The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Linux Java Desktop System - for the bookshelf Major Keary |
The Java Desktop System (JDS) is a GNU/Linux-based Linux distribution from Sun
Microsystems, the developer of Java. It is a 'desktop' package designed for
users who want a graphical interface that provides "a consistent look and feel
across all desktop software" similar to Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop is both an overview of JDS and its system
requirements, and a manual for the 'live' CD that comes with the book. When
running JDS from the CD users should bear in mind that everything runs much more
slowly than the real thing installed on a hard disk.
The bootable CD enables a user to run JDS without interfering - such as changing
settings - with an existing operating system. The full distribution comes on
multiple CDs; the single CD with the book contains the operating system with a
limited number of applications, the principal one being a (fully functional)
installation of StarOffice 7. Also included are all the necessary applications
for Internet connection (ADLS, cable, and dial-up). In short, this is a
ready-to-go operating system with sufficient applications for general tasks. Its
purpose is to provide users with an opportunity to thoroughly 'test drive' Linux
in general and JDS in particular.
The book presents a very good introduction to Linux, the components used in JDS,
and how to find one's way about: setting system preferences, finding
directories, launching applications, setting a modem connection, networking,
wireless, using the terminal (command line), and so on. The procedure for a full
installation is described in detail, and there is a good explanation of how to
download and install applications with RPM (the Red Hat Package Manager).
The text includes a good manual and tutorial for the commonly used StarOffice
modules (word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations) with useful
information about importing Microsoft Office files. A useful chapter discusses
options for running Windows applications under Linux: WINE, VMWare, Win4Lin,
WINEX, and CodeWeavers Crossover Office. The information on CodeWeavers - the
authors' preferred solution - is quite detailed.
An appendix contains a detailed description of the RPM (Red Hat Packet manager)
system. Other appendices contain useful information, including sources of online
documentation (that contains even a StarOffice tutorial for children),
installation issues and troubleshooting, and Linux commands.
A good introduction to JDS with a live CD that enables readers to see for
themselves how easily it works and whether a particular machine has adequate
system resources.
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Tom Adelstein and Sam Hiser: Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop ISBN 0-596-00752-3 Published by O'Reilly, 390 pp. + CD, RRP $65.00 incl. GST |
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Note that this title is not a normal stock item in Australia; it can be ordered
from the local distributor, Woodslane http://www.woodslane.com.au.
The JDS Software
The software and documentation can be purchased/downloaded from
http://www.sun.com.
Why pay for a distribution when others are available free? This is a
vendor-supported product and has been designed to provide a common graphical
interface for all the component applications.
Reviews of JDS can be found at DistroWatch.com (note the use of uppercase
letters); the site is mirrored at
http://www.distrowatch.hostcentral.net.au,
which is more convenient for local users. It is strongly recommended that anyone
interested in the full JDS installation should read the reviews. Indeed, anyone
interested in Linux should visit DistroWatch.
Reprinted from the April 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
