Novell to release enhanced Linux in fall

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Apps - good enough?

We would like to get our desktops running Linux. Challenges:

OpenOffice: The spreadsheet lacks support for really advanced math, so our scientific staff and likely our accountants will gripe if we take away Excel.

CAD: Our CAD staff have built their careers on AutoCAD. They also insist on PhotoShop for airphoto prep, etc.

Analytical stuff: Our staff uses various scientific analysis programs for Windows. AFAIK there's virtually nothing Linux-based to replace them with.

Solutions:

OpenOffice.org - I think higher math spreadsheet functions will be added as usage grows.

AutoCAD - if you're in a position to do so, call Autodesk saying you're working on your 2005 software budget, and that you need a Linux version of AutoCAD. Tell them you're also considering Microstation, and pressure them for a release date.

Other small-market Windows programs (for us, the scientific ones) - if you wield some buying power, put some pressure on these companies to certify and support their Windows apps for use on Wine. If their developers realize they have to do it, they'll get involved in the Wine-support community, and Wine will improve as developers demand improvements to it. That, or they'll redevelop them as a Java or a real Linux app.

Here's one place you can tell them to go:
http://www.codeweavers.com/site/compatibility/certify

So the situation is improving, but if your company is stuck with a legacy specialized Windows app that is no longer supported, it's still grim. But you can put it on a Windows Terminal Server, and let your Linux users login with the RDP client for Linux.

Anybody have better answers for the above?

Posted by: netminder   Posted on: 11/08/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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