Promoting Linux and Open Source Software to charities

[Lesp]

Hi
I've been an Ubuntu user since Dapper Drake, and I love using Ubuntu, for the first time in my computing life I have true freedom.

I was thinking over Christmas, that I am lucky, I have the freedom of open source software, and free software that performs every task I ask. I never have to pay for anything, and with the credit crunch, thats a good thing.

But what about all the charities in the world, from the small teams helping in your local town / city, to the big international charities helping millions.

Can the IT requirements of a charity be met by Linux and open source software, I think so, but would the charities be willing to change from Microsoft / Apple?

I am currently looking at the common tasks that a charity may undertake, using IT. Once I have ascertained this then I will devise some method to show the charities how versatile and cost effective Linux is, in particular Ubuntu.

If anyone has any opinions, or would like to comment, please do.
Many thanks for reading

lespounder.wordpress.com

[hellocatfood]

At Friends of The Earth in Birmingham they've been using Edubuntu for the last two years. You can read about it here http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/wast...recycling.html

Perhaps you could ask them about if it meets their needs and if they've encountered any problems

[teaker1s]

ubuntu can meet the needs of many charities and organizations, the question that needs asking is not is ubuntu capable,but is the support capable!!

[hellocatfood]

I've found that the Linux User Groups give quite a lot of support. It's not quite the same as phoning a help-line but it's great support none-the less

[nlz]

we are using it too. See link underneath.

A whole radio station rolling on it, a IT centre and our office in the Netherlands. Including finance, webserver and everything needed for a radio station.

[Wv0wvw88wvw0vW]

That's a really good idea, I've been thinking about promoting Ubuntu personally but I think the main problem is specialised software. For example, the libraries in Aberdeen, Scotland used specialised, tailor-made software to fit their needs, to switch to Linux, someone needs to guarentee them a program with the same functionelle, that's where support comes it. Eventually... You'll end up paying...

[hellocatfood]

It'd be great if each program offered the same kind of support in addition to community support

[teaker1s]

Canonical offer paid support, it's also possible with remastersys to create a custom image to clone to multiple pc's.

Basically it boils down to, unless it's community supported and not specialised:- at some point there is a cost.

I think really free software should be promoted as a low cost alternative, unless unlimited free support is offered on small projects

[esdaniel]

I think the way to adoption is through specific solutions that target what a charity is trying to achieve, independent of the operating system.

The total cost of IT is what a charity would consider and the usual issues are:

i) Familiarity - what is Ubuntu?
ii) Training - do we need to train our staff who are already familiar with the most common OS/apps and therefore moving to Ubuntu would incur unnecessary cost
iii) Can we use our existing applications and access our data using Ubuntu and associated apps
iv) Can we get local tech support for this

Yeah, I know you've got plenty of answers for the above but It's that kind of talk one has to get used to... CivicCRM has done a lot to promote the benefits of FLOSS however it's producing open source solutions to rival offerings from companies like this that might be more adept in gaining market share:
http://www.iris.co.uk/charities

[teaker1s]

However you promote ubuntu I would avoid the term "free" unless you promote it as a lower cost alternative with free elements.

For instance if a large organization rolls it out nationally-there will be a support cost/equipment cost.

Also if you go the remastersys route you will need to still configure some hardware unless you have exact model computers.