Omaja seeks to bring 'freedom of Linux? to Springfield

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Business owners who feel boxed in by their computing environment have more options than they might think.|ret||ret||tab|

Jayson Hickey and Matthew R. Scott formed Omaja Information Systems, 620 N. Forest Ave., a year ago. All of the company's services from office networking to customized software to e-commerce to Web hosting are based on the Linux operating system, according to Hickey. |ret||ret||tab|

The company didn't begin with its current Linux focus, Hickey said. "Our original idea was to offer Web site development and Web hosting, but after observing what other companies are offering in terms of operating systems mostly Microsoft and Novell-based systems we were inspired to go full-bore offering Linux," he said. |ret||ret||tab|

Scott, Omaja's chief technology officer, has extensive experience with Linux, according to Hickey. "Matthew's been working with Linux since it came out," he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Linux has an interesting and unconventional history, Hickey said. The operating system is named for Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds, who developed the first version in 1992 while still a student. |ret||ret||tab|

Torvalds' idea was to make the code absolutely free. |ret||ret||tab|

"This has allowed companies to take the Linux program and has given them the multi-billion resources of a company like Microsoft," Hickey said. "That's the culture of it." |ret||ret||tab|

But there is a catch, Hickey said. Programmers who modify Linux or produce new versions of the program must make the new code available to all. |ret||ret||tab|

This system allows the best and brightest programmers in the world to use the code, improve on it, and make the benefits of a better application available to anyone who wishes to use it for free. |ret||ret||tab|

You-know-who need not take it personally, Hickey said. "It's not that we hate Microsoft," he said. "But because (Microsoft's) a proprietary solution, you're limited in what you can do with it." |ret||ret||tab|

With Linux, "because there's no license, it's much less expensive to install and deploy," Hickey said. "A lot of businesses are moving to a digital environment to do business, and they're looking to do it cheaply." |ret||ret||tab|

Linux offers businesses a tremendous range of customizability, Hickey said. |ret||ret||tab|

"Linux gives you the freedom to make your system what you want it to be. You can't alter Microsoft or Novell solutions. With Linux, we can write software solutions to fit a company's specific needs." |ret||ret||tab|

And don't head to the dumpster with old computers just yet, Hickey said. "If you have a bunch of old machines in your back room, we can get those running again as workstations with Linux, because unlike other solutions, it will work on older hardware." |ret||ret||tab|

Omaja's first year in business and the next several to come will be focused on getting the word out about Linux and its benefits. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're spending a lot of time educating people on Linux and what it has to offer, especially to smaller businesses," Hickey said. |ret||ret||tab|

The recent Business and Technology Expo gave the company a chance to do just that. |ret||ret||tab|

"We were able to meet a lot of good folks and educate them about Linux and what it can do for their business," Hickey said. |ret||ret||tab|

Omaja Information Systems treated those who stopped at their booth to a virus demo and also showed off Win-4Lin, a program that bridges the gap between Windows and Linux.|ret||ret||tab|

Hickey said Omaja is poised to give local businesses what they will likely want in the future. |ret||ret||tab|

"Businesses are going to want the best software that works, and the most secure software that works, at the lowest possible cost," he said. "The next few years will be an advent of new options, and the new standard will be one of compatibility." |ret||ret||tab|

Security isn't a problem with Linux, according to Hickey. "It's one of the most secure systems out there, and it powers 50 to 60 percent of the Internet," he said. "It's also invulnerable to 99 percent of viruses." |ret||ret||tab|

While the company has clients in other states, Omaja Information Systems is committed to bringing Linux to area businesses that don't know this computing option exists. |ret||ret||tab|

"We've grown beyond all expectations this year, but Linux is still fairly new to Springfield, and Springfield businesses need this resource," Hickey said. "Springfield shouldn't be left behind when it comes to technology, and we feel that Springfield businesses shouldn't be caught in the trap of repetitive licensing, either." |ret||ret||tab|

Both Hickey and Scott enjoy their work. |ret||ret||tab|

"We love it because of the creativity it offers," Hickey said. "We're both creative people. We're able to take our creativity and funnel that into writing great code."[[In-content Ad]]