You Asked for It—You Got It!
In response to Hey Microsoft! "Can MOM 2005 Help Small Businesses?" (December 2004, InstantDoc ID 44426), several readers let us know that they were disappointed that Microsoft didn't offer an evaluation copy of MOM 2005 Workgroup Edition. I'm pleased to report that as a result of that feedback, Microsoft has released a Workgroup Edition trial version that you can download from the company's Web site. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/mom/workgroup/evaluation/trial/default.mspx and check it out!
A Conventional Recovery Solution
The Buyer's Guide: "Exchange Recovery Tools" (March 2005, InstantDoc ID 45260) is inaccurate in its coverage of CommVault's product offerings. CommVault solutions fit the Conventional Recovery Solutions category of Exchange recovery tools that the Buyer's Guide highlights.
CommVault offers a unified platform called QiNetix, which has individual solutions that address the complete data management needs of Windows environments. For example, QiNetix Galaxy is our backup solution, QiNetix DataMigrator is our migration solution, and QiNetix Quick Recovery is our snapshot solution. Each is built on a foundation called the Common Technology Engine. As a result, they all share one GUI and the same data movement and data management solutions, offering end users unique advantages in terms of efficiency, operational cost, and training.
The QiNetix suite is certified with Microsoft platforms and is the official backup standard for the Microsoft System Architecture. For a more detailed description of the QiNetix suite and each product, visit http://www.commvault.com/products.asp.
Another Market for XP Starter Edition?
I enjoyed Paul Thurrott's Need to Know: "What You Need to Know About Windows XP Starter Edition" (February 2005, InstantDoc ID 44971). However, Microsoft is missing out on one very important market. I think this OS would probably be perfect for the older generations in the U.S. who are afraid of technology. XP Starter Edition might be the OS that would give them the courage to actually turn on a computer. Why not make it available here also?
Webmin to the Rescue
In [email protected]: "Building Linux Skills" (January 2005), Kazi Islam wrote in wondering how to see or access Windows shares on a Linux server. One open-source tool I recommend is Webmin (http://www.webmin.com), a Web-based interface for UNIX system administration that's available for virtually any Linux distribution. Webmin isn't a replacement for learning how to manage a server from the command line, but it certainly can help in many situations.
Enthusiastic About Linux
Dustin Puryear's "A Linux Primer for Windows Administrators" (November 2004, InstantDoc ID 44104) is a great article. But as a Linux enthusiast, I have to take offense to the comment that Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) packages are "the closest thing to a true package standard in the Linux world."
Dustin didn't mention Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) or Gentoo's Emerge command. Both of these systems have revolutionized the way Linux users get software. You simply type in the package name, and the software takes care of downloading and installing not only the package you requested but also any dependencies. Try that with Red Hat or Windows! Think of it like an Add or Remove Programs feature with every piece of software in the world on the available list. And both of these distros seem to have every package I want available, so who cares about a standard? If you do, Debian's Alien package will convert .rpm packages to .deb.
You're correct that RPM is not the only standard, but it's the most-used standard. As far as ease of use, RPM falls short of other methods, but with the right add-on tools, RPM can emulate the same functionality. As far as caring about standards, well, a lot of people do!
