TOC Linux

[Randy Jonasz]

Thanks Paul.

The articles you mention look really interesting.  One aspect of the debate
between proprietary and open source which I had not considered is
availability.   How much downtime do Windows computers have versus Linux.
Everytime you update Windows, a reboot is most likely required, while only
the updated process on Linux needs to be restarted.  I mean should we rely
on Windows for air traffic control software?  How much money is lost due to
downtime?  Then again you have to consider training costs for both
applications as well in your consideration.

If you strip away the hype, politics and fud, the issue is an interesting
one.


Thanks again,

Randy

On 2/27/06, Paul Sutton <zen14920-1HOZaDBbGgxaa/9Udqfwiw at public.gmane.org> wrote:
>
>
> Have a look at this site, it may be useful for your project,  but
> remember to list all sources of informatiion in a bibliography,   The
> article near the top on the right hand side, may be interesting,
>
> # Why OSS/FS? Look at the Numbers! (Paper) [Popular]
> # Why FLOSS? Look at the Numbers! (Presentation) [Popular]
>
> http://www.dwheeler.com/
>
> I guess one thing to consier is
>
> 1. If you replace Linux on the server, this is only a few computers,
> and as your a technican you are able to learn the software,
> 2. If you replace windows on the desktop, you are dealing with users (I
> am in no way suggesting users are incapable, I know  people who use
> computers but would rather, not,  use them,  where as others are a bit
> more open to chanage, while other users, are technically minded and will
> fiddle, and learn and be happy with a good manual on the software and
> don't need much help) suddenly expecting people used to windows and MS
> office to start using Linux / Open offiice isa big jump for some, while
> not for others,  so I guess you should take this into consideration
>
> Perhaps price out gradual changes, i.e change MS office to Openoffice at
> the next upgrade cycle,  or even before that give copies of Open office
> away to staff, and help them learn (books like sams tys openoffice.org
> are a good start.  and I guess reasonable price.
>
> Retraining costs, to the new software, lots of people can train staff in
> MS office, therefore a company that can train on OO.org may take
> advantage of what they see as a smaller market and charge more.  Take
> into account in house or external training.
>
> Retraining HR staff to look out for people with Linux desktop and Open
> office skills.   How many people are able to just switch,  I have no
> problem with this but Im 30 and have been using computers for long
> enough now to be able to just move to new platforms/
>
> Bye toc I assume you meant TCO (Total Cost of Ownership),  you could
> look at costs of virus / spyware infection. etc.  And generally when are
> you going to make the changes,  how long will this take,  and if you
> have to close the office, will the company lose money,  and is this
> ofset by the overall savings of using Linux on the desktop.
>
> Another thing on the desktop is - full desktop install vs ltsp,
> benefits,  and overall cost of mainenance, i.e with ltsp is centralised,
> and centralised data storage, therefore if a users computer breaks down,
> just take it out of the network and plug in a working one,  all user
> data, settings are pulled from central server.
>
> Are these suggestions any help.
>
> Paul
>
>
>
>
> Randy Jonasz wrote:
>
> > Hey everybody,
> >
> > I'd like some help doing my homework. :)  My project group at Mohawk
> > college have to give a panel discussion on the benefits of Linux on
> > the corporate desktop versus proprietary solutions aka Microsoft.  I'm
> > doing some reading of my own on TOC, but I'd like to survey some
> > opinions on tlug.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Randy
> >
> > --
> > Imagine no possessions
> > I wonder if you can
> > No need for greed or hunger
> > A brotherhood of man
> > Imagine all the people
> > Sharing all the world
> > --John Lennon
>
>
>
> --
> http://www.zleap.net
> http://www.openoffice.org
> http://www.linux.org
>
> -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
> Version 3.1
> GIT d S: a  C+++ UL++++ P+ L++ W++ N+ W---
> O! V!  PS+ Y! t+++ 5 X+++ R tv- b-
> DI! D++ G e H! r! z?
>
> -----END GEEK CODE BLOCK----
>
> --
> The Toronto Linux Users Group.      Meetings: http://tlug.ss.org
> TLUG requests: Linux topics, No HTML, wrap text below 80 columns
> How to UNSUBSCRIBE: http://tlug.ss.org/subscribe.shtml
>



--
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
--John Lennon
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gtalug.org/pipermail/legacy/attachments/20060227/3228fb35/attachment.html>