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
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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
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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.....
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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19. My Success → Web App/System
ICT Dept.
Apache (web server)
MRTG (trafic monitoring and
stattistics)
Wireshark (Network diagnostics)
Joomla ( www.scceunimap.edu.my)
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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
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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.
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22. My Success - Research
GNU C Compiler 4.0
TSLinux (OS untuk sistem terbenam, SBC)
Eclipse + OMNeT++
OpenCV (sistem imej pemprosesan)
Scilab menggantikan MATLAB
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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
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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!!!
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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
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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)
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