[TriLUG] ROI moving gov to Linux?

[Tim Jowers via TriLUG]

Thank you everyone,

I am impressed with the responses. I've used windows, macOS, linux
extensively as desktops. They are all really about the same. macOS is the
worst from the UX perspective but windows lacks a good command shell, etc.
as you know. E.g. Excel crashes regularly on MacOS as does xCode. I use
LibreOffice for college work on my Mac largely because its solid and I
don't lose time due to crashes. As some of you know, Windows was designed
on the Motif style guide (on X windows) so has same coherency; whereas
Apple products are just a munge of various good ideas glued together
however they happen to fit onto each other.

Like someone said, my kids use chrome at school. They have a computer lab
with windows and my kids know how to use that too. Since they started with
tablets and phones, watching them learn to use a mouse, to go to the lower
left corner to start searching for stuff, and various window-isms was kind
of funny.

My point is in my experience there is nothing but history differentiating
using a Linux platform for daily work. I have done it when I can and its
much better for anyone who's a power user, like me. Much faster on the same
hardware too. Its a better-designed OS.

I was really thinking about things like LibreOffice and other open source.
Its silly for anyone to argue Microsoft Office is superior. Of course,
there is the extended network of apps which are made to work with
Microsoft. I had the same problem even now with a Lexmark business printer
as their software on MacOS was sorry.

But, I learned from everyone's feedback that the "government" is the same
place they were 12 years ago when I hired a model and went down to
Fayetteville street and tried to pitch Linux -  unwilling to change.

Its funny really as when my kids ask for a laptop they are asking for a
chromebook. Not windows. And not even the old MacBook we have laying
around. Just like the gov-heads think Windows is cool - the kids think iPad
and Chromebook are cool.

Unlike a company where waste and bad decision lead to oblivion -
governments can just raise taxes and continue waste. I heard some state
amendments are in the works - wonder if one is to remove a constitutional
limit on taxes....

Cheers,
Tim Jowers
(Yes, typing on a MacBook. Its my main computer due to xCode; haven't
booted my Linux box in a few months as no time right now. :-( )
P.S> I actually really like MSSQL due to their query monitor. I heard a few
years back softie wanted to de-feature it though. Wish Oracle had something
1/10th as useful. Not sure if MariaDB or Postgres do.
P.S.> LibreOffice Draw, the spreadsheet, and MSSQL query monitor are two of
my top 10 software packages ever. Not sure who the credit for the
spreadsheet goes to. I remember quattropro being an early leader.

On Wed, Sep 5, 2018 at 9:37 PM Kenneth Parker via TriLUG <trilug at trilug.org>
wrote:

> The only thing I'll mention, is a Sense of Perspective.  I am a Computer
> Consultant, retired, but often suggested to companies that, if they wish to
> fill a room with people, and computer systems, Windows = Expensive
> (Hardware and Licensing Costs, mainly).  Linux = MUCH Less (Hardware costs
> only).  Hardware can be lower powered, since Windows has a high Resource
> Usage.  Company or Organization can have one Prototype made by a Hardware
> Firm, and loaded with, say, Debian 9 (or Ubuntu) and LibreOffice.  Specific
> Requirements are often met in the Open Source World.  Once the Prototype is
> approved, the Hardware can be mass-produced, and a special Linux Option can
> be used to do Unattended Installs.
>
> I don't know if this works for you, Tim, but I would be happy to get
> together with you to discuss further.
>
> Kenneth Parker
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