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OPEN SOURCE(UBUNTU) at IILM
by
Abdul Majid Khan & Nalin Chandra Jha
ABSTRACT
This case study is about implementation of Open Source Software (Ubuntu) at the educational
institution IILM. The case study tries to explore the issues faced during Pre and post
implementation of Ubuntu across all the campuses of the institute along with the challenges faced
finally getting the user accustomed for using the new technology. The case study tries to explain
how IILM overcame all the obstacles along with the steps taken for success of the project.
IILM(A brief introduction)
IILM Institute for Higher Education was started with intent to impart quality in the field of
education and equip young people with knowledge and skills which would help them, make
meaningful contribution of global competition. The institute offers academic programmes at both
undergraduate and postgraduate levels. IILM figures amongst the top ten business schools in India
for its Intellectual Capital and Industry Interface.
Introduction to UBUNTU
A free, stable, and secure operating system that you can try out riskfree? Opensource operating
system Ubuntu comes at a tempting price and offers many of the advantages of popular commercial
operating systems such as Windows and OS X.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is an operating system that is developed by a worldwide community of programmers as well
the operating system free of charge.
Being a Linuxbased operating system, Ubuntu has a welldeserved reputation for stability and
security. Historically, Linux has proven itself to be a workhorse server operating system, and this is
where, up until now, it has been most widely used and best known. As of June, 2007, 78 percent of
the world's top 500 supercomputers were running Linux, according to Top500.org.
However, in recent years, Linux has also become viable on desktop and laptop computers, making it
an option for individuals and businesses. Ubuntu is generally acknowledged to be the most widely
used version of Linux available, and Mark Shuttleworth, the founder and CEO of Canonical,
estimates Ubuntu has between six and eight million users. Because the software is free to download
and share, it is difficult to track exact usage numbers.
Ubuntu versus Windows and OS X
How does Ubuntu compare to the two bestknown operating systems — Microsoft Windows and
Apple OS X? The most obvious way is in the licensing and distribution terms. Ubuntu is "free
software" — a term which is often misunderstood to mean only free of cost. While Ubuntu is free of
cost, the term "free software" more accurately refers to the freedom to run the program for any
purpose, to study how the program works and modify it to your needs, to redistribute copies, and to
improve the program and release your improvements to the public.
Ubuntu also includes many of the programs used for everyday computing at no cost, unlike
Windows and OS X. Some examples are: Office Suite, Desktop Email Client, Web Browser,
Databases, Others, Updates and bug fixes.
Potential Drawbacks
Below are a few common challenges Ubuntu users use to encounter:
1. Installation
The biggest disadvantage is that whereas Windows and OS X usually come preinstalled on your PC
or Mac, a lack of widespread retailers offering preinstalled Ubuntu often means that you must
install the system yourself.
2. Hardware Compatibility
Another potential disadvantage related to the lack of widespread preinstalled Ubuntu is the issue of
hardware support. A small number of wireless networking cards and display drivers may have issues
or reduced functionality because some hardware manufacturers do not release the drivers that are
Linuxcompatible.
3. Software Availability
A final area that is a potential problem for people switching to Ubuntu from Windows or Mac OS X
is the availability of compatible applications. However, with the exception of commercial games, in
almost every case there is an equivalent application available for Linux.
The good news is that Ubuntu is norisk. Ubuntu can be tried out in a number of different ways
without removing an existing operating system altogether.
