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NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

nhsbuntu.org

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Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#11

Post by merraksh »

setrofim_ wrote: post #6

It's nice to see something like this being proposed, but, the NHS probably have a tonne of bespoke software running on top of Windows, all of which would need to be ported. And given the fact that they don't have the funding to even keep their existing systems patched and up-to-date, a full-on migration is out of the question, unless the cash is raised...

True, but it's a long- vs. short-term cash problem. The new system would cost a lot in the first few years, but less on the long term as MS licenses won't have to be paid.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#12

Post by cvoss »

A quick whois lookup suggests the domain name was registered on April 26. This is after we knew about EternalBlue and DoublePulsar, but suspiciously before the May 12th onslaught of WannaCry at the NHS. Also, the domain status is "serverTransferProhibited" (https://icann.org/epp#serverTransferProhibited). Very interesting.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#13

Post by UK-AL »

merraksh wrote: post #11
setrofim_ wrote: post #6

It's nice to see something like this being proposed, but, the NHS probably have a tonne of bespoke software running on top of Windows, all of which would need to be ported. And given the fact that they don't have the funding to even keep their existing systems patched and up-to-date, a full-on migration is out of the question, unless the cash is raised...

True, but it's a long- vs. short-term cash problem. The new system would cost a lot in the first few years, but less on the long term as MS licenses won't have to be paid.

NHS would need to pay someone for Linux desktop support. It's normally as expensive as windows.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#14

Post by MayeulC »

danvesma wrote: post #4

its a very good idea – not a good name choice. Healthbuntu maybe at a push.

I would have argued that Deathbuntu sounds way better, but the name might be inappropriate there...

On a more serious note, I agree that the name choice isn't particularly good, but is *buntu really relevant? I get that it might appeal to the technical minded people (and the creators probably belong to that category), or may sound a bit familiar to the masses, but I don't see any reason for them to keep this part of the name.

I would have named it after a drug or a scientist, I think.

The bottom line is that the name itself isn't very relevant. A good name would be something easy to spell, and with a neutral conotation, not too hard to remember, but without attracting too much attention, as this is supposed to be just a tool.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#15

Post by parennoob »

signal11 wrote: post #9

I do think running hospitals on Linux is a good idea. However just sticking a skin over $YOUR_FAVORITE_DISTRO may not quite work. Hospitals have to work with proprietary devices -- for example, retinal scanners etc, many of which only have Windows drivers. Also, while updating individual Linux systems is easy, patching Linux at scale across the thousands of desktops in the NHS needs a proper, thought-out patching str…

> Hospitals have to work with proprietary devices -- for example, retinal scanners etc, many of which only have Windows drivers.

Then the tenders for buying those devices should state "Devices that work with $YOUR_FAVORITE_DISTRO will be given preference.". If it's a reasonable one, they will make a driver for it. Customer demand always generates product; and the NHS is about the biggest customer there is.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#18

Post by jhjasigyfe »

I struggle to see how swapping to an open-source alternative to Windows will effectively protect the NHS. Sure, this time it was a Windows exploit but it'd be as easy to find and use a Linux exploit. Sure there's the fact that Windows is vastly more popular, but telling everyone to switch to Linux? You've just made that more popular and a more likely target.

I'm an advocate of open-source software, but lets not pretend it'll solve everything.

Also, what about all the software they can't afford to replace? A lot of it is bespoke, and it's written for Windows. Don't pretend they have the money to port it. Their budget never will be the 350 million per week the public seems so obsessed with.

Finally, this is just Ubuntu, right? What's all the NHS branding for? If they're going to seriously consider it, surely they are going to look a bit further than the shiny surface NHSbuntu provides them.

Conclusion: Yes, use open-source operating systems, but no, it doesn't fix all, or sometimes even any, problems unless the code is thoroughly audited (shout out OpenBSD).

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#19

Post by UK-AL »

Sean1708 wrote: post #16
UK-AL wrote: post #10

Does it have something that is at least as powerful as active directory? If not, it's a no go for an organisation such as the NHS.

Active Directory works with Linux, I'm not sure how easy it is though.

It doesn't work very well with group policy.

Re: NHSbuntu – an OS for the NHS [video]

#20

Post by ageofwant »

signal11 wrote: post #9

I do think running hospitals on Linux is a good idea. However just sticking a skin over $YOUR_FAVORITE_DISTRO may not quite work. Hospitals have to work with proprietary devices -- for example, retinal scanners etc, many of which only have Windows drivers. Also, while updating individual Linux systems is easy, patching Linux at scale across the thousands of desktops in the NHS needs a proper, thought-out patching str…

The NSH simply states that Linux drivers will be provided and supported by the Vendor or no sale. This is not hard.
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