For example, imagine the tech support difference for the following scenario - 100 typists in a typing pool using only email and a word processor.
Scenario 1: Every machine is windows and has its own HDD with local apps, etc.
Scenario 2: Every machine is a somewhat thin client (LTSP), with the apps being stored on a central server, each machine has no HDD.
Scenario 2, assuming that there is reduncancies in the main server would (I imagine) be easier and cheaper to maintain. It also scales better, you could add another 100 machines without needing to hire any more people.
Of course, there probably aren't too many mid to large size businesses that actually work like #2.
Cheers Brad
Derek Smithies wrote:
Hi,
My comment could be rephrased, whatever OS you use, there is always going to be
maintenance, services, and training costs.
I have heard figures of up to $100 a week for the cost to run a computer in an office environment. This figure is derived from downtime, tech support, and then licenses+hardware costs.
IF the figure of $100 a week is believable, it would suggest that the big cost of running a computer is not licenses.
A colleague argues that for every 50 staff, you need one tech support person. Simple calculation, each computer there is costing $1000 a year, $20 week. Now, if that computer is used in a business for 3 years, the tech support cost is higher than the licenses.
Derek. ====================
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004, Yuri de Groot wrote:
On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 16:45, you wrote:
Using OSS shifts the cost from licensing (sending money overseas) and compliance costs to maintenance, services, integration and training (spending money locally).The MS lad said, "In fact, open source software is not free. It is very expensive because it shifts the cost to maintenance, services, integration and training"
I rephrase this as::
"In fact, MS software is very expensive. It is very expensive because it
shifts the cost to maintenance, services, integration and training"
I'd rather spend my tax dollars locally on productive things like maintenance, services and training than send it overseas for boolshyt things like licensing and burdonsome compliance krap.
Yuri
