Sun lights no fires under Linux

The Linux desktop is almost ready for prime time. Almost, I said.

That’s no mean feat, considering the two big challenges it faces in the workplace. On one hand, enterprises have relied for years on the potential manageability of the Windows platform, but on the other hand, many users equate slicker graphics with better performance. Unfortunately, pretty pictures aren’t enough to convince IT administrators that there’s anything as manageable as a Windows desktop is; if that were the case, Apple would rule the desktop.

Sun’s Java Desktop System (JDS) 2003 has all the graphical chops expected in the current crop of Linux desktop environments, but it falls short on the sort of manageability features that are important in corporate settings. Granted, there are many things that expert users could accomplish with an SSH connection and shell scripts, but manageability is exactly the point on which Sun needs to hang its hat.

To its credit, Sun is preparing to address this major shortcoming later in the year. As for when, the best I could get out of Sun’s spokespeople was a cagey “second quarter” (Sun’s briefing documents indicate March availability for the server-based tools). The one thing I am sure of is that it will be branded N1, since that’s where one’s attention keeps getting directed when one asks questions on uncomfortable topics like systems management.

So for now, what is there to separate Sun JDS from some of the other Linux desktops? On the surface, not much: The basic JDS installation includes, to no one’s surprise, Java 2 Standard Edition and StarOffice 7 — except in some Asian language environments, where users must make do with the stripped-down StarSuite. (There’s no small amount of irony there, given Sun’s anticipation of capturing market share in Asia.) Beyond that and a tarted-up version of the Mozilla browser, JDS superficially looks much like last year’s SuSE Open Desktop environment — but with the GNOME desktop instead of KDE.

Under the hood, however, Sun has made such an effort to add value that it would be cruel to call JDS just another desktop system. For example, Sun’s network browsing tool compares quite favorably with the attempts of other vendors. Plus, Sun claims to have made an extra effort to ensure that the software packaged as part of JDS works together smoothly. This approach to packaging can make for a more stable user experience, which fits the needs of the users Sun is targeting for JDS — which is just about everyone who doesn’t consider himself a power user.

This approach flies, because frankly, for most people the day consists of some e-mail here and there, some typing, the occasional spreadsheet, and some Web-based applications. These are the kinds of users for whom canned desktop environments are built. On all of these fronts, Sun JDS stacks up nicely against Mac OS X and Windows. With a per-user annual license of $100, it looks even more attractive, especially to shops looking to reduce their dependency on Microsoft.

My own lab experience with Sun JDS got off to a rocky start — see “How I Tested” online for details — but in many ways, it was about what I’d expected. In short, I had the same kinds of problems with network and video drivers that still feature in the nightmares of anyone who has ever supported Windows NT. But once those were behind me, it was smooth sailing.

Besides Star Office and the Ximian Evolution mail client, JDS has a full complement of utilities and productivity tools, as well as a selection of some nonproductivity (cough, cough — games — cough) software.

Overall, Sun JDS is as slick and as stable as one can expect. Although it doesn’t have the visual appeal of the Mac’s Aqua user interface or the manageability of Windows desktops, it’s close on the first count, and I’m eager to see what Sun’s done to make JDS manageable on an enterprise scale. That’s the challenge: Sun has to get desktop management right for there to be a compelling reason to buy JDS instead of Joe-Bob’s Linux Desktop.