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Linux is NOT FREE
I've read quite a bit of everything in the postings here. Linux fanatics LOVE to oversimplify the matter. We aren't JUST talking icons on the desktop, we are talking the WAY each program works, WHERE their menus take them and WHAT is available within the program. The work arounds for standard items in MS software that are lacking in Star/OpenOffice, etc.

Then there is the cost of the programmers, not to mention office automation that will no longer function that was done by 'non-programmers' (usually users with a great deal of VBA knowledge).

We have run our tests here. Linux won't work without millions spent ... so much for the free. We actually use main-frame, UNIX, LINUX, and MS depending on the data and size. Each servers their purpose. However, for the general work envioronment and 'common' folks, nothing beats MS ... sorry guys, you are wrong about the training costs not being relevant. Maybe not for a small company ... but, it's huge for a large one.

Anyone who works in a large corporate structure will know this. Those who want to ignore or underestimate training costs are plain stupid. Well, unless Linux/Star/OpenOffice have mimicked MS right down to Word,Access,Excel,Outlook,PPT, etc to the point that the menus and funtionality/programability is identical also. Otherwise, you have foks sitting around wondering how to do the same thing in a different piece of sofware (IF it will do it.). Please don't try to say functionality is not lost and Star/OpenOffice does everything that MS Office does.

Patches? ... for 10,000+ users in primarily two countries, we have no issues and never any real problems with viruses either.

GET REAL. Go home and tell all your friends how cool you are with open-source and how you are the David fighting the big bad M$. But, leave the one-sided tiny thinking out of public forums please.
Posted by: gary.douglas@...   Posted on: 10/14/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Hmmm....It seem free software isn't so free after all  chrislovesdana | 10/14/04
Do not be so smug.....  ONEstar | 10/14/04
I'm confused  Omch'Ar | 10/14/04
Linux is NOT FREE  gary.douglas@... | 10/14/04
Freedom is priceless.  catlord17 | 10/15/04
Training costs significantly higher with Linux..  d_jedi | 10/15/04
True or not  Linux User 147560 | 10/15/04
That's true..  d_jedi | 10/15/04
Nothing New in Linux?  djbuell | 10/14/04
What a joke  openMind | 10/14/04
clueless ?  MetaVoid | 10/15/04
Um, it's about "freedom", not "low cost".  Jomo_z | 10/15/04
How loose weight and why would you want to  voska | 10/15/04
Incompetent Buffoons  Jeff Spicoli | 10/14/04
So...  PA-ITGuy | 10/14/04
Correction...  PA-ITGuy | 10/14/04
Training wheels  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/14/04
He makes it sound as though you're teaching them to speak Russian  Jeff Spicoli | 10/14/04
Not rocket science  PA-ITGuy | 10/14/04
OK,  PA-ITGuy | 10/14/04
I believe you are making an assumption...  Physco Dude | 10/14/04
Yes I am.  PA-ITGuy | 10/14/04
Well, you tell me..  Jeff Spicoli | 10/14/04
Your assumption is wrong  wolf_z | 10/15/04
There are alternatives...  Linux User 147560 | 10/15/04
Vs the costs to retrian on M$ versions?  ITGuy04 | 10/14/04
1 day class  PA-ITGuy | 10/15/04
I doubt they'd notice the differnce  voska | 10/15/04
Nothing to do with French  openMind | 10/14/04
It would be very useful  michael-t | 10/14/04
You are so right!  ONEstar | 10/14/04
You are correct...  help4pki | 10/14/04
It would  seosamh_z | 10/14/04
Okay, so We're moving to Linux...**  The King's Servant | 10/14/04
So for you  seosamh_z | 10/14/04
Don't forget..  d_jedi | 10/15/04
Doing it right ...  George Mitchell | 10/14/04
... when bids have not been awarded.  Anton Philidor | 10/14/04
There will be setbacks ...  George Mitchell | 10/14/04
... but IBM has something to prove?  Anton Philidor | 10/14/04
RE: No gain in functionality  catlord17 | 10/15/04
Money for nothing.  Anton Philidor | 10/15/04
The costs are all near term costs ...  George Mitchell | 10/15/04
In the long run...  Anton Philidor | 10/15/04
... as opposed to doing it wrong ...  George Mitchell | 10/17/04
I don't get it  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/14/04
You must be running Windows happy  The King's Servant | 10/14/04
A gentoo rep flying to Paris...  Anton Philidor | 10/14/04
What? I get no props for my sutle puns...  The King's Servant | 10/15/04
This league has high standards.  Anton Philidor | 10/15/04
Smart move by silly city...  Mike Cox | 10/14/04
Silly Post by redundant poster  ONEstar | 10/14/04
Another one bites  Yagotta B. Kidding | 10/14/04
Stop smirking happy NT  seosamh_z | 10/14/04
Well, it's just France  FilledOut | 10/14/04
Rumsfeld has agreed  The King's Servant | 10/14/04
Change and costs  gardoglee | 10/14/04
Wrong again. re-read the article  The King's Servant | 10/14/04
Who Cares?  djbuell | 10/14/04
France?  kn0w1t4ll | 10/14/04
Hmmm, I wonder about the negative remarks.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 10/14/04
Aaauuuurrrgggghhhhh! We agree?  The King's Servant | 10/14/04
slow is good  CobraA1 | 10/15/04
I am guessing no-ax would be not be commenting  V Sanders | 10/15/04
The following means .... ??  koenigsr | 10/14/04
Probably a lot of junk held together with duct tape and bailing wire.  DonnieBoy | 10/14/04
Recognize Politics When You See It.  lbattis@... | 10/14/04
Yes you need say more.  Anton Philidor | 10/14/04
Raise your game  alan_cummings@... | 10/15/04
Why must the kernel be rebuilt to wit, modules?  The King's Servant | 10/15/04
What version are you using?  Linux User 147560 | 10/15/04
False.  catlord17 | 10/15/04
Paris And Linux: Typical Yanks.  bargeemike | 10/15/04
Very well put, Mike.  The King's Servant | 10/15/04
Well put but...  Physco Dude | 10/15/04
Is a security sys. for your house a luxury? If so, keep the door open. (NT)  Vily Clay | 10/15/04
This is GREAT news no matter what the spin!  Laff | 10/15/04
I'm not so sure  Physco Dude | 10/15/04
I agree with you on the lack of responisibility and  Laff | 10/15/04
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: cost compare with Windows98 to Windows XP migration  hipparchus2000 | 10/15/04
a one time cost vs a reoccuring cycle of costs  V Sanders | 10/15/04

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