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PolarBear -> RE: Seven Reasons to Move to Linux (7/5/2008 3:58:55 AM)
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Good stuff. This quote is a little silly though:
quote:
“Linux servers posted their second consecutive quarter of solid growth with year-over-year revenue growth of 8.4 percent for a total of $1.8 billion in the quarter,”
Since most Linux users download it for free, revenue isn't much of a consideration.
As for the points ...
1. More hardware
Very true, most things now work, and if they don't, can be replaced with devices that work reasonably well. That isn't necessary a reason *to* switch to Linux though.
2. Linux server
Yes, a very good place for a business to start. Indeed it's true that they need to have someone on hand who understands the system.
3. Support
Yeah, getting a lot better.
4. Desktop Linux
Yeah, now supported by mainstream hardware vendors. Fine.
5. Software
Indeed there is a lot. Still, I've seen enough problems with OpenOffice that I'm not sure it's completely honest to say that people can just switch and never look back. Especially its database application -- I tried to develop with it to replace an Access application, and hit a brick wall fast. It just isn't there. There are also complaints with Writer and Calc. However, people who don't rely on advanced features of Office should be able to get by with it.
More disturbing is the enterprise "foundation software" used by many organizations. I know some missions organizations that had interest in Linux but then went to not only Windows, but the entire Microsoft stack, because of this stuff. It ties all the business processes together in a way that makes sense to them. AFAIK nothing comparable exists in Linux, and that's something the open source community needs to address.
6. Cost
Sure. Free OS. No antivirus, spyware problems, licensing management, and other junk like that. Also Linux is easy to deploy. Also who knows how many little Windows-esqe gadgets that cost money are used by organizations that have free Linux equivalents.
7. Gradual change
I agree, this is absolutely the way to go. I think virtually every company has a computer which could reasonably run Linux, so they should do that and see how well it works.
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