Ubuntu for Business

[damphoud]

I think if Ubuntu was to become greatly popular, it would need to take a lot of front end business from M$. If an employee was to use Ubuntu daily, they wouldn't find it to be a pain to learn, rather a part of the job (really, what is there to learn?). After a wile he/she would then start to compare Ubuntu to their OS at home, and he/she may like Ubuntu more! When the employee needs a new computer, he/she will look for a pre-installed Ubuntu computer.

Most average users has no reason and will power to switch... they need to be enlighten almost by force. I really don't know what would be the flipping point for business' to switch... cost? reliability? security? maybe we need better business directed software? (maybe we have no ad $$). Just a thought.

[beercz]

I think if Ubuntu was to become greatly popular, it would need to take a lot of front end business from M$. If an employee was to use Ubuntu daily, they wouldn't find it to be a pain to learn, rather a part of the job (really, what is there to learn?). After a wile he/she would then start to compare Ubuntu to their OS at home, and he/she may like Ubuntu more! When the employee needs a new computer, he/she will look for a pre-installed Ubuntu computer.

Most average users has no reason and will power to switch... they need to be enlighten almost by force. I really don't know what would be the flipping point for business' to switch... cost? reliability? security? maybe we need better business directed software? (maybe we have no ad $$). Just a thought.

I think one of the big issues is compatibility with other software and other users (not necessarily in the same organisation).

For example, I run the IT department for a construction design company, and we use Windows exclusively - out of necessity.

We use a lot of autocad and various autocad add ons. We also use a number of specialist software packages that are only available in Windows, which are not cheap (vertical market software). None of which would not work on Linux.

We also have to communicate and exchange data with several other organisations who also exclusively run Windows.

Therefore, reluctantly we have to use Windows on the desktop.

Our servers though are Debian linux - a conscious decision on my part!

I also use Ubuntu on my laptop as well as Windows on another laptop at the office.

If it were possible I would use Ubuntu on the desktop - but we can't.

I imagine there are lots of companies (at least small to medium sized companies) in a similar position.

[Black Mage]

I know quite a few companies that could switch to using Ubuntu Linux as their operating system but the problem is, no one wants to learn it, not even the IT Department. The main reason is they'd rather stick with Windows because its support.

But my thing is, if all you are using is regular programs such as Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Mail, you would save a lot of money but switching to Ubuntu.

And if a company sticks with web based solutions, such a TimeForce for clocking in and out, there is no need for Windows since PHP and other scripting languages only care about the browser.

So really what I mean to say is it is doable to use Ubunut, or Linux in general, ina business environment. I would say Ubuntu because its the most user friendly for people who know nothing about Linux.

[damphoud]

I'm not sure if initial savings would be too inviting for a company. If you compare the pre-installed linux companies to large companies, usually the large company has the lower price since they sell so many. Well... I guess not... M$ office business is $450usd.

[diablo75]

What would be really nice is if programs like Quickbooks became 100% web based and run in any web browser on any OS...

[lisati]

What would be really nice is if programs like Quickbooks became 100% web based and run in any web browser on any OS...

Web-based applications have little appeal for me, because I'm more comfortable with having the bulk of my software on my local machine(s) - video editing, for example, is better suited to locally-based applications. And what if there's a situation where you have limited (or no) web access?

[cardinals_fan]

I think if Ubuntu was to become greatly popular, it would need to take a lot of front end business from M$. If an employee was to use Ubuntu daily, they wouldn't find it to be a pain to learn, rather a part of the job (really, what is there to learn?). After a wile he/she would then start to compare Ubuntu to their OS at home, and he/she may like Ubuntu more! When the employee needs a new computer, he/she will look for a pre-installed Ubuntu computer.

Most average users has no reason and will power to switch... they need to be enlighten almost by force. I really don't know what would be the flipping point for business' to switch... cost? reliability? security? maybe we need better business directed software? (maybe we have no ad $$). Just a thought.

Bold for emphasis. I don't like the sound of this...

[Black Mage]

Web-based applications have little appeal for me, because I'm more comfortable with having the bulk of my software on my local machine(s) - video editing, for example, is better suited to locally-based applications. And what if there's a situation where you have limited (or no) web access?

Granted, for hardware intensive activities such as video editing, it is better to have an actual application. But many operation, such as arithmetic operations like payroll in a business enviroment, are not hardware intensive.

And keep in mind also that computer power and networking speed are increasing. You can buy a quad-core for a decent price, RAM isn't that expensive, and you can have gigabit ethernet connections...and in some cases 10 gigs which is A LOT of bandwith.

Another point to keep in mind is that web based applications are used in a business environment where if something breaks down, many times there is someone there who can fix it and they have the money to fix.

[diablo75]

Web-based applications have little appeal for me, because I'm more comfortable with having the bulk of my software on my local machine(s) - video editing, for example, is better suited to locally-based applications. And what if there's a situation where you have limited (or no) web access?

Well for something as demanding as video editing, of course it wouldn't work well. But financial software? I do my taxes every year with Turbotax's online app and I don't have to pay anything to file my federal return with it. Seems like the right way to do those kinds of programs that just crunch numbers and keep the books.

[damphoud]

Bold for emphasis. I don't like the sound of this...

lol Yeah forced is too strong. Maybe spoon fed? I know it still may seem harsh, but how will the average user feel comfortable switching if they have never used the OS before?