[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Linux article -- corporate desktop adoption will slowly changethe consumer

[Alvin Goats]

I concur that the issue with the desk top is the apps.

Part of the vendor lock in has to do with engineering and accounting
tools in the corporate world. First, there is a lack of the proper
software tools in Linux, and where there are some tools, they lack the
portability or functionality of their windows counterparts. Consider:
can DIA import and export Visio? What can do MS-Project, including
importing and exporting Project files?

One of the key "we can't move to Linux" issues involves engineering, in
particular, drafting. The best and most universal CADD is AutoCad. There
are other CADD programs (I use SolidEdge myself), but there is nothing
on the same level of capability in the Linux/Unix world. Sure, there are
some things out there that do a reasonable job, but they lack all of the
functionality of the Windows based big guys. I have to be able to read
and write .dwg, .dxf format files, gerber files, IGES files. I need
elipses and non-linear curve drawing capabilities. Outputing XML is
nonsense as I have to be able to output file formats that can be loaded
on CNC mills, drills, presses, lathes, etc. 

Before I get the onslaught of googled possibilities, let's understand
that I've done my homework and have tried or have:

BRL-CAD
Moonlight
Blender
QCadd
PythonCad
gcad3d

The rest typically lack the ability to read or write any of the CADD
file formats.

While BRL-CAD has tons of features, it's extremely difficult to use as
compared to AutoCAD or SolidEdge. That and most people are afraid to
talk with the US Army, who owns and distributes it (something to do with
sending signed snail mail forms to get the decryption key, I suppose,
even though it is free). 

Most engineering uses modeling programs or math packages. Very few are
ported, there are some equivalents that suffer lack of features similar
to the CADD software, but all too many exist only in the Windows world.
Consequently, I dual boot in order to do everything I need. 

Accounting has similar issues. Many small and mid sized companies have
old DOS based Lotus 1-2-3 programs written in house (macro programs in
the spreadsheets). These programs were supported ONLY in one version of
1-2-3 and are unsupported in all other spreadsheet software, even the
windows versions of Lotus 1-2-3. 

Accounting also uses PeachTree and similar software packages that MUST
either be supported, or import/export has to be perfect and seamless.
Pricing for the packages must be kept at a similar level or the small to
midsized companies can't afford to make the switch. 

These are the types of things that prevent adoption on the desk top in
most companies. The company senior staff would rather have ONE set of
issues to deal with, i.e. windows or Unix, rather than support
everything out there. 

In the manufacturing world, some equipment has proprietary systems (K&S
wire bonders), use Windows (QuadTek, Heller, BTU) or some form of
Unix/Linux (RVSI, Mydata, F&K Delvotec). Maintaining all of this
equipment is a nightmare due to the disparity of software architecture.
It is actually more preferable to get a piece of equipment that has
lower functionality/process throughput than to deal with another OS on a
piece of equipment that is actually better.

If you want Linux to take over the desktop, you have to get ALL of the
apps that are needed in the areas that it is lacking or there will not
be any major changes in the movement. In the olden days, CADD was only
done on Mainframes, until AutoCAD came along. Now CADD is done on the PC
and not on mainframes. There is a need to be filled, go fill it and
watch people migrate to Linux.

Alvin