My company has become progressively unhappy with our operating system. My main concern here is the ability to convert on a mass level. Please include with your suggestion reasons why you recommend what you recommend. Thanks.
2007-03-26 05:26:25 · 7 answers · asked by Conqi 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
I would recommend linux. You will need to research what available though and take into consideration what documents and applications you are using. here is a story about a small company that decided not to use microsoft products of any kind.
http://news.com.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html
Also you will have to consider alternatives to the applications.
Open Office.org provides the ability to read and write MS Office files, and there is at least one linux application that allow reading of Access database files
http://www.kmfms.com/alternatives.html
2007-03-26 05:40:39 · answer #1 · answered by Niklaus Pfirsig 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the biggest issue here is to find out exactly why your company is unhappy with Windows and to assess the impact of changing. For example, if the problem is that you're unhappy with the cost, you could switch to some form of Linux. However, the cost savings will be offset by the cost of retraining your users and the cost of lost productivity. If the problem is security, maybe the answer is to look at better products like firewalls for the company as well as locking down computers and coming up with more secure policies (like, locking down computers so users can't download, and if they do circumvent this policy they get fired). This would potentially be more effective than switching the company's OS wholesale. If the problem is that users don't understand the computers, then you could consider Macs, but that would be expensive as it would involve replacing all hardware and lots of software. Better training for users would probably be a better investment. That or you could hire smarter employees.
2007-03-26 05:39:15 · answer #2 · answered by Rose D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no simple answer to this. Alot depends on your users. If they are using programs that only run on windows then you tend to be suck with that requirement.
Several companies that I work with have begun to migrate to Linux. The users basically do word processing, spread sheets, web browsing and email so it is a no brainer. All that is available with Linux and is a fairly easy change. But for those that are using things like Quickboooks.. they are stuck because Intuit just hasn't presented any options as yet. There are many software companies who just don't want to change the requirement for Windoors :) as the base. (CALL THEM and COMPLAIN LOUDLY.)
One thing that you could do is to use Red Hat, or Fedora 6, CentOS etc as an os base and install vmware which would allow running either a windows instance or Linux instance on the same system. Which maximizes your return and lessens your cost. http://www.vmware.com
All of your servers could go to Linux since I doubt they have to run windows based programs There is even several "Exchange" systems available for them. The client terminals could then be tailored to each clients needs. It will be easier when you know what each user has to have to do the job day to day!
Hope that helps and good luck on the trek.. contact me if I can help.
2007-03-26 05:45:15 · answer #3 · answered by Tracy L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It largely depends on what you're using your computer for. With Windows having close to 90% of the consumer market, it can be frustrating to try and find software that will work elsewhere.
I have heard that Ubuntu is really good flavor of Linux. It's free and it comes with most of the basic software you'll need, like Open Office, which is an open source version of Microsoft Office.
Plus I've seen some pretty impressive videos on plugins you can install to get an interface comparable or better than Windows Vista!
2007-03-26 05:36:34 · answer #4 · answered by jjkiesch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I reccommend switching to linux, it is a free, open source O.S. A particular version you should switch to is Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.
2007-03-26 05:32:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend moving to linux. A particularly user-friendly version is Ubuntu linux. It is easy to customize and update with automatic online updating features and package management for install/remove.
2007-03-26 05:32:05 · answer #6 · answered by Christina 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is not the operating system, but the users.
Windows is so widely used that perhaps what the powers-that-be should do is have a professional instructor come in and give the employees classes.
2007-03-26 05:32:03 · answer #7 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