Experts Available to Discuss Use of Debian for Software Management.

TOPIC: One of the biggest issues system administrators must deal with is software installation and updating, according to an article by Computerworld Today. Marc Merlin, a system administrator with Google, says he chooses Debian GNU/Linux because it allows a person to decide what they wish to upgrade without having to upgrade the entire system. Merlin developed a program called "getupdates," which he uses to keep client software and the central server synchronized.

EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Chris Fearnley, president and CEO of LinuxForce, Inc., has been a pioneer in the development and promotion of Linux systems. In 1993, he recognized the superior value of the Linux operating system, given its stability, power, flexibility, scalability and cost-free availability. Based on his belief in Linux, he founded the company that was to become LinuxForce, Inc. in 1995 to help organizations develop and maintain business-critical Linux-based systems. He designed LinuxForce's "Remote Responder" product line, which is the preeminent Debian-based outsourcing solution for Linux systems management and monitoring in the Philadelphia Area. Chris started introducing Linux to the greater Philadelphia region in 1993 with his leadership position in the Philadelphia Area Computer Society (PACS). He founded the Philadelphia Linux User's Group in 1996 and remains active in the organization. He founded the Philadelphia Area Debian Society in 1999.

Ian Murdock is co-founder, chairman, and chief technology officer of Progeny. As chairman and CTO, he is centrally involved in defining Progeny's technology and business strategies, and in establishing and maintaining key relationships with customers and partners. Ian served as the company's president and chief executive officer from the company's inception in November 1999 to August 2001. With more than a decade of experience in the software industry, Ian played an instrumental role in the transition of Linux from hobby project to mainstream technology by creating Debian, one of the first Linux-based operating systems (called distributions). Ian led the Debian Project from its inception in 1993 to 1996, building it from an idea to a worldwide organization of more than 100 people. Today, Debian is one of the most popular Linux platforms in the world, with millions of users worldwide. Debian is also widely considered one of the most successful and influential open source projects ever launched: More than 1,000 volunteers in all parts of the world are currently involved in Debian development, and the founding document of the open source movement itself was originally a Debian position statement. He played a central role in drafting the original Linux File System Standard (predecessor of the Linux Standard Base) and continues to advocate Linux standards.

John Brahy has developed several applications for ad2, Inc. clientele, including The Opportunity Pipeline, a Web-based tool that allows companies to access, manage and organize information in real-time and several applications developed for specific customer needs. He started his first consulting agency when he was 16 years old, and specialized in building computers and installing software. John is currently focusing on writing web-based applications. The current technologies have ranged from JSP, ASP, Cold Fusion, Perl, C/C++ on Linux, Solaris, OpenBSD, Debian GNU/Linux, Redhat and Windows utilizing applications such as Oracle, MySQL, MS-SQL, Macromedia Flash and others. Some of the clients John has written applications for include DirecTV, Redback Networks and Sony Pictures ImageWorks, Warner Home Video, General Bandwidth, Columbia Tristar Home Video, Accel/KKR, KPMG, Blair Racing and many more. Most of the applications are still in use today. John has been involved in computer and network security since the early 1980s and has worked with the Long Beach Computer Crime Investigation Division as a forensic consultant in Unix based incidents.

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