Re: Request Advice for Work Meeting on Why use GNU+Linux

[Bob Jonkman]

As a SysAdmin, I'd be more worried about the security implications of a one off 
device based on an uncommon hybrid of Xwindows on a Microsoft Windows laptop 
for use by someone unfamiliar with it, than a standard, well-supported 
GNU+Linux system in the hands of someone who understands it well.

But as someone else pointed out, arguing InfoSec against InfoSec professionals 
won't have the same effect as sticking to your BioStats expertise.

--Bob.



--
Bob Jonkman <bjonkman@sobac.com>          Phone: +1-519-635-9413
SOBAC Microcomputer Services             http://sobac.com/sobac/
Software   ---   Office & Business Automation   ---   Consulting
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On January 13, 2020 10:49:17 PM EST, lily via libreplanet-discuss 
<libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org> wrote:
>Hello All!
>
>I have a last minute question on how to prepare for a meeting tomorrow
>Tuesday 2pm Pacific Standard time. PLEASE RESPOND SOON!
>
>I work as a biostatistician for a hospital and when I started working
>there I requested a computer with a GNU+Linux OS. My request was
>promptly denied, because IT said they simply do not support Unix.
>
>But TOMORROW, there will be a meeting with the following objective:
>Discuss request for Providing a GNU+Linux operating system for a
>
>caregiver that will be using statistical software.
>
>The Principle IT engineer wrote this email in anticipation of the
>meeting:
>
>Greetings, I have passed information about this meeting to the manager
>
>of the Unix Server Operations team in case he wants to get anyone
>
>involved. I am also very concerned about the management and security
>
>of such a one off device. Given the network nature of Unix/Linux is
>
>there any reason that a Linux client server couldn't be provided
>
>instead with an X Windows Server provided on the Windows laptop to
>
>connect and utilize software that is installed (and hopefully managed)
>
>on the server?  While this is overkill for a single user I suspect
>
>that there are a lot more users in the various informatics departments
>
>that might welcome such a service. I hope this helps stir up some
>
>ideas.
>
>Principle IT Engineer
>
>My background is in mathematics/statistics, but I am a supporter of
>Free Software because of all the good reasons why Free Software is
>what it is. I do not have any technical background with regard to
>servers, server client, network, etc and so I feel I will struggle
>with explaining why I made this request, why I think this is a good OS
>for serving our patients, and why it would be good for the long run to
>support GNU+Linux OS computers.
>
>My question for the Libre community is: How do I present my case for
>
>tomorrow to explain why it is beneficial for IT at this hospital to
>have support
>
>caregivers that wish to work on a computer with a GNU+Linux OS?
>
>Please help!
>
>Thank you!
>
>Crista