TECH&TRENDS OPEN SOURCE `Automation for Microsoft-based Systems is a Lot Harder than Linux-based Systems’ Umeed Kothavala, CEO, Extentia Information Technology, shares insights about open source solutions in demand by businesses by technology magazines. This was a boon for many who could not afford downloading costs. Popular Linux distros in India are: Top-tier distros: Debian, SUSE, Fedora, Mandriva, Ubuntu Mature 2nd-tier distros – Slackware, Gentoo, Arch & Centos Newer 2nd-tier distros – PCLinuxOS, Puppy, Sabayon, Linux Mint How easy it has been to customize open source solutions in order to cater to the particular needs of the client? Are there any blocking issues faced? There are varying levels of effort needed to customize open source solutions for client needs. There are several factors How has been the adoption of the LAMP that impact this decision - including thinking about long stack in Indian SMBs? term-maintenance, optimization of the platform, initial Linux-based web hosting solutions have one of the effort and choosing the right tools to start with. These largest markets in India. They are becoming increasingly factors are coupled with the customer’s plans - by better popular among Indian companies primarily because of understanding short and long-term needs and plans, we the cost factor. The availability of the LAMP stack-based are able to pick a platform appropriately and determine servers has made it easier for companies to deploy the level and extent of customization needed. In general their applications faster. Indian service providers like to and wherever possible, customization is not recommended program in languages like MySQL, PHP - therefore, LAMP - we need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of such a stack-based servers have been popular in India from the decision and take a holistic view of needs, effort and long- very beginning. term management. Another important factor is the fact that automation for Microsoft-based systems is a lot harder than Linux What trend do you notice in the training based systems. Support for Microsoft is expensive, which required (post-deployment) for end- may not be quite feasible for startups. This is comparatively users to get familiar with open source cheaper in case of LAMP stacks. solutions? Do certain applications require a high learning curve compared What has been the trend in choosing to others? Linux distros by clients in India and In general every effort is made to minimize the learning for how is it dependent on vertical or size of end-users after deployment. Whether using open source the company? or other platforms, the focus should be on ease of use Each of the Linux distributions has a distinct set of features, and usability. Users should need to have or care about the its own outlook and methods. It is crucial for enterprises underlying technology and framework. User training needs to pick the right one that suits their needs. In the late 90’s, to focus on getting productive and efficient, accessing the Linux distributions started to flourish in India through features of the system, maintenance and management of computer magazines. The adoption of Linux was slow since user-level information, inventory, data, etc. and reporting. Internet bandwidth in India was expensive at that time. In well-designed systems, this training focuses on exposure However, this problem was quickly solved through the to aspects of the delivered solution, rather than rote distribution of cover CDs containing full Linux distributions memorization of rules, workflows and key strokes. 56 PCQUEST J une 2 0 1 3 pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected].