Welcome to Linux for IT Managers Course Guide

Computer Software has evolved exponentially in the past three (3) decades to be
one of the key drivers of technology innovation and change in the field of Infor
mation and Communication Technology (ICT). In recent years, computer software h
as grown to be of wider importance than the hardware and the physical computing
resources used to run that software. Computer Software has been known to contrib
ute over 30% of the total cost of project implementation of common ICT projects.
Computer Software makes it possible to use a piece of hardware or computing res
ource. With the trend towards the development of hardware platforms that can run
multiple software platforms coupled with Virtualization and the delivery of Sof
tware and a Service, the need for appropriate software cannot be over emphasized
.
Computer software can be grouped into two broad categories i.e Proprietary Softw
are and Open Source Software. This categorization is broadly based on the availa
bility of the programs source code controlled through an appropriate license or
regulation and not necessarily on the disclosure of the source code that drives
that particular application. The computer program source code can be disclosed a
nd shown to all or a groups of persons but yet still remain as proprietary softw
are. On the other hand, open source software is a type of computer software that
focuses on the total disclosure of its source code and the subjection of the so
urce code to an appropriate license that encourages the participation of a wider
community in its enhancement and modification.
Though this manual is focused on Free and Open Source Software, of which the Lin
ux Operating System is one of them, and its wide application areas, it is not th
e intention of the author(s) to exclude or underrate the availability of possibl
e proprietary software alternatives. The decision on the implementation of a par
ticular piece of software should be based on a sound business model that supports
specific business requirements. In the consideration of which software to use f
or which need, it is important to maintain a holistic approach where other facto
rs, not necessarily considered in this manual, should be addressed. In line with
this way of thinking, this manual will seek to mention available proprietary so
ftware that can be used to achieve similar results.
This manual is organized into Nineteen (19) modules covering various topics as s
ummarized below: