[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Seeking builder of Linux machines

[Bryan J. Smith]

On Tue, 2004-12-07 at 15:09, John Thomas wrote:
> I'm in an office with a Microsoft network.  I have to have MS file 
> compatibility.

If you want file compatibility more than 3 years, then you shouldn't use
MS Office.  If you need some "ammunition" on this, be sure to pick up
the first two 2005 issues of Sys Admin.  [ HINT, HINT ]

> I'm a Linux enthusiast, so I want to see how far I can go with Linux
> (and OO, etc.) alone, but I need the Windows-boot just in case.

Before you throw the whole "Freedomware" (open source, open standard)
towel into the ring with Linux, you might find it won't get thrown back
at you so quick if you try to introduce Freedomware on Windows.

Introduce Freedomware applications on Windows, get your peers to write
new documents in it, and then you remove the #1 stumbling block to Linux
adoption.  Because people use apps, not OSes, it's best if you first
make the apps with your most important data not about the OS.  ;->

The ultimate liability and risk to companies right now isn't so much the
Windows OS, but the "Hostageware" (unmaintainable source, unmaintainable
standard) applications.  Introducing Linux off-the-bat only increases
the risk of failed desktop adoption in my experience, because you have
to deal with hardware incompatibility, user unfamiliarity, support
issues, etc...

So with that all said, check out TheOpenCD:  http://www.theopencd.org 

And distribute it liberally!

> I don't have the time to research and build a machine from scratch 
> (although I could).  I have too much work and too many present hobbies 
> to do that!

I don't want to inhibit you from buy a new system.  But question if you
should really introduce a Linux system at this time.  A more effective
strategy may be Freedomware on Windows.

Or at least alongside this new, Linux system at the very least.


-- 
Bryan J. Smith                                 b.j.smith at ieee.org 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Beware of advocates who justify their preference not in terms of
what they like about their "choice," but what they did not like
about another option.  Such advocacy is more hurtful than helpful.