UK report says Linux is 'viable'

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UK report says Linux is 'viable'
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tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 04 11:51 am Post subject: UK report says Linux is 'viable'

UK government departments moved a step closer to using open-source operating systems such as Linux after a study found that they were "viable" products.

The software could "generate significant savings", according to the Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

The popularity of programs like Linux, which are essentially free, have grown as firms and countries look to limit their dependence on software producers.

Companies such as Microsoft have the most to lose should Linux use spread.

Challenge?

Microsoft is the world's largest software maker and its Windows operating system is found on nine out of every 10 personal computers.

It also makes products for servers, though has a smaller share of the market.

While companies such as Microsoft earn money by licensing and charging for use of their products, Linux code is freely available.

That means anyone can modify it or develop applications for it.

However, deploying Linux still comes with a price tag for customisation and installing the software, and staff training.

Having read the report in detail the findings do not align fully with feedback we regularly receive
Microsoft

For some governments and firms, especially in the developing world, the result is more flexibility and reduced costs.

China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to work together and develop an Asian version of Linux.

Governments in Germany and France have installed Linux systems in recent months.

The German city of Munich has decided to switch 14,000 of its personal computers to a Linux-based operating system and Paris is said to have considered a similar move.

Momentum

John Oughton, chief executive of the OGC, said that the pilot schemes in the UK show that Linux "could support government bodies by offering efficient and cost-effective IT solutions".

"This report will assist public sector bodies in making informed, value-for-money judgements when deciding upon which solutions best suits their needs."

The pilot schemes found that using Linux can extend the life of equipment and limit the number of servers need to run programs.

It also said that there were "potential green" benefits, as well as the cost cutting.

It is not all one-way traffic, however, and Microsoft has been cutting the cost of its products to retain customers.

It also has increased access to its programming code and says that it often has to pick up the pieces when a switch to Linux has failed.

A Microsoft spokesperson, commenting on the OGC report, said that the company understands the UK government has to "promote a level playing field and to foster increased competition".

"However, having read the report in detail, the findings do not align fully with feedback we regularly receive from our customers in the market place who have evaluated Microsoft software against Open Source software."

Story from BBC NEWS:
https://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/3960025.stm

Published: 2004/10/28 13:49:12 GMT

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 04 12:20 pm Post subject:
We use Linux at work, and I know there's a few Linux boffins here, so don't be scared it's very cheap, very stable and there's loads of software available for it

jema
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 04 12:55 pm Post subject:
I run a Linux server in the office I also run the Open Office suite, which is well on a par with MickySoft office. it is now only momentum keeping MS going in business jema

Treacodactyl
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 04 9:27 pm Post subject:
I've got Linux, but not had much time to play with it yet. Is the Open Office realy a good option and will it open all the latest MS files? I know China use it as their main Office type package and with B/Band I should be able to get it easily. BTW, what's the main differences between XP Home and XP Pro. All I know is that XP Home can have 5 network connections and XP Pro 10.

jema
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 04 10:44 pm Post subject:
open office is according to reviews not perfect, but very good at opening mS office docs. Not sure on all the home/pro differences. though home has IMHO a dumbed down interface jema

Treacodactyl
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Posted: Sat Oct 30, 04 3:05 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Not sure on all the home/pro differences. though home has IMHO a dumbed down interface

I think XP Pro is also dumbed down from other versions. I'm currently working testing a large system being migrated from OS/2 to XP. It's the first time I've realy used it and it's very annoying as it tries to treat me as an idiot. It hides files, refuses to do certain things and what's with the slow display of drop down lists? It's possibly ideal for my mother but what about people who know what they're doing. Ah, Linux.

jema
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Posted: Sat Oct 30, 04 3:40 pm Post subject:
Give me a Linux system to configure any day of the week over windows. jema

mrutty

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 1578

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 04 3:53 pm Post subject:
Windows is great, it has happily kept me in work for 10 years. Long may insecure lemmingware continue. VMS is the only OS

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 8:23 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

BTW, what's the main differences between XP Home and XP Pro.

They're mostly on the networking side, Pro has terminal sevices built in, home doesn't

jema
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 8:31 am Post subject:
The differences are a good reminder of the benefit of open source, no one under Linux is figuring out how to cripple a system to divide market share. jema

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 9:46 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I'm currently working testing a large system being migrated from OS/2 to XP

There's still OS/2 systems out there? Next you'll be telling me you're implementing Dos 6.22

jema
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 9:50 am Post subject:
I was staggered to. I got os/2 off some scheme or other, and its install looped itself to death and it turned out I'd need a BIOS update at the very least to install it. Way to much trouble for the sake of playing, and this I never once saw it working. jema

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 9:53 am Post subject:
From what I remember there were loads of issues around hardware compatibilty with OS/2 can;t imagine why anyone would have implemented a big OS/2 system

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45674
Location: Essex

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 10:02 am Post subject:
Mind you at least it made it onto the market unlike BeOS

Treacodactyl
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Posted: Sun Oct 31, 04 12:42 pm Post subject:
I've used OS/2 at work for many years. Due to some of the support agreements running out most people will have to replace it. I don't remember any hardware problems, although I've only used it on IBM PCs.

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