Remind me again why businesses aren't using Ubuntu / Linux?...

[Mtnear]

Homeland Security: "Fix your Windows." (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6103805.html?tag=nl.e550)

I know this article isn't business or enterprise specific, but it got me thinking again about how this latest threat to Windows will have businesses pushing out updates and patches all over the place.

So, can someone explain to me again why businesses aren't using Linux (or specifically something like Ubuntu)? I've never understood this.

I know that as home users we post things here on the forum about getting flash to work in firefox, setting up all of our multimedia apps, how to run games through Wine, etc., but these are all issues that a workplace PC would never need to worry about.

Any company that I've ever worked for requires the basics of email and office applications, which are completely accomodated for in any Linux distro with equivalent (or better) tools. Outside of that the only other applications are task specific things like Documentum, a mainframe app, SAP, etc. Maybe I'm answering my own question there because I don't know if things like SAP can be utilized on Linux desktops (does anyone know?), but I can bet that there is either an alternative app that does what the legacy app does, or there is a way to run the legacy app through something like VMWare.

I've never been able to reason why any company (large or small) would continue to pay for so many Windows licenses to provide an email and office application specific desktop when Linux could be installed on those same machines with the benefit of being cheaper and more secure. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[beercz]

Homeland Security: "Fix your Windows." (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6103805.html?tag=nl.e550)

I know this article isn't business or enterprise specific, but it got me thinking again about how this latest threat to Windows will have businesses pushing out updates and patches all over the place.

So, can someone explain to me again why businesses aren't using Linux (or specifically something like Ubuntu)? I've never understood this.

I know that as home users we post things here on the forum about getting flash to work in firefox, setting up all of our multimedia apps, how to run games through Wine, etc., but these are all issues that a workplace PC would never need to worry about.

Any company that I've ever worked for requires the basics of email and office applications, which are completely accomodated for in any Linux distro with equivalent (or better) tools. Outside of that the only other applications are task specific things like Documentum, a mainframe app, SAP, etc. Maybe I'm answering my own question there because I don't know if things like SAP can be utilized on Linux desktops (does anyone know?), but I can bet that there is either an alternative app that does what the legacy app does, or there is a way to run the legacy app through something like VMWare.

I've never been able to reason why any company (large or small) would continue to pay for so many Windows licenses to provide an email and office application specific desktop when Linux could be installed on those same machines with the benefit of being cheaper and more secure. It just doesn't make sense to me.
As the IT Director of a construction design company, I think I can answer this.

As a Linux devotee I would love to have my entire office using linux, but we have a number of people using AutoCAD. There is no linux equivalent as far as I know.

We also use a lot of specialist design software used in a number of engineering disciplines. Again these are written for the Windows platform only, are closed source and very expensive.

There are about 45 people in my Company and all use Windows, I can think of only 3 people who could switch to Ubuntu, everyone else is using some sort of specialist windows based application.

And I imagine we are not the only company, engineering, or construction or otherwise in a similar position.

btw at work I have a windows desktop pc and I use my own ubuntu laptop. Also some of our servers are linux based (Debian Sarge), but my colleagues don't know this.

[FISHERMAN]

Very simple: A lot of the de facto industry standards(MS Office,*.doc/*.xls/*.ppt/Windows Media/Photoshop/Acrobat/... ) are mostly Windows-only, some are also available for Mac, very few of those apps are ported for other OS.

There might be good free-software alternatives or even some proprietary software for GNU/Linux, but the choice is limited. And don't forget that most companies don't want to pay to help their staff get used to a totally new OS/applications.

[Mtnear]

Well, that was quick.

Thanks beercz, I guess that gives me a new perspective on what would seem like a simple switch.

@ Fisherman - wouldn't those office formats (including adobe) be acommodated by OO.o, etc. in Linux?

[beercz]

There are a number of companies around writing specialist applications for the business market, and as the majority of business use Windows, these softare houses tend to write softare for Windows.

I know, I used to work as a software developer for a small software house.

[FISHERMAN]

@ Fisherman - wouldn't those office formats (including adobe) be acommodated by OO.o, etc. in Linux?

OO.o might have good MS-Office-support, but it is entirely done by reverse-engineering, without any help from MS.
It's not perfect(large, complex documents might cause some problems), and MS can decide to change these formats any time they like.

[Dragonbite]

SSshhhhhhh....
We've secretly changed this company's regular brand of Windows with Linux. Let's see their reaction;


I missed my buddies again?! Where is that blue-screen-thingy that pops up so I can go on a break?
(smoking-addicted co-worker)
WTF? I can't do this! Where's the Start button? Where's that "E"!? How am I supposed to do anything?
(Night Security person sneaking onto people's computers)
Damned.. lost another one.
(overpriced software vendor)
Wha? What do I blame NOW?!
(lazy co-worker)
Oh, maaaan! Now I'll NEVER get a new computer!
(somebody who never cleans out his spyware and when the system slows to a painful crawl, goes crying to his boss for a new computer)
Huh?! It's evil.. EEEEEVIIIIILL!!!!....
(Bill Gates)
Goood *evil grin*, that means you can get things done even FASTER...
(sadistic boss)
My files are at /home ? Then why did I come in to work today?
(blonde)
oooOOOoooh, isn't he cuuuuuute?
(penquin loving secretary)

[Mtnear]

Quote: My files are at /home ? Then why did I come in to work today?(blonde)

Too funny...

