Should we really promote Linux?

[kevxh]

I wanted some honest opinions please ....

I'm a senior systems analyst and I own a tech support company. My business is 100% Linux powered; everything from the server room to the telephones. We don't use Microsoft products of any description and I get monumentally p!@@#d off that I can't buy the hardware I want without buying Microsoft garbage in the process. Yes, I call them and return the Windows license for credit but it's a process that shouldn't be necessary.

However ....

The vast majority of business comes from supporting the various Microsoft operating systems that are forced on people when they buy a new machine. Malware riddled PCs are a constant source of revenue and are the ONLY reason I employ staff. So even though my staff use Linux, and indeed we use Linux to recover Windows, I don't promote Linux because the more people that use it the less work there will be.

Is that wrong?

[loell]

Advocacies of any sort is a personal mission,
With your Line of work, it's a business decision, "Strategic" I might add.

Now is it moral? not for me to judge. ;)

[msandoy]

I can see your point of view, no Microsoft, no money. :-)
I do promote it, since that means more spare time for me. I'm not working in the support business, and friends and family keep comming to me with their virus ridden windows installs. Those that I have converted to Linux have no more problems, and that keeps both me and them happy. Now they just come to me when they buy a new computer, and want to transfer all their data from the old one. Makes life so much easier.

[sdowney717]

in a strange sense you are enabling the MS drug fix habit to continue.

In the interest of security, efficiency, productivity, IT management ought to know what type of system is best for an organization, or maybe they own MS stock. An acquaintance who is an IT dept head for our city loves Linux, but ran into serious headwinds trying to convince city government and schools to allow Linux even a foot in the door. Even though it would have saved a decent amount of cash regarding city expenses, they would not do it due to upper city management's personal bias, prejudices and stock interests.

[aysiu]

I don't promote anything in particular.

I try to educate myself on all the options and then recommend to people what I think will best suit their needs and means.

[IWantFroyo]

It is a moral decision, with consequences on both sides.
If you promote Linux:
MS will likely start sacking employees as their empire falls.

If you don't:
Many people will lose data, and companies could go bankrupt from bugs/viruses in their systems.

Do you want to uphold the Empire, or expose the glitches?

[ronnielsen1]

I do promote it, since that means more spare time for me. I'm not working in the support business, and friends and family keep comming to me with their virus ridden windows installs. Those that I have converted to Linux have no more problems, and that keeps both me and them happy. Now they just come to me when they buy a new computer, and want to transfer all their data from the old one. Makes life so much easier.

my thoughts exactly. I don't get call backs on linux installs. I don't work on windows any more

[kinley3]

I see your point as well. However, if the world was backward and everybody used linux, computers would still need to be fixed, whether it's a HDD failure or whatever. Random things go wrong all the time, regardless of what kind of OS the user is running.

Granted, the people who use linux are probably more likely to be able to fix some problems themselves. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I would think there would still be work in your field; just maybe not quite as much.

Please let me know if I totally missed the point of your question. Haha

[phrostbyte]

This post made me :lolflag: for real.


:p

[phrostbyte]

I like promoting GNU/Linux because I simply like promoting good things and I truly believe that more FOSS and free culture will be better for the progress of science and technology and the society in general. :) Although I've managed (by sheer force of will) make my personal passions earn me a living.

From a finance perspective, I do figure that increased GNU/Linux will have a positive effect on my bottom line, but only to a point. I don't fix Windows for a living.

So it depends on you. Personally I think just like dentists should be promoting good oral hygiene even though it costs them money, we as computer professionals should be promoting good computer things even if it costs us money.

But good point regardless. :lolflag:

[Timmer1240]

I promote Linux but my friends and family think you have to be a geek to run it they usually just shrug it off so I dont push too hard anymore.Its their choice but they always choose to call me with their computer problems though!Seems most people just want a magic box that just works and dont want to learn how to figure out things on their own guess Im a tinkerer by nature but I have a lot less problems with linux thats why I use it now!

[trinitydan]

I like promoting GNU/Linux because I simply like promoting good things and I truly believe that more FOSS and free culture will be better for the progress of science and technology and the society in general.
That was very well said.
=D>

[Groucho Marxist]

I feel that there will still be moments when we can say, "This is a job for tech support" even if Microsoft were to disappear.

I promote GNU/Linux by example rather than intense proselytizing. For example, I was at a friend's house last week and we were on our respective machines. I pulled up Wine to run Star Wars: Battlefront II and during the game, I took a break from the action to check my mail by way of Compiz desktop cube switching. My friends were blown away by it and asked me which version of Windows I was running; it was at that point that I explained what it was and why I use GNU/Linux.

[HermanAB]

You have to use the right tool for the job.

Linux is perfect in the server room and as engineering workstations. Mac is perfect in the design centre.

If the user is a tool, then Windows is the right choice.

[earthpigg]

The vast majority of business comes from supporting the various Microsoft operating systems that are forced on people when they buy a new machine. Malware riddled PCs are a constant source of revenue and are the ONLY reason I employ staff. So even though my staff use Linux, and indeed we use Linux to recover Windows, I don't promote Linux because the more people that use it the less work there will be.

Is that wrong?

I think you are missing an opportunity.

You have repeat customers with new/different/thesame problems over and over again?

"Well Mr. Smith, we fixed the problem you came in with the other day and here's your system. In the last year, you've spent $300 on our services and based on my understanding you use this computer almost entirely for this-this-and-that. What if I offered you a $150 umbrella policy for one years worth of unlimited software tech support? Though the diagnostic will be free, the policy doesn't cover parts if any of your hardware fails... But all software problems will be completely covered. [Discussion about Ubuntu goes here]."

Pick five frequent customers, do a pilot program for a year?

[ronnielsen1]

it was at that point that I explained what it was and why I use GNU/Linux.

Any takers?

[inobe]

most of us stumbled on it, a few that did never knew i existed.

it's better that way.

[MooPi]

I am currently starting a new phase of my life after working for a big corporation for the last 26 years, I'm doing computer repair and custom builds out of a local shop. My philosophy on the issue is let the customer make that decision. If they continually show up with a virus riddled computer, I suggest the option of Linux. If they notice my computer and show an interest, I show them the benefits of Linux.
A customer came to me last week wanting to us an old desktop as a duplication tower in his music studio. The software he was using really would not function well and the tower was in need of upgrades so I suggested the solution I had the strongest control and knowledge of, Linux. He saw my demo of cdrecord doing multiple burns instantaneousness and accepted my solution. A new Linux customer and hopefully a convert. Yes promote Linux :)

[ninjaaron]

I think the 'IT proletariat' will still have need for tech-support with a Linux install. Just don't tell them about the forums or some of them might start solving their own problems.

I still have hardware and software problems with Ubuntu, just not quite as many, I know how to find solutions.

Until people are willing to take initiative and solve their own problems, they will need IT specialists.

It would be a lot smarter of you to boycott the forums. If there were no IT pros here, I'd be screwed. I might actually have to, you know, call a guy and pay money for a service. It would be terrible.

[I_can_see_the_light]

If the user is a tool, then Windows is the right choice.

I was going to disagree on that but then i realised that most people just want to buy appliances that everyone else uses and isn't interested in finding out if it's working with linux or not.