UBUNTU at IILM
Pre Implementation Issues (Technical issues, manpower issues)
As in any project the team that is implementing that project faces many issues before
actually implementing the project so they have to be prepared with all the solutions as well as unsual
(problems not thought of) problems that may arise. The problem faced by the us and my support
staff(Pervez, Deepak and Mandeep) were varied. The initial problem was that the team had to learn
Unix commands in order to solve networking issues. There were hardware problems like Ubuntu not
getting installed on Dell systems, printer sharing with more than one desktop, in case of electricity
or INTERNET breakdown during upgradation to a new version of Ubuntu then the whole system
crashes, installation of drivers was a problematic as it was command based using Unix as the
language to give the commands. Pervez and Mandeep had problems with respect to Ubuntu's
compatibility with LCD projectors and it was a critical factor as it is an equipment which is a part of
everyday's work. So the team had to work on finding optimum solution for working of Ubuntu with
the LCD projectors before the implementation. The main challenge was that there was less
manpower and issues kept cropping each day( before implementation) for which solution finding
and successful implementation required:
• Open office files problem ( formatting and other issues)
• Command problem with people (mount , unmount with pendrive)
Technical Issues
• Integration of Ubuntu with projectors
• Specific software for educational purpose like SPSS etc were not available with Ubuntu.
• Conversion of files from one format to the other was a problem... Like word files in open
office.
• Almost 90% of the users are new to Ubuntu.
• Ms office Vs OpenOffice
Manpower Issues
Had to learn Ubuntu troubleshooting . for eg... Printer installation, upgradation of ubuntu
from one version to another version, adjusting to terminal instead of command prompt and using
UNIX instead of DOS.
Post Implementation Issues ( Resistance to change towards new technology by faculty,staff,
students , Technical issues, manpower issues)
As with every new technology or software there is usually a resistance in accepting a new
technology and getting adjusted with it. Same happened at IILM. Teachers, Staff all were given
Ubuntu with Open Office. This marked a huge change in each and everyone's daily life because
everyone was accustomed with Windows and MSOffice. Initially there was a resistance towards
this huge change. People could not find the friendliness and ease of work that they had been used
too for many years as they had worked on Windows platform and MS Office almost everyday in
their life. Similarly students were provided with Laptops which had Ubuntu installed instead of
Windows. Students also have problems adjusting with the new Operating System and Open Office
instead of MS Office. Issues faced and reported by Teachers , Staff ans Students were : User
extension in open office was a big problem with many , features not as much good in quantity and
quality as compared to windows , installing of softwares on Ubuntu as it is on linux platform and
exe's are not allowed by Ubuntu for installation of any software , same commands used in open
office for the same tasks as in MSOffice but their output level is not as good as compared to
windows. for eg find command in open office. Problems were also reported with respect to crashing
of machine abruptly while upgrading the operating system version or system file upgradation.
Overall is was realized that the problems faced in daily work initially after getting Ubuntu were
high.
The technical staff had to face lot of issues each day as the teachers , staff and students
grappled to understand the system. They faced problem with respect to installation of new softwares
as required by the staff and teachers. for e.g. if someone required SPSS on Ubuntu or Thunderbird
on Ubuntu then they had to understand the installation steps themselves and implementation of the
same on one of the machines with Ubuntu and then later on installation of the software on the
required teacher or staff members machine. This hampered the daily work and utilization of time for
both the teachers /staff and the technical team. Often it happened that the problems increased to
such a extract that they lingered on for days till the solution was found by the technical team.
How we overcame the Issues
How we convinced ourself before teaching others regarding Ubuntu:
We were given the task to learn and teach Ubuntu to all in a very short span of time. So we had to
first convince ourself regarding Ubuntu and then teach the same to all. We didn't have much
problems but yes to an extent there were problem whose solution had to be found before training
everyone. For eg; formatting issues , conversion of files , concept of drivers in Ubuntu as compared
to windows, finding softwares and installing the same. The most important thing for us was to get
accustomed to Ubuntu because then only we would be able to teach others and instill in them the
confidence that they can use it and also tell them about its benefits.
Once we got the required confidence in couple of days then we tried to find the level of it in the
technical department which would be facing the issues apart from us. Luckily we had people like
Perwez, Deepak and Mandeep in the team who were aware of Ubuntu as an Open Soucre and had
used it a little bit. So we found that there confidence level was pretty good. They were excited about
Operating System to be used by all then there was no training session conducted initially as we
wanted the people to feel the new operating system and then come prepared with their questions in
the training sessions.
In order to tackle the problem faced by the teachers and staff there were training sessions organised
for getting acquainted with Ubuntu. Training sessions were organised for both the campuses i.e.
Lodhi Road and Gurgaon. Initially there was a hesitation from people and it can be said that there
was resistance to this change but slowly and slowly people started attending the sessions although in
small numbers but moreover tried themselves to understand the operating system as it became a part
of their daily life now. In training sessions people were given training with respect to the different
applications in Ubuntu along with file system, storage structure , installation of freewares provided
by Ubuntu. Also problems with respect to Open Office were also dealt with in the training session
like people were informed that they can store the files with windows file extensions (.doc , .xls , .ppt
) and send the same across to other people and then they will be able to open the same file in MS
Office. They were also informed about websites like www.zamzar.com which provide free services
for file conversion form one format to another.
Some of the interesting questions/views raised by faculties:
According to Ms. Surabhi ( Dean ) " Till when will this Operating System support be available?"
Ms. Malarizhi ( Finance faculty) " I cannot do formatting of my research papers which requires only
Times New Roman as a formatting style".
Ms. Rohini ( English Faculty)" If it is free then why is it not popular and why many people are not
using it?"
Mr. N Chandra ( Economics Faculty) " If everything in this is free then why are they providing it for
free and what is the revenue model for them?"
Ms. Deepa Bhaskaran(Faculty): Since i am well versed with Microsoft Office, i find Ubuntu less
user friendly. Convertibility of ppts made on Microsoft to that on Ubuntu is an issue. Many features
available on Microsoft office are not available here.
Ms. Daminni Grover(Faculty): Faced problem while accessing documents prepared in Windows.
Formatting get disturbed.
Ms. Garimella sai ramani(Faculty): Most of the problems are with the support software on the linux
platform, especially the Internet browser and the open office software. While the basic commands
for open office components may be the same, their utility level is comparatively reduced. Often the
search and find commands on the word and data processor sheets are found to be not of much utility
value at all. I find that the generally used components of open office software need to be more user
friendly.
Ms. Shegorika(Faculty): Took some time in adjusting. Not as user friendly as the other software.
Presentations and spread sheet are still a problem with me.
Dr. Anurupa B Singh(Faculty): It may be free software but has number of limitations in particular I
am unable to use E views and SPSS for data analysis
Dr. Sanyukta(Faculty); Lot of problems in formatting the documents and working in excel
Ms. Pallavi Ghosh(Faculty): Spell check needs to be better older files could not be used properly
fonts were inadequate
Getting Accustomed to the new technology how everyone started adjusting and using the
new technology
In order to get the faculties and staff accustomed to the new system it was realized that
training on Ubuntu is to be provided to them. In lieu of that, many training along with query solving
session were conducted for all the faculties and staff in which trainers used to provide solution of
the problems to the best of his abilities. Unresolved/complicated queries was supposed to be
answered after proper research done by the IT staff and then accordingly conveyed to the
faculty/staff concerned. Users started to adjust with the new system, when they realised that Ubuntu
had become a part of every day's work life, although it took time for everyone to get accustomed to
the new system. Though the faculties are using Ubuntu in their daily process but still the views
about it are not upto the mark. As a matter of fact, the older generation is resistant to change in
comparison to the younger. Consequently the senior faculties are unable to adapt properly with the
flow of time where as the younger generation has adapted as well as are being used to Ubuntu. The
later is being proved by the views/ideas expressed by faculties regarding Ubuntu. Some of the
faculties shared their mixed views after using Ubuntu for few months:
Ms. Deepa Bhaskaran: I don't find it user friendly software
Ms. Daminni Grover: I find Windows more user friendly than Ubuntu.
Ms. Garimella sai ramani While i do find openoffice an irritable software in the area of general
components, it has some very interesting components for scientific research, software which
otherwise come at a high price. the drawing tools for scientific activity are reported to be of
immense value for scientists and engineers.
Ms. Kavita Shukla: It is convenient in many ways, e.g..converting word into pdf's etc, It is virus
free, so that helps in smooth operations.
Ms. Shegorika: Little difficult to operate
Dr. Anurupa B Singh: Yes, but it need to be updated feature wise.
Mr. Harsh vardhan: Should go back to Windows.
Mr. Jones Mathew: It is not user friendly. Few features we use in MS Office are either non existent
or they are of poorer quality especially PowerPoint. Taking prints is a problem as formatting is
complicated. Generally, after even 6 months of usage I still feel much more comfortable on MS
Office.
Ms. Sanyukta: Not as user friendly as MS Office
Ms. Pallavi Ghosh: After the Crash it was bad. However, otherwise ok.
Dr. Anjali malik: not user friendly
Ms. Rohini Rode: Features are very limited
Ms Aparna Kaushik: Good, Since these practices always helps to upgrade one's skills. I am very
comfortable using the software.
Mr. Navneet Saxena: Its good. I'm happy to support open source.
Benefits (Cost component to be understood by the student, open source benefits , Life Span
of OS Ubuntu )
Once users started to use Ubuntu after its full implementation, then they began to realise the
enormous benifits of ubuntu.It was realised that there were lots of benefits of Ubuntu after the full
implementation was done in the IILM. It was found that the expenditure on Operating system and
Office software has virtually become zero because Ubuntu being an opensource is free and
openoffice is which came along Ubuntu was also free. Moreover faculties, staff and students
realized that they got many things for free along with the Ubuntu operating system like the Ubuntu
Software Center which comprised various free softwares under many categories like Education ,
Internet , Science, Games etc. Everyone realized that the campus has become virtually virus free
because Ubuntu doesn't allow any virus to enter the system. Also it was realized that a new version
is released by Canonical ( company which designs and does coding and releases ubuntu) every 6
months after the release of the old version. So in this manner users can get upgrade to a new system
faster and with more features. The company Canonical is committed to the task of taking Ubuntu to
newer heights as it takes pain to maintain a huge website (http://www.ubuntu.com)which comprises
of community , forums , latest news regarding Ubuntu whereby people can get solution to virtually
all queries related to Ubuntu. One of the reasons why Ubuntu is better than other Open Source
softwares is the fact that it has a Help which is vast and properly maintained.
Analysis
After analyzing over the data gathered through questionare and through the questions raised in the
training sessions and afterwards, following analysis was reached at:
There emerged three types of groups:
1. Rigidity towards adopting new technology
This group consist of those people who are rigid towards new technology and they don't want to
change.
Remedy for this group: We need to convince them that there is no deadline as such for them to
learn and adapt to new technology. They should take there own time, and we need to assure them
that we are with them and ready to help as and when required.
2. Self Assured group
This group consist of those people who understand technology but are convinced towards the fact
that Microsoft is better than Ubuntu or any other software technology.
Remedy for this group: We need to tell them about the advantage of Open source as a whole for the
organization. We have to tell them about the Institutional benefits and developments with respect to
Open Source in terms of cost, manpower, time and usability.
3. Commodious Group:
This group consist of those people who are not biased towards any technology but look only for
their own convenience. In this case these were those people who have been using Microsoft
products and have found convenience in their day to day work.
Remedy for this group: We need to convince them about the technical advantage of open source
software along with other benefits. We have to make them understand the wide features of Open
source like: Open source softwares have a consistency which other products cannot match, A
completely open development process means that anyone can report bugs, request new features, or
enhance the software. It may use it for any purpose domestic, commercial, educational, public
administration. It may install it on as many computers as we want. We may make copies and give
them away to family, friends, students, employees anyone they like. At the end we need to assure
this group that Open source software does everything, what we want.
A In house Case study
Submitted by,
Abdul Majid Khan & Nalin Chandra Jha
IT AREA