[matt_man22]

Here almost all files are written in Microsoft Office. There are probably several hundred complex macros written in VBA. See the problem? It would cost more to rewrite them than to pay for Windows.

[aysiu]

It really depends on the business.

Certain businesses definitely need Windows-only software.
Many others are afraid of change.
Many others are suspicious of free software (or software they've never heard of).
There are compatibility issues (exchanging .doc files created in OpenOffice doesn't always let people commonly edit one document and see it properly)
They can buy a bunch of computers from Dell with Windows preloaded... are you suggesting these businesses all buy System76 computers (http://www.system76.com)? How many do you think have even heard of System76 (yes, even in the IT department of the business)?

If I ever run a business (not bloody likely), I'll try my darnedest to run on Ubuntu and open source software, but you can't force people to use it if they're afraid... and if you do force them, they'll blame you for every obstacle they encounter.

If they use Windows, they can blame any number of people--IT staff, Dell, Microsoft, third-party vendors, the electric company...

If anyone's interested, I actually wrote an article about weighing the pros of cons of a business switching...
http://www.psychocats.net/essays/linuxwindowscomparison.php

[Mtnear]

Many others are afraid of change. Many others are suspicious of free software (or software they've never heard of).
Yes, I agree...but it's just email and office apps. I was just thinking that if that's really all a company needs, then what's the big deal?



They can buy a bunch of computers from Dell with Windows preloaded... are you suggesting these businesses all buy System76 computers (http://www.system76.com)? How many do you think have even heard of System76 (yes, even in the IT department of the business)?
Sure, I don't know. How hard would it be to google "Linux PC Vendors" or something similar and do a little research if it meant saving tons of money on licences? A company like System76 seems reasonable enough to me, especially if they would then provide support.


...but you can't force people to use it if they're afraid... and if you do force them, they'll blame you for every obstacle they encounter.
Yes, I can see that, but at most companies that I've worked at no matter what the software of choice is (including which flavor of Windows we're using) the sentiment is usually, "...well, this is what IT has us using.", or "...I'm stuck using this because that's what IT supports." It would probably be the same type of complaints about Linux if folks didn't like it.

[aysiu]

Yes, I agree...but it's just email and office apps. I was just thinking that if that's really all a company needs, then what's the big deal? Well, as I said before, it depends on the business. I'm all for businesses using Ubuntu and open source if they can. Most businesses need (especially in HR and Payroll) something more than email and office apps.


Sure, I don't know. How hard would it be to google "Linux PC Vendors" or something similar and do a little research if it meant saving tons of money on licences? A company like System76 seems reasonable enough to me, especially if they would then provide support. You'd be surprised at how much research people do not want to do. Dell is a recognized name. System76 is not. When I did a search on Google for "Linux PC Vendors" (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=linux+pc+vendors&btnG=Google+Search), System76 did not show up in the first 100 results. It did show up as an advertisement on the side with this description:
Affordable Linux Desktops
Enjoy Stability & Power Of Linux
Excellent Service & Free Shipping!
www.System76.com Many businesses would rather go to Dell than click on an advertisement entitled, "Affordable Linux Desktops."


Yes, I can see that, but at most companies that I've worked at no matter what the software of choice is (including which flavor of Windows we're using) the sentiment is usually, "...well, this is what IT has us using.", or "...I'm stuck using this because that's what IT supports." It would probably be the same type of complaints about Linux if folks didn't like it. But when you're proposing a change, you are proposing it, and you will be held accountable. Yes, in my current job, we just switched database programs, and we grumbled and moaned about how we're stuck with it, but the technology department was wholly on board together to migrate (it wasn't one person who was responsible for the change), and we know other schools using this database.

If you were responsible for switching over a company, you would be held accountable.

[Mtnear]

Most businesses need (especially in HR and Payroll) something more than email and office apps.
Of course they do, I'm not saying they don't.


Dell is a recognized name. System76 is not. When I did a search on Google for "Linux PC Vendors" (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=linux+pc+vendors&btnG=Google+Search), System76 did not show up in the first 100 results. It did show up as an advertisement on the side with this description: Many businesses would rather go to Dell than click on an advertisement entitled, "Affordable Linux Desktops."
I didn't know we were only allowed to discuss buying from System76.


If you were responsible for switching over a company, you would be held accountable.
I already understood this.

Geez, sorry I brought it up everyone. I still maintain that when you have a workforce that sits and sends email, types up word type documents and creates spreadsheets there should be no reason why considering Linux is out of the ordinary. I agree that for the folks in payroll, HR or any other department that may need specialized apps there may need to be other options. I would think these options would be worth exploring if the benefits from migrating majority of the other desktops was justified.

[aysiu]

I agree with you, too--the option is worth exploring for certain businesses.

The original thread question says, "Remind me again why businesses aren't using Ubuntu / Linux?" I'm merely reminding you.