A Miniature Linux Office Solution (Mini ITX)

“Back in January of this year (2011) I was on-site at one of our
local client offices setting up yet another Microsoft Windows XP
system for a dedicated use. That PC is there just for running the
United Parcel Service (UPS) WorldShip™ software for the
client to enter UPS shipments off-line then batch upload them at
the end of the day. Of course that software “requires” a Microsoft
operating system to run. (As an aside, It irks me that people have
to buy a Microsoft license just to run software like this. When are
major companies like UPS going to realize it is in their best
interest to create this “free” software they give away to their
customers and make it available to run natively on Linux? Please do
not start with the “use WINE” comments. If I wanted “Windows”
software I would use a Microsoft OS. So would most Linux users, I
would bet.) When I was finishing up with the shipping system the
office manager asked me about setting up a dedicated system for
sharing scanned versions of all their client files. They want to
reduce the time it takes to look up client information in their
several thousand or so paper client records. I told her I would get
some prices together and send her some quotes for that.

“If you are a Linux administrator for a Linux/SAMBA file sharing
system in a mostly Microsoft based LAN you likely already have an
idea about my plan. I put together prices for some dedicated
Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives. I also put together a price
for what I call our Miniature Office Server or Miniature Desktop
PC. A system we build around a Mini-ITX board using motherboards
from two different manufacturers and Lian-Li Mini-ITX cases. This
system is installed with a limited selection of Linux distributions
depending on which motherboard is needed for the end-user’s desired
purpose. In this case I chose Mandriva as it is my personal
favorite and the end-user needs a relatively easy to use and
configure Linux distribution.”

Complete Story