terbenam, SBC)

Eclipse + OMNeT++

OpenCV (sistem imej pemprosesan)

Scilab menggantikan MATLAB
Page 22/27

23. Challenges

Compatibility


Web applications (IE only) → unable to access

Documents (doc, docx) → formatting!

Printer (device driver) → HP Smart Install!!


Web page (IE only!) → unable to access
Projector → issue on x-windows
Support

No/Less support from TOP to BOTTOM

No/Less skilled technicians/engineers/researchers
Page 23/27

24. Challenges

Changing people mindset (Most difficult part!)






Knowing alternative package/software in MS
Computer Interface (GUI click and drag) such as
GNOME, KDE, XFCE, Unity etc
Used to PIRATE SOFTWARE (aware or not)
Takes time to change to get used to OSS/FSS..
(productivity)
Not aware on the benefit of OSS/FS (although they
are using OSS/FS – Firefox, Mozilla, Chrome etc.)
IT Manager are not OSS/FS ready!!!
Page 24/27

25. Challenges

Computer Industries in Malaysia

NOT READY :(

No or Less Support



Dell Malaysia (www.dell.com.my) → No Support on
Linux
Dell Canada → customer able to request
On-going fighting with Microsoft

Windows 8

UEFI
Page 25/27

26. CONCLUSION



once upon a time GNU/Linux is difficult to use
but with current Distros.. it is easy
yes, it is NEW.. take times to learn (won't take
long to get used to it BUT you are ready to
learn Windows 8... :(
3 main issues (challenges)

M'Sian Computer Industries are not READY →
Monopoly by Microsoft (through UEFI)

Compatibility – Documents & Web Application

People → Skills & mindset (TOP to BOTTOM)
Page 26/27

27. Page 27/27