Use of Freeware on Shipboard Computers

During a conversation with one of my company superintedent regarding the usage of computers onboard ships, it struck me why not use free softwares on board ships for general purpose jobs. I kept on thinking about pros & cons about setting up computers with freewares readily available.

First, Let us see a real life scenario. A ship with following computers -
1) Bridge Computer with email Setup.
2) Master's Cabin Computer.
3) Chief Engineer's Cabin Computer.
4) Loadicator Computer in CCR.
5) Computer for General use in Ship's Office.
6) Computer for General use in ECR.

Additionally one server for PMS, Reporting etc.

All the above computers are networked except Loadicator Computer.

All the above computers likely to have some version of WINDOWS & OFFICE software from M$. Now each license of WINDOWS & OFFICE costs money even if the computer comes preloaded with these softwares. Though bulk license purchases reduce the costs considerably, still cost is a cost.

Now let us look at the alternatives of WINDOWS -
1) Apple MAC OS - this comes 'only' with the hardware, so costs money.
2) Linux - does not cost money to use.

So, obvious choice here would be LINUX. Now first problem with migration from windows to linux is compatibilty of softwares. Most softwares those are specific for shipboard use are not likely to work with linux. These softwares will include PMS softwares, email programs, Loadicator programs etc. Second problem will be user un-friendly nature of linux. Third problem is not all hardwares are supported by linux.
Above three problems are major problems that come to my mind regarding linux, there could be many more problems, but let us focus on these three.

Before we go about discussing above problems, let us look at the alternatives of M$-OFFICE -
1) IBM Lotus Symphony
2) OpenOffice
3) StarOffice

There are many more, but these three are free and widely supported. But that is not best part, best part is these are available in both WINDOWS & LINUX versions. So migration from Windows to Linux can be done in stages. First remove M$-Office from Windows computers and install windows version of one these office suites, then after a certain period, when users are fairly comfortable & confident enough with these packages. Windows could be removed & Linux could be installed and Linux version of the same office suite could be used.

Many other softwares such as Firefox & Adobe Reader are already available in Linux versions, so migration is fairly easy with these softwares.

Now comes the implementation part of Linux - Linux comes in various flavors. But the version comes to my mind regarding user friendliness is 'UBUNTU LINUX'. Do not mind the name, as flavors of linux are given such crazy names mostly. But best part is this can be run from a 'Live CD/DVD' and optionally can be installed on a hard disc.

Now why I say this is best part, imagine a virus attack, a hard disk crash or a corrupted Windows installation on your computer and your computer becomes virtually useless. Imagine the countless hours of re-installing windows along with other programs and you will appreciate the use of 'LIVE CD/DVD'. It is a CD or DVD with a working installation of Linux and Other useful programs such as office suites, web browsers and various other programs. Your computer will become useful after disaster in minutes.

Above I had mentioned few problems with Windows - virus attack, corrupted installation, crash of system - I won't go as far to say that they are unheard of in linux, but I would say that these problems are much much less in Linux.

Support of various hardwares are increasing day by day for linux, as most of the computers on board have similar configurations & minimum required hardware, problem regarding this should be minimum. Though support for Printers, Scanners & Cameras could be a problem.

Now let us go back to the list of the computers on board -
Computer number (1) & (4) are likely to be WINDOWS computer as loadicator & email programs might not have a linux version in a hurry. But the other computers can very well be switched over to Linux.

I will continue this in my next blog, till then feedback, comments, suggestions are welcome.

SIDDHARTHA BOSE
CHIEF ENGINEER
DMET (1991-1995)