350,000 Linux (Virtual) Desktops Land In Brazil 109
xufem writes "Millions of Brazilian schoolchildren will soon be 'brought up right' running Linux on over 350,000 seats each using PC sharing hardware and software from Userful and KDE. This is world's largest virtual desktop deployment and probably also the world's largest Linux deployment, and seems to have been selected over OLPC by Brazil. Definitely a moment to celebrate — and just in time for Brazilian Carnival which starts tomorrow!"
Tell me when it's done (Score:2, Insightful)
The Brazilian government is really good in announcing things, but not really good in making them happen. ie http://br-linux.org/2008/um-ano-apos-fiasco-governo-marca-novo-pregao-por-laptops-educacionais
So let me know when they start to deploy it.
Re:Big mistake. (Score:3, Insightful)
Pfft, troll... especially implying that using Linux leads to gout... lol
Seriously though, the basic day-to-day operation of Windows, Linux, OSX, etc... is about the same as the various types of the english language, yeah we stumble on some metaphors, and references, but I can switch between them all quite easily, besides where the "work" gets done, is in the software UI, which is even more seamless between OS's...
RIAA math. (Score:4, Insightful)
350,000 virtual desktops is as meaningful as "The equivalent of 421 CD burners [theregister.co.uk]." Nowhere in the article does it actually give meaningful numbers like the maximum number of concurrent users, or the actual amount of server hardware, or what sort of workstations will be hosting those virtual desktops.
So... (Score:5, Insightful)
This reminds me of the Apple ][ in school. Apple had a huge education discount back then. In hopes that kids will grow up with the Apple ][ and Macs and then will purchase them when they grow up. But the reverse effect happened. When they grew up they remembered all the problems they had when they were a kid and linked issues of the past with Apple (B&W screens (Most people I know still though well in the late 90's that all Macs were in Black and White), Incompatible floppy formats (Apple cant read IBM Disks, IBM Cant read Apple Disks), etc...) So using a PC seemed so much more modern, as the ones they used in schools as they were so budget conscious that they never updated their product line, still having Apple II well until the late 96 when they finally went with Windows 95 where the new PC's were so much better then the Apples.
This could have the same effect as well... Being a Virtual Desktop on a massive server over the Network it will seem slow and clunky to the kids especially once they are shown a modern Windows PC that their parents my have for work, or when they start to go to work. Also because Linux has much better security, when exposed to windows they will feel that it could do more.
So this could have the reverse effect on Linux Adoption.
Re:Not how I remember it (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, running virtual desktops over the network is not necessarily slow and clunky. Have you tried it? I've been doing it for years.
I do it all the time. But still compared to a real one, they are still clunky. The fast enough to be not annoying and useful. But still it sometimes when you get those subtle animations It makes it that much nicer to work locally. Although it depends on the work you are doing. I wouldn't do anything graphic intensive over Virtual Desktops (Stuff that really encourages kids to learn) and leaves the boring office like apps left.
Re:Hmm... (Score:3, Insightful)
Not to mention the headaches recovering a failed machine. Random software will decide that you've moved it to a new machine and will deactivate your serial number.
The last thing you need when everything's smoldering around you is to sit on hold with the vendor while they deactivate you old serial so you can reinstall the software you've paid for.
Linux has its flaws but being able to easily install a pile of software on a freshly deployed machine is a godsend.