----- Original Message -----
From: Ham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Brad Maxwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 11:55 AM
Subject: Re: Backing talk with action? (was: Re: News from the Mouth front)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Brad Maxwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: Ham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 11:11 AM
> Subject: RE: Backing talk with action? (was: Re: News from the Mouth
front)
>
>
> > S'cuse me?!
>
> I think it is imprtant to keep in mind this discussion involves helping
> non-profits and perhaps schools. The rules are obviously different for
> commercial operations.
>
> >
> > And what did they get from compusa when they bought that silly windows
box
> > that they currently have?
>
> Not really the point. Who knows where they got their machines and what
> level of support they have as a result. The issue is what does it take to
> get non-profits and schools to try Linux and to use it
> > >
> > And what did you get last time you bought a car from AutoFair - or for
> that
> > matter a new car dealer?
>
> When I bought my last car I got a waranty and the ability to have them
come
> and get the car and repair it for free during the warranty period. In
fact
> the nature and extent of the warranty and the reputation of the dealer's
> shop are factors that determine what I will buy and from whom.
>
> >The argument that the linux
> > solution is cheaper in the long-run is in part due to the fact that they
> > would probably spend less in software lisencing costs over the lifetime
of
> > the systems with a linux solution
>
> This really isn't much of an issue for schools and nonprofits. They get
> software for next to nothing...in some cases nothing. That includes MS
> software. I once talked to a district technical director about using Squid
> rather than MS Proxy Server. His response was he had all the licenses for
> Proxy Server anyway because they got them as part of the NT package MS
> provided so cost was not even an issue. Rather I believe Linux solutions
> are better for these entities due to its stability, reliability,
> flexibility, and breadth of solutions. They are more concerned about how
> well things work and what it takes to keep it working.
> >
> >
> > I am not willing to work in a professional capacity supporting a
business
> > application for free.
>
> Of course and that is not what I am suggesting. What I am saying is that
if
> we go to a non-profit or school and set up a Linux server or whatever,
then
> we really need to think about what level of support will be provided to
> encourage them to take that step and to assure the installation is seen by
> them as a success. It is doing more harm than good to leave them "up a
> creek without a paddle" and have the installation fail. Telling them to
find
> the answer on the web or via users' groups will not cut it when it hits
the
> fan. Should we strive to make them self sufficient and able to use those
> resources? Absolutely. But they also will need hand holding from time to
> time and they need to know there is a hand to hold.
>
> Again, I participated in a discussion group that included people in
> education from around the country who are at the forefront of using Linux
in
> education. They repeatedly said one of the critical factors in their
> adoption of Linux was that after a local LUG/enthusiast set up the Linux
> machines and showed them the ropes, they offered to respond to problems
and
> help expand the system when called upon. This was seen as crucial to
> establishing the comfort level to enable them "bank" on a Linux solution.
> These people are now very knowledgeable Linux users and are developing and
> implementing sophisticated Linux solutions for school districts. But when
> they started, they needed a hand to hold or they never would have taken
the
> risk.
>
>
> Ed Lawson
>
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