I think some of the greatest opportunities for software alternatives like Open
Office and Linux exist in small business, where the entrepreneurial spirits are
highest and budgets are lowest. Workers there are more likely to make an extra
effort to learn new things and challenge the status quo for their own sakes.
Derek Wilson
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: [users] Re: Two ways Microsoft sabotages Linux desktop adoption
Chuck wrote:
>Fred A. Miller wrote:
> >
>>GOOD article!
>>
>>Fred
>>
>>How to succeed >>
>>Learning from his own mistakes, Holt offers this advice to IT shops who want
>>>>to dump MS Office for non-Microsoft desktops: >>Remove the outgoing office
>>suite and enforce usage of OpenOffice. "Once >>someone is used to it, they
>>don't go back," Holt said. There has to be >>a "no-going-back policy." >>
>>Talk about success stories to show that others have been able to make the
>>>>change and like it. >>
>>Relate the cost savings to company profitability and potential
>>salary/benefit >>increases.
>>
>>"OpenOffice is now ready for the workstation, as is The GIMP," Holt said. He
>>>>firmly believes that Linux should not be relegated to the back room.
>> >>
>
>I would add one more suggestion. In the event that an employee does
>switch back to MS Office, make them pay for their own license out of
>their own pocket.
> >
That will alienate the employee even more than they feel already, and it may
even open up ownership issues, or contravene industrial laws. The negative
effects of draconian methods soon spread beyond the workplace into families and
ultimately into the community. It is far better to work with the employee to
help both the company and the employee understand just what their attachment is
to MO so that they can, with the right assistance, "de-program" themselves. And
if they already have a such a strongly imprintable personality then why not
turn them into an asset for the company.
The article is also further evidence of the market effect that this must
ultimately have as more companies make the switch. If OpenOffice/Linux/FOSS
really does improve the bottom line, then the market will ultimately force
competitors to switch as well.
Ross
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