"One IT manager contacted by IT Week said he would now
test Linux computers "for the more computer-literate staff". This
approach was backed by Eddie Bleasdale of e-business consultancy
Netproject, who said laptops are harder to configure than PCs.
Others said they wanted to switch operating systems because they
were dissatisfied with Microsoft. One IT manager said high pricing,
security fears and other problems with Windows made a gradual
switch to open source likely, as his firm stopped upgrading its
Windows systems. Bleasdale said advances would give Linux the
performance of existing Windows tools, and would free firms from
Microsoft's upgrade cycle.
However, some fear that Linux is still too complicated for
general business use. Jerome Davis, IT manager at PDG Helicopters,
said users and IT support staff may lack the confidence to work
with Linux. He argued that Linux needs a similar look and feel to
Windows to be competitive."
