On Fri, 2005-06-24 at 09:30 +0800, JM Ibanez wrote: > On 6/23/05, Dean Michael Berris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Business-wise, it's even better to invest on non-free software to offer > > the most familiar and most "user friendly" (not to mention popular) > > software titles out there. And it's always better to show your > > investors/partners and maybe shareholders a bottom line that's positive > > due to sales volume -- and not because of low maintenance costs and very > > little sales. > > > > Maybe there are avenues where Linux is better for business -- perhaps > > mail servers, DNS servers, and server markets. However a detailed study > > should be done for better analysis of a system within a given context. >
<snipped /> > Why would this be a Good Thing? Well, in this case, the shop owner can > concentrate on providing more services to his clients-- it's a win-win > situation. People can listen to streamed music while gamers have > lag-free Ragnarok. With such a gateway box, the owner could likewise > expand into other uses (say, being able to hook up a monitoring client > or even a cafe timekeeper), without too much additional cost. And the > enabling technology here is the Linux gateway-- not the desktop. ;) > I agree with this -- but it's solving one problem using one solution. If you really think about it, trying to serve maybe 20 units through a 512 kbps DSL line would be a challenge even if your gateway is Linux or any other capable operating system. If he wanted "lag-free" pRO, he'd get more bandwith and be able to provide better service cost-effectively -- and then use it in conjunction with Linux. That's a more "scalable" solution too, since in the long run (if he has the plans of expanding) his infrastructure can scale well with his needs. > So maybe the desktop isn't a good fit at the moment. Big deal. The > backend is also an enabler, and does make good business sense. > True. ;) So maybe someone should start building cheap 386 linux routers and start selling them to computer shops for 5000 pesos each. *hint* *hint* > > It boils down really to where the money is -- and right now (AFAIK) > > Linux/Open Source and Computer Shops do not mix well, and that's not > > where the money is. > > This is where I beg to differ. Although Linux will not prosper *at > front*, it will, as I point out, prosper at the backend. Eventually, > of course, we'll see shops with Linux desktops. Soon, my pretties. ;) > Ok, let's put this in context. In business you have a bottom line: a big contributory factor to business decisions. The savings you get from using Linux on the back end are considerable, and the value you get from it is very much welcome for the cost of acquisition. However, it doesn't necessarily translate to a money in your pockets, and that's what I mean by Linux/Open Source and Computer Shops do not mix well and that that's not where the money is. But if a try-out shows that putting Linux on the back-end translates to improved sales and a better profit margin for the computer shop owner (s), then definitely it would be a good choice -- otherwise it's as good as any other choice. > > > > However, I still like Linux and it's place in the market -- only not in > > computer shops. > > Sometimes it's the invisible presence that counts more than the visible one. > But in business, it has to help your bottom line. Shrewd yes, but that's business. Unless you don't keep your bottom line looking good, then it doesn't matter if you were running Linux or any other operating system. ;) However, most of the time, the low cost of acquisition and maintenance over time of Linux and software running on Linux contribute to better bottom lines with reduced expenses. That's one thing, but increasing your profit margin is another. The first statement doesn't necessarily allow for the second to be made easy. ;) -- Dean Michael C. Berris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> GPG Key: 0x08AE6EAC http://mikhailberis.blogspot.com Mobile: +63 921 7841815
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