Linux for small business

David Mandala plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
26 Apr 2002 12:10:11 -0700 

I am sorry that you don't think it is accurate. So some points:

It is quite clear that you have not looked at KDE & Open Office in the
last 6 months. There is very little if any retraining costs involved.
Since they primarly use the accounting software that will still be
installed there again there is no cost of retraining.

The single cost of converting might be canning your windows admin and
hiring a Linux/Unit one, but since the costs are the same again there is
no new costs involved. Well actually it does cost money any time you
fire and hire so there would be some costs associated there. Hower if
the business outsources its support which many that size do (<25
systems) you simply outsource to a Linux/Unix shop/person.

If the people used lots of packages there might be some retraining costs
involved but if the packages used are basicly Office the existing
replacements use the same key strokes and memus systems that are close
enough to the MS Office menus as to more equilavant to a MS upgrade
where they change their menu structure a small amount.

In a Windows 95  - 98 environment there is no way to control what gets
installed, if the user has access to the machine they can install
anything. Windows NT, 2k and XP change taht but the described systems
would require an upgrade (more money spent) to gain that ability. 

Now in terms of the BSA if you are using Linux and know what is
installed on your machines you can simple tell the BSA to take a hike.
They can try for a court order but they will have to show proof that you
own a software package that they are entitled to addit. Then and only
then MIGHT a judge grant a court order to gain access to your systems.
Then they could possible do an audit. 

The BSA's hammer is that they will put it too you if you don't allow
them volantary access and the manage to gain access and you are out of
complance you get hit with the cost of their audit and fines. If you are
using open source software their threat is nill, you can not be out of
complance if you are all open source. 

If you only have one machine that is Microsoft and that is closly held
in complance again you have no fears let them audit at their cost and
you are clear.

If you have a larger installed base of Microsoft machines the odds are
you are out of complance somewhere and more then likely lots of
somewheres since somebody will have installed something and you are on
the hook for it.Look at the school systems in Washington state and look
at the threats they are now facing. 

Indeed you are correct that prop software can be damaging to a business,
add that to the additional costs and threats and the lost cost of
conversion today and you have a very very strong argument for switching
over post haste..

There is no reason to switch to Linux just to spite Microsoft but rather
to save big bucks over time. 

I am working on converting some small business to Linux, it works, it's
cheap and it's solid. The tests are showing that the adverage office
worker does not percieve the difference, they log in, they edit files
they print files, they leave.

Cheers,

Davidm

On Fri, 2002-04-26 at 10:49, Derek Neighbors wrote:
> I am the a HUGE supporter of Free Software, but I dont think this is 
> accurate.
> 
> > Just because you own the starting software does not mean it is free. You
> > can save money in quite a few areas:
> 
> I agree, but you are totally ignoring the cost of actually switching 
> systems and retraining employees.  This is a REAL cost.  As much as I love 
> GNU/Linux, it is often not cost prohibitive to switch to GNU/Linux simply 
> to spite Microsoft.
> 
> > A: Support. Linux is stable unlike the Win 95 -98. This saves money in
> > several ways:
> > 
> > 	1) Little to no downtime, Windows 95 -98 require rebooting taking away
> > from work time. This costs real money.
> 
> This is almost completely nullified by the cost to retrain individuals and 
> the cost to reload software.  (i.e. over a 5 year period you may recoup 
> the costs but not in a 12 month time span)
> 
> > 	2) You control what software is installed, reducing the support load.
> You can do this in a windows environment.
> 
> > 	3) Should support be needed you can do it remotely.
> VNC is free and allows for remote support.
> 
> > B: Upgrades, Windows is expensive and so are the upgrades. Microsoft is
> > pushing to force everyone to upgrade at least every 18 months.
> Ok now you are changing your argument.  I FULLY 100% agree that if you are 
> in a position where you are considering UPGRADING Microsoft Products/Tools 
> this is a PRIME time to switch.  As the savings in the upgrade offsets the 
> retraining and implementation costs.
> 
> > C: Audits, BSA is now doing more and more audits. These are expensive to
> > do, read the articles on /. If you have no windows there is no audits
> > required, if you are only running a single windows box then that is all
> > they could audit and you should be able to keep a single windows box
> > audit safe.
> Switching to GNU/Linux doesnt prevent an audit, becuase you still own the 
> Windows License.  Just because you dont 'use' it doesnt mean you can't be 
> audited.  In fact, they would be more apt to audit you, to make you prove 
> you are not using it.
> 
> Now to prove I support Free Software, use the most important reason you 
> shouldn't use Prop software and its not 'cost'.
> 
> It is is Damagaing to your business. Why? Because you are locked in and 
> held hostage.  What does that mean?  It means if the software doesnt do what 
> you want or what it should and vendor doesnt want it to, you are screwed.  
> It also means you can not inspect the software to see what its doing.
> 
> So many businesses change their business to fit their software instead of 
> being able to change the software to fit their business.
> 
> In essence even if it costs you money to get rid of Prop software its 
> better for your business in the long run.  :)
> 
> Derek Neighbors
> GNU Enterprise
> http://www.gnuenteprise.org
> 
> 
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