[aclug-L] FW: Is Now the Time to Replace Windows on the Desktop?

["Dale W Hodge" <dwh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Linux_Desktop_Apps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:Linux_Desktop_Apps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2002 12:40 AM


LINUX DESKTOP APPLICATIONS --- March 14, 2002
Published by ITworld.com -- changing the way you view IT
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HIGHLIGHTS

* Linux is gradually finding its way from the server to the desktop, 
  thanks in large part to the growing number of comparable office 
  suites and Windows' prohibitive client license fees.

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Is Now the Time to Replace Windows on the Desktop?
By Eric Foster-Johnson

Linux has been a popular server OS for many years. Expensive end-user 
client licenses are causing more and more organizations to displace 
Windows servers for things like file, print, email, and Web services. 
Now, a combination of tough economic times and a greater awareness of 
Linux are resulting in a number of high-profile organizations turning 
to Linux on the desktop as well. 

Linux on the desktop has always lagged. The first and foremost problem 
lies in the lack of Microsoft Office for Linux. While StarOffice 
(http://www.sun.com/staroffice), the open-source OpenOffice 
(http://www.openoffice.org), and KOffice (http://www.koffice.org) come 
closer and closer to matching Microsoft Office's functionality with 
each release, they still are not Microsoft Office. That's a big issue 
for many firms.

All of these packages are improving their ability to support Office 
file formats, a crucial capability. And, as the compatibility for 
Office file formats improves, Linux is considered good enough by more 
and more organizations.

The second main issue lies in lack of desktop applications. That, too, 
is changing, as you can find more and more financial and other 
applications for Linux. Finally, the perception that Linux on the 
desktop is difficult to use remains firmly embedded in the minds of 
many users. All of these concerns are valid, but organizations are 
finding ways around the problems.

The City of Largo, Florida, for example, adopted the KDE desktop to 
replace Windows computers. More recently, Rob Valliere reported 
(http://www.robval.com/linux/desktop/index.html) that a client examined 
the question of using Linux to replace Windows 2000, and eventually 
saved $10,000 US for a small site with 25 computers. This article 
provides a good list of Linux alternatives for common Windows 
applications.

Other organizations have tried the fresh approach -- installing Linux 
on the computers for all new workers, while leaving existing Windows 
users alone. This reduces a lot of the resistance to change, but also 
shows the IT department how much less effort is required to manage and 
maintain Linux systems than Windows. Even CIO magazine presents a 
humorous 12-step program for eliminating Microsoft from your network at 
http://www.cio.com/archive/010102/shop.html.

Of course, the recent conversions is just a drop in the bucket compared 
to the number of sites running Windows on the desktop. The important 
thing is that organizations concerned with cost have determined that 
Linux is not only workable on the desktop, but it is also less 
expensive than Windows.

Isn't it time to examine whether a switch would help your organization?

About the author(s)
-------------------
Eric Foster-Johnson has written 14 books on Linux, Unix, programming 
and open source tools. Eric can be reached at erc@xxxxxxxxxxxx or at
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a7
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

RIP: Linux on the Desktop
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a3

Desktop Linux serves up big savings
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a2

Desktop Linux OSes: Less Pain, Many Gains
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a1
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ITWORLD.COM NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Index of Linux Desktop Applications
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a6

One More for the GIMPer
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a4

Freshen Your Apps with Glade
http://itw.itworld.com/GoNow/a14724a54506a76028222a5
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