Subject: [ILUG-BOM] Pushing Linux through small vendors
From: Dinesh Joshi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 19:53:41 +0530
To: "GNU/Linux Users Group, Mumbai, India" <[email protected]>
<snip>
But the problem with Open Office:
1. With average machines, it performs slow
2. The documents it generates are not 100% compatible with Ms.Office
3. Advanced features are not completely compatible
But they need to inter-operate with the rest of the world which means a
good compatibility is important.
Case 1:
WHEN
the recipient needs to read or view the file
THEN
use OpenOffice to create/edit,
then export to PDF,
and send the PDF to the recipient.
I think this above case covers 65% of nett usage and context.
Case 2:
WHEN
the recipient must read or view the file with M$Office
THEN
use OpenOffice to create/edit,
then save as the M$Office format (doc, xls, ppt)
and release that file.
I have not experienced any issues in
traffic FROM OpenOffice TO M$Office.
I think this above case covers 25% of nett usage and context.
Case 3:
WHEN
sender and recipient must collaborate on a document,
i.e both contribute to editing/marking/revising the file
via electronic file exchanges
THEN
it is most practial or efficient to work with the same
application/tool on both sides,
and this case is NOT specific to OpenOffice;
it is equally applicable to almost all computer applications,
especially those that do not support open standards/specifications
of data storage.
I think this above case covers 8% of nett usage and context.
Case 4:
WHEN
something other than above
THEN
I need to know more, to share my prescription for that case ;-)
I shall presume this above case covers the last 2% of nett usage &
context.
LASTLY,
if you take two similar segment cars for example,
how much of compatiblity is expected ?
Do we expect say an Indica and a Santro to be the same,
with all parts to be interchangeable ?
This example many can easily comprehend.
However, when it comes to M$Office and OpenOffice,
many of us tend to struggle with explaining
or realising compatiblity.
I guess we have to EITHER pay-up (and remain a loser)
OR move-up to open standards (with longer term gains).
The other issue that people in India generally face is of bandwidth.
Ubuntu installs well. It impresses them. But then it runs up HUGE bills
downloading softwares.
Figure out how to re-configure the linux-desktop so that it does
NOT get upates automatically via the internet - thus manage their
internet usage better. Instead use CD's to effect updates, as
other posters have suggested already.
With the virus-risks on Linux-based desktops being relatively
lower, not having the latest releases is often a non-issue,
in terms of real-life utility of the environment/computer,
for most average desktop users.
If you want to be up-with-the-Jones with the latest release,
then paying some price is inevitable (internet bandwidth costs).
Thanks
Vydya
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