Academic Information Technologies at Iowa State has been developing system support for users of the Linux operating system since last winter.

That support is now ready for its close-up shot.

Linux Week, sponsored by AIT, begins Monday and will continue through Friday. The week includes lectures, demonstrations and InstallFest, which will give students, faculty and staff all the information they need to begin, or perfect, their use of Linux.

“It’s a matter of fairness,” said Jeff Balvanz, AIT system analyst. He said support for Windows and Mac OS users is well-established, and there has been a need for Linux support on campus for some time.

It is not known how many on campus are using Linux.

The week is designed to be a walkthrough for those interested in Linux. Beginning with demonstrations on Monday, students, faculty and staff are invited to play with Linux. At the InstallFest on Tuesday, AIT will help those interested get Linux running on their computer.

Balvanz said an operating system is “the program that makes the computer think it’s a computer. Windows is one, Mac OS is one and Linux is a third,” he said. “The idea is to introduce Linux to people and to showcase our software package. Maybe [people on campus] look at it as an alternative.”

Thomas Kula, AIT system support specialist, said the Linux computer operating system is popular with researchers and technically savvy students because a lot of programs and applications are written for it.

But he said the most appealing feature of the system is that “you can see the source code. You can tear it apart and play with it – it’s not just a black box.”

Dorothy Ohl Lewis, AIT director, said Linux appeals to researchers because of its speed in performing scientific applications.

“In an educational environment it is a great teaching tool,” Kula said. “The instructions are available so people can do what they want with them. If you’re using Linux you’re not dependent on someone else to make it work.”

Mike Rosulek, senior in computer science, switched from Windows 98 to Linux two years ago. He said Linux is an educational tool when a user has the time.

“It became too frustrating with Windows,” he said. “I’m kind of a power user so it provides more options for me.”

Rosulek said he has only changed Linux source code in a few programs because he doesn’t have the time it would take to customize each program.

“You can get as deep as you want into the inner workings of the software . at really any level you want,” Rosulek said.

Sam Umbach, senior in computer engineering, has run mostly Linux for the last six years and still uses Windows for some things. He said Linux is still complicated, but developers are working to make it more user-friendly.

“Somebody who’s not touched a computer before would not want to administer Linux,” Umbach said. “But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use a Linux machine.”

Firewalling and security, as well as the power to operate a server and remotely access a computer, are all benefits Linux can provide above and beyond the capabilities of Windows and Mac operating systems.

Kula said teams of volunteers developed the Linux operating system and the program’s source code is available on the Internet. Users can compile and modify it to fit individual needs.

There are many Linux distributions, including Red Hat, Mandrake and Debian, according to AIT. Iowa State Linux was created to help Red Hat users access the university network services.

“I don’t want people to be scared of it,” Umbach said. “I don’t want people to see it in a lab and think, `Oh, crap! It’s Linux, what do I do?’ “

Linux Week

Monday

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Demo Day, Durham Center Atrium

Test out Linux software with experienced users on hand to answer questions and give tips.

Noon to 1 p.m. – “What is Linux or What’s with the Penguin?” presentation in 144 Durham Center

Dave Edsall will describe Linux, giving history and use in current business and research communities.

Tuesday

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – “The Value of Software Freedom” presentation in 144 Durham Center

Joe Anderson will discuss software freedom and its importance for individuals and organizations.

3 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Linux InstallFest, 1230 Communications Building

Bring in a computer to get help installing Linux. Back up all files first.

Wednesday

Noon to 1 p.m. – “Administering Linux Systems” presentation, 144 Durham Center

John Dickerson discusses Linux system administration.

Thursday

Noon to 1 p.m. – “Practical Linux Security” presentation, 144 Durham Center

Greg Rice gives a general overview of Linux security and steps to improve it.

Friday

Noon to 2 p.m. – Show-and-Tell presentations and Question and Answer System, 144 Durham Center

Several presenters show applications and how they’ve been using Linux.