Re: GLAD, ZEMAX on Linux

Helpful person wrote:
jeff wrote:

SeekUp wrote:

My employer has made a policy decision to switch all pc's over to Linux
soon. Does anyone have any experience of using either GLAD or ZEMAX with a
Windows emulator (something like Wine, I suppose)?


I suggest finding a new employer.

--
jeff


Good idea

Or try to talk him out of that decision. I like Linux. My main desktop computer (typing this post on it) is running Linux Fedora Core 4 but beside it is a KVM switch which accesses an XP Pro and an antique Windows 3.11 machine from the same screen and keyboard. They're also tied by ethernet for file transfers and to the same printers and network access. I design, construct, and operate automated astronomical research telescopes which run under Linux as my primary business but to run useful application programs I always choose the native operating system. The cost of the additional PCs is negligible compared to the time wasted trying to do otherwise. Even if you do get the apps to run on the same physical machine the files typically aren't compatible and inter working between linux and the emulated (and usually crippled) OS is no easier.

In my opinion making an arbitrary decision to use only one OS in a complex technical business is very foolish. Use what works best for each application. I'm CEO and chief engineer so I get to make that decision for my company. I went though a brief period where an employer decided to switch from all PCs to Macs. Of course it was a disaster. I quit to start my own business, the best decision I ever made. Technical employees should be allowed to choose their tools, both hardware and software within reason. They'll be more productive and less frustrated if they do.
--
Lou Boyd
Director - Fairborn Observatory
http://www.fairobs.org
.

Relevant Pages

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