[ale] Fedora and RHN?

Fri Nov 7 11:56:05 EST 2003

On Fri, 2003-11-07 at 11:30, walter Sams wrote:
> Geoffery,
> 
>  I am using OpenOffice 1.1 for an office suite, hylafax for faxing and a
> Linux program Called APPGEN for accounting.  

APPGEN is dead. They shut their doors just a few weeks ago. Many
distributors and customers are _really_ _pissed_.

Accpac can support a hosted version of things (it runs on windows) to
use a linux client with a browser. I've been wrangling with them for
about a year now to get a Linux server system. The database can run on
Linux, but the application code layer is a windows product.

I use sql-ledger for accounting and have my database setup so that
OpenOffice can access the customer and AP tables for sending letters
when needed. Eventually, I'll get the autobill script finished :)

There are various CRM apps that different levels of functionality, ease
of use, learning curve, etc. Compiere is at the top of the pile in terms
of what it does. It is HUGE, does everything (makes coffee and can lay
carpet, I think), runs on an Oracle database, uses a java client.
BrowserCRM is much tamer. There is also Nola (free and NolaPro -
non-free).  POS app is BananaPOS.  There are also a few others I have
found on freshmeat. I use sql-ledger extensively and am working on some
custom modifications to suit my needs. It can import from Quickbooks
fairly well. In fact, it can import from basically any CSV/text file
with a bit of modification. 

A migration FROM RedHat to anything else is not a big rush project as it
will still be around for a while longer. The best migration path would
be to setup a new machine and new apps and learn how to use them there
then migrate old data over when ready and repurpose the old server. 

I'm dickering with Fedora (dying CD drive is holding me up). It looks
like a very well designed RedHat 10. 

> I will check with my accpac
> vendor to see what would be needed to switch.  They may have to help. 
> mail routing is handles with programs which came with the rh
> distribution.  I have a VISOR (palm pilot wannabe) which currently is
> not configured, I would like it to be.
> 
> I like the idea of the safety net.  
> 
> I will drop you a note after I speak with the accpac person
> 
> This is looking more like I need a written plan and not something that I
> just "do"
> 
> Thank you
> Walter Sams
> 
> 
> On Fri, 2003-11-07 at 09:52, Geoffrey wrote:
> > walter Sams wrote:
> > > Thank you for yoru reply, looks like you actually have an idea as to 
> > > what needs to be done.
> > 
> > Yeah, BTDT..  The dual boot upgrade/install is the way I generally 
> > update my existing boxes.  My primary box was upgraded in this fashion 
> > from SuSE 8.1 to SuSE 8.2.  I've just installed SuSE 9.0 on my laptop, 
> > thus it's a tri-boot with SuSE 9.0, RH 7.3 and the Xtremely Potent 
> > variant of the Microsoft virus.
> > 
> > > <Once I am configured properly do I then uninstall RH?
> > 
> > Yes.  The reason for retaining the RH is so that if, for what ever 
> > reason, you can't get the new install to 100% mimic your work 
> > environment, you have an easy fall back.  It's not that I would expect 
> > that to happen, just that you want your net under you when you're on the 
> > high wire.  Just as you do backups.  Not that you expect to use them, 
> > but just in case...
> > 
> > <snip>
> > 
> > >> If this is a production env, then that's not a likely solution.
> > >> What kind of down time can you afford?
> > 
> > > I run a heating and airconditioning contracting business
> > > and could probably do without my computers for a couple of days
> > > if needed.
> > 
> > It shouldn't take that long, but again, it's dependent on how much 
> > unique stuff you've got on the various boxes.  I've got all kinds of 
> > stuff hanging off my primary box (wacom tablet, usb scanner, modem, palm 
> > sync cradle, capture/tv card/camera, usb camera, networking, dual head, 
> > wireless keyboard/mouse..). I've done the dual boot upgrade in less than 
> > 1/2 a day.
> > 
> > <snip>
> > 
> > >> What are the boxes used for?
> > 
> > 
> > > The main server handles the accounting package and office suite
> > > and is the data storage location for all programs, the fax server
> > > handles the faxing and email (interoffice with only 1
> > > outside internet connection), clients can all run the accounting,
> > > office suite and evolution.
> > 
> > Okay, specifically, what are the packages? It can make a difference if 
> > they are rpm based, or vendor provided installtions.
> > 
> > >> The clients would likely be pretty quick, as long as you're not
> > >> using them for too esoteric stuff.  What kind of downtime can you
> > >> afford?
> > >> 
> > >> The dual boot is a reasonable conversion solution, if you've got
> > >> the disk space and can afford the downtime.  If you don't have the
> > >> spare disk space, you can purchase an extra drive, do the first
> > >> install on it, and then move the old drive to the next box,
> > >> install, and on down the line.<Sounds like the mandrake tech who
> > >> said that it was just a simple upgrade might not have known what he
> > >> was talking about?
> > > 
> > > It looks like I need to look into this futher to determine everything
> > >  that needs to be done before actually installing anything.
> > 
> > Yes, you most certainly want to identify the specific packages and then 
> > have them ready for the installation.  You'll also need to be absolutely 
> > sure you back everything up.
> > 
> > > 
> > > Do you have SWAG as to how long something like this would take, I
> > > might need to plan on having a shut down of my office.
> > > 
> > > (SWAG= some wild ass guess)
> > 
> > It's highly dependent on the packages.  For example, the accounting 
> > package.  You'll need to be sure that you've got the data backed up and 
> > that there is a solution for migrating the existing data to the new install.
> > 
> > I would say you could likely complete it in a weekend, maybe faster.
> 
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James P. Kinney III          \Changing the mobile computing world/
CEO & Director of Engineering \          one Linux user         /
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GPG ID: 829C6CA7 James P. Kinney III (M.S. Physics)
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