Friday July 15, 2005

Two weeks

Welcome to my new blog here @ blogs.sun.com. I've only been with sun for 2 weeks, but so far it's a grand place to be. I really enjoy the team I'm working with, and the collaboration that seems to be encouraged throughout the company. I am a sysadmin by trade, with almost 10 years of experience... just a few more months to go. I'm sort of a platform independant sysadmin. I like Linux, the various BSDs, and the Solaris Operating System. But I'm also familiar with Windows NT4 through 2003 Server, and Cisco Routers, and various vendor's wireless gear. I think that each has their place, and that each do certain things well. I know that's a good way to start people ranting, and that's not my intent. It's just my opinion. Now, I might choose to personally run one operating system or another, and it doesn't really matter. My employers at various points have even required me to use, or prohibited me from using, various operating systems or software application, or even brands of hardware, and still... no matter what... the job will get done.

I am partial to the stability that the Solaris Operating System offers for production data center type environments, and I admit that that is one of the reasons I came to work for Sun Microsystems, but I will also admit that in the past, it may not have been the most productive desktop environment for the average business user to run. Lots has changed in the last 10 years, though, and I think we're reaching a place where the average business user could accomplish their daily tasks using a Sun Ray appliance on their desk, and leveraging distributed architecture that will provide seamless session mobility. But it all depends on the individual user's needs.

Now, in other news...

New laptop came in. Toshiba Tecra M2. I think I'll install Solaris 10 on it. Some people seem to have had pretty good experiences with it, but mileage can vary. Most of the problems seem to be centered around getting X working properly, but people seem to have solved that. What I don't know is if the built-in Bluetooth and Wireless are supported. I guess we'll find out...

I have to go to the store today to get a USB->Serial adapter, since this laptop doesn't have a serial port[ >:( ] so I guess I'll buy some blank media, too, and get some cd's burnt to start really playing around with this lappy.

My daily business use involves the use of Email, Instant Messaging, SSH, and a web browser. Solaris on the desktop will definitely meet all of *my* needs, and allow me to get done what I need to... provided the Bluetooth and Wireless work. :)