Open Source desktop imaging

Recently I was wondering if there is a alternative for imaging solutions like Altiris Deployment Solution, Ghost, and Acronis. Why? Because they cost money, for a simple task.

I discovered PING, that stands for Partimage In Not Ghost. The basic component is an .iso image that allows you to clone a machine. A simple Windows server can be used for central image storage.

Some additional files are available for download, that modify your Windows RIS installation, so that the PING-made images can be installed over the network. You can also use TFTPD32 in stead of RIS for PXE booting your PC’s.

PING is a simple, but effective solution for image deployment over your network.

My new pet: Leopard

This Friday I decided to upgrade my MacBook from Tiger (Mac OS X 10.4) to Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5). Before the upgrade process I made a backup of my entire machine and a separate backup of by Windows Vista bootcamp partition.

After booting the Leopard DVD, the installer asked me the destination disk and a couple of times Next. First I thought that the installation was going to be a clean install, because there was no visual detection of my existing installation.

After two hours the system booted with Mac OS X Leopard, including all my existing applications. Even the Windows Vista bootcamp partition was still in tact.

Within the Windows Vista bootcamp partition I upgraded the software to Apple Bootcamp 2.0, which is on the Leopard DVD.

I played around with the new features learned from the Mac OS X Leopard Guide Tour. Spaces is a kind of virtual desktops. One feature I really like is Cover Flow.

Cover Flow is a way to visually search your documents. Documents are instantly shown as you browse through them.

For those that still hesitate, Leopard is cool and the upgrade is easy.