Chances and Risks of migrating to Linux (from Windows)
Discussion
m12_nathan said:
I guess the risks depend on if you are talking about one user at home or 100000 users in a corporate environment. Can we have more detail about what you are considering?
Oh yes, sorry. It's for average private users. I've started really using computers with Linux, so can't quite imagine what an average private user has to adapt to when coming from Windows. When I recommend Linux, I obviously can only recommend stuff that I know that doesn't work on Windows or its UI.
Good input here. I've posted this thread because I sometimes get asked "Can I use Linux for my stuff too?" from friends or colleagues. I really don't know what to answer then other than they'd need a separate console for high end gaming.
I myself have a solution in Linux for all my needs and probably see stuff through rose tinted glasses. As an industrial designer, I am satisfied with the CAD and DTP and graphics applications available for Linux; however other characters may not like to try stuff and play around with software to get used to it. That, however, would at least be obligatory in order to apply the stuff learned with Photoshop at university to The Gimp on Linux. While I apreciate the independence in Linux, others may focus more on stuff they already know, or that everybody else uses.
In two cases, people asked me to help them get into using computers, which they had never used before (think: "What's this button on the keyboard for?"
. As said, these people are easy to introduce to anything, since they don't have rigid imaginations on how the principals of computer-using shall work. TBH, I bought the pensioner couple an iMac. Not only because its design was compatible to their house's interior, but because they would not have to service it with antivir and antimalware, but because they could get support elsewhere; ie. their kids.
The other one is a friend, aged then 26, that didn't ever had to use computers, except for email at work. He moved on to become a self-employed sales agent, and that's where he asked me to go buy a PC with him. Him being an open-minded chap, I introduced him to the environment I use; and which he would use for information research, communication and his administrative stuff. He started with KDE, and he only ever comes back to me, when he wants to buy eligible hardware, such as a smartphone that would sync with his PIM software, Kontact (it's a Palm Treo, btw).
Plotloss, I recall you started looking into Linux some time ago. As an experienced Windows-user, would you recommend -say, a Gnome desktop- to an average user who regularly uses a Win-desktop, that deals with Office-stuff, email, websurfing (+vids) and a digital camera?
- I would; but what do I know where they're coming from!
I myself have a solution in Linux for all my needs and probably see stuff through rose tinted glasses. As an industrial designer, I am satisfied with the CAD and DTP and graphics applications available for Linux; however other characters may not like to try stuff and play around with software to get used to it. That, however, would at least be obligatory in order to apply the stuff learned with Photoshop at university to The Gimp on Linux. While I apreciate the independence in Linux, others may focus more on stuff they already know, or that everybody else uses.
In two cases, people asked me to help them get into using computers, which they had never used before (think: "What's this button on the keyboard for?"
. As said, these people are easy to introduce to anything, since they don't have rigid imaginations on how the principals of computer-using shall work. TBH, I bought the pensioner couple an iMac. Not only because its design was compatible to their house's interior, but because they would not have to service it with antivir and antimalware, but because they could get support elsewhere; ie. their kids. The other one is a friend, aged then 26, that didn't ever had to use computers, except for email at work. He moved on to become a self-employed sales agent, and that's where he asked me to go buy a PC with him. Him being an open-minded chap, I introduced him to the environment I use; and which he would use for information research, communication and his administrative stuff. He started with KDE, and he only ever comes back to me, when he wants to buy eligible hardware, such as a smartphone that would sync with his PIM software, Kontact (it's a Palm Treo, btw).
Plotloss, I recall you started looking into Linux some time ago. As an experienced Windows-user, would you recommend -say, a Gnome desktop- to an average user who regularly uses a Win-desktop, that deals with Office-stuff, email, websurfing (+vids) and a digital camera?
- I would; but what do I know where they're coming from!
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