[ Thanks to Gene
Alexander for this link. ]
“I am unashamedly an advocate for Open Source software.
I run a small business that offers custom built, inexpensive
computers with Open Source software preinstalled. I urge my clients
to move to Open Source software whenever it makes sense for them to
do so. This includes full systems such as Linux distributions and
cross-platform software such as OpenOffice.org Office Suite.
However, recently I have been disappointed by a test install of
OpenOffice.org for a charitable organization client of ours.“You see, this client is trying to find ways to reduce costs.
One method of cost reduction I always recommend is to evaluate
free, Open Source software as replacement for expensive,
proprietary, Closed Source software. This client, like many others
stuck in the proprietary software upgrade loop, is going to have to
move off of Microsoft XP Professional sometime before 2014 when it
will no longer be supported. Their computers will almost all have
to be replaced to be able to run Windows 7 well if they decide to
stick with Microsoft. Of course I am asking them to evaluate Open
Source, and they are. One of the decision makers has been running a
Linux distribution on his new home PC with a VirtualBox install of
Microsoft Vista for about two months now. He volunteered to do this
so he could be well informed for making a decision about the future
direction of the charity’s software needs.”