UK Gov. considering migration to open source ?

[newbie2]

8. In terms of spending less - what about migrating the whole of government (the NHS, Education etc) from Microsoft products to Linux and open source software like Openoffice.

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spend_challenge_ideas_2.htm

:rolleyes:

[Johnsie]

It would cost too much to retrain workers and it some units use specialised software which isn't available on Linux. Also, they've already paid for all those microsoft licenses. It wouldn't look very good if they went unused. If Linux is to be used it needs to be phased in very slowly.

[SoftPops]

It would cost too much to retrain workers and it some units use specialised software which isn't available on Linux. Also, they've already paid for all those microsoft licenses. It wouldn't look very good if they went unused. If Linux is to be used it needs to be phased in very slowly.

+1, but maybe something they should be considering when next upgrading/replacing systems.

[Johnsie]

What I do at work is try to give users a choice... I install Wubi on every computer that I get asked to work in, so the users can boot into Ubuntu if they want to. I also target people who don't know anything about computers by installing just Ubuntu on those machines instead of Windows and tell them it's better 'because windows xp is 9 years old and slow'.

Most of the people who have been given dual-boot seem to choose Windows because they are afraid of something they don't know. Not everyone likes to experiment.

I think if Ubuntu was given our across the board then people might make a better effort to figure out things for themselves, but the people who are already there don't like change.

[RiceMonster]

It would cost too much to retrain workers and it some units use specialised software which isn't available on Linux. Also, they've already paid for all those microsoft licenses. It wouldn't look very good if they went unused. If Linux is to be used it needs to be phased in very slowly.

Not to mention things like spreadsheets that an employee may constantly be updating, and may have macros and pivot tables that will not work correctly in OpenOffice Calc. I don't think the employees will be very happy when they have to remake them.

[Johnsie]

Some people have been using those spreadsheets for years. I definitely think if Linux or open source is to be phased in then it should just be given to new employees and people who want it. Gradually those new employees will become the old ones.

[alexan]

Workers will be always able to operate with the latest version without have to wait that the government "refresh" buying (yet again) new licence for the latest MSOffice '97, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010....

Also, workers which have a PC at home can use the same software for private propose with no charge on government or stealing with pirated license: if they practice writing a letter on OpenOffice... the proficiency acquired (we all know about how deeply are prepared the public sector workers) could be used at work.

Lotus Symphony (http://symphony.lotus.com/) (which come for free) offer the perfect step of migration between msoffice <-> openoffice.

[fatality_uk]

Lets just get this correct please. These are from ideas submitted by people, they are NOT Government produced ideas.

[BigSilly]

Not to mention things like spreadsheets that an employee may constantly be updating, and may have macros and pivot tables that will not work correctly in OpenOffice Calc. I don't think the employees will be very happy when they have to remake them.

Yet other governments have made the switch just fine.

What should we do then? Just accept that Microsoft are unmoveable and get on with Linux as a hobby? There's always a good excuse not to do anything. Bit confused by the thinking here.

[KiwiNZ]

Workers will be always able to operate with the latest version without have to wait that the government "refresh" buying (yet again) new licence for the latest MSOffice '97, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2010....



Are you saying that each staff member would able to download and install what the want when they want ?

Yeah right! Just because an organization may go open source they do not or should not throw out IT best practices.

[KiwiNZ]

Yet other governments have made the switch just fine.

What should we do then? Just accept that Microsoft are unmoveable and get on with Linux as a hobby? There's always a good excuse not to do anything. Bit confused by the thinking here.

There is a very high cost moving platforms, it causes disruption to business continuity and in most cases it is not cost affective to make the move.

[BigSilly]

There is a very high cost moving platforms, it causes disruption to business continuity and in most cases it is not cost affective to make the move.

No, of course, and I wouldn't say otherwise. But like I say, there's always going to be a reason not to switch any business from XP (because that's mostly what they use) to Linux. There's never going to be a "right" or a "good" time to do it.

So when?

[KiwiNZ]

No, of course, and I wouldn't say otherwise. But like I say, there's always going to be a reason not to switch any business from XP (because that's mostly what they use) to Linux. There's never going to be a "right" or a "good" time to do it.

So when?

For many , never. For a great many not in the foreseeable future. There is greater opportunity in the SME sector though care has to be taken especially with regards to how they interact with other businesses etc.

It would be nice to see large scale switches to Open Source or Apple but the reality is , it is just not going to happen in the long term in Government and large Enterprise Sectors.

[alexan]

Are you saying that each staff member would able to download and install what the want when they want ?
No, that staff member should be given the opportunity to practice their tool of work without have pay for it.
They are paid for the quality of their knowledge, not for a mechanical job a robot would be able to do.


Yeah right! Just because an organization may go open source they do not or should not throw out IT best practices.

eh?


There is a very high cost moving platforms, it causes disruption to business continuity and in most cases it is not cost affective to make the move.

Yeah, it cost more money (resources) time try to dock and fix a boat with leak...
Is more cheap to keep sail and prepare to swim... in a week you'll arrive more far than those who are still repairing their ship.
Well, the next month is another issue.:rolleyes: