[NTLUG:Discuss] linux usage and fruitcakes [way off topic]

[Chris Cox]

james osburn wrote:
> linux usage and fruitcakes.
> 
> linux [and fruit cake] is probably not for everyone.
> god i hope linux wasn't crammed down everyones
> throat  (like a big hunk of fruit cake).
> i have worked for several place where employees
> were told to do XYZ and give a deadline but never
> given the tools to get XYZ.  or trained to use the tools
> they have, but these same employees
> knew that if they had office or some othere proprietary
> software they would be able to finish assigned task
> and keep thus jobs.
> 
> firing just seems kind of extreme but this is your
> place.
> sorry i had to opine.
> also i really dont care for fruitcake.
> 

I agree.

Microsoft (the easiest to pick on) claims that Linux
is an all-or-nothing proposition.  They want companies
to believe that.  Obviously, all-or-nothing propositions
are designed to scare folks... so that has worked well
for Microsoft in some situations.  Microsoft's message:
"Linux is fruitcake."

However, it's far from reality.  What GNU/Linux brings
is all about integration.  Where Microsoft platforms
integrate poorly with other systems, GNU/Linux plays
quite well.  GNU/Linux combined with Microsoft Windows, zOS,
Netware, etc. makes for a formidable environment.

So the question isn't how to be get 100% conversion, the
goal is showing how GNU/Linux can make your existing
environment even better.  Does this mean that GNU/Linux
isn't allowed to supplant certain existing functions??
Certainly not... use GNU/Linux where is makes the best
sense.  But it's certainly not an all-or-nothing
tool.

At Sterling Commerce, we have over 25 folks using GNU/Linux
(SUSE) as their primary desktop.  But we're very technical.
The ones who choose this route are the ones that are
VERY comfortable with Unix and Unix-like OS's in general.
We use CrossOver Office, we use VMware... however,
several of these converts have removed their VMware
areas... a testimony to the maturity of the
GNU/Linux platform.

What about the non-technical?  Arguably, because of
GNU/Linux, we have mozilla.org and openoffice.org.  While
we can argue the technical merits vs. their Microsoft
couterparts, the fact is, that even the non-technical
users are now using these products in place of the norm.
That's a huge win.  What this means is that Microsoft
can be viewed again as a software company rather than
the sole supplier and controller of my desktops and
servers.  Microsoft wants to be in charge... GNU/Linux
and other free software projects are allowing people
to take back some ownership of their IT.

Any company not looking at GNU/Linux or projects
like mozilla.org (especially!) or openoffice.org is
probably not taking full advantage of their
opportunity to circumvent IT difficulties
down the road.  And that's worse than
fruitcake IMHO.  Doesn't mean they have to
implement or change, but they certainly have
to be looking... otherwise they may just get
left behind.