My experience was similar to the one described below. I initiated a
shift to Linux/OpenOffice in a big NGO, and there were always the small
things which made OO different from MS, which they had to relearn, and
some things which they found easy in MS but not in OO. If not for the
political will of the NGO's officers, who essentially had to mandate the
shift for cost reasons, the users alone will stick with old, familiar
software.
My contribution to the earlier debates: FOSS should be set as the
government default software, without restricting choice if their experts
feel FOSS cannot meet their needs. Look at it this way: the default
setting in my word processor is <insert> mode. But I can always shift to
<overwrite> if I need to. In the same way, we want the government to
default to FOSS (for instance, all CPUs should come with FOSS
installed). Then if it is felt they really need commercial software,
they can always buy and install the software.
I do not know, though, if the Casino bill is worded like this.
Obet Verzola
From my experience as a migration specialist, I can assure you that
even if your target users are already convinced of FOSS superiority
both in security and stability, they will prefer to stick with
Windows.
Actual Case: After using Linux and OpenOffice, the users found that it
was such a "chore" to learn how to adjust to OpenOffice, that they
requested a transfer back to Windows and MS Office. Opting to pay
instead of learn.
They even prefered to stay with windows after being hit with viruses
and the computer crashes and hangs week after week. People are simply
resistant to change, even if it means having to endure viruses and
frequent downtimes due to crashes. For them the bottom line is
"Mahirap ang Linux / OpenOffice!"
The only time change was accepted was when the managers had the
political will to implement changes and the users were not given any
say in the matter. Then they took the time to learn and now they are
reaping the benefits. "Sanayan lang pala." is now their mantra.
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