Received an answer and a follow-up from Sun on StarOffice. See notes below.
Free, but there's a catch. We're not considered an Educational Institution until we complete the application, attached. Conversation turned quickly to SunRays, their thin clients. They are about $200/each if one has monitors, plus the server, $9-15K+, dependng on processors, storage, etc. A two processor version could support 50 users @ $9K plus HD plus support, ($1200.00). Network should be switched to the desktop, preferably 100Mb. OS would be Solaris, Desktop applications would be StarOffice and web browser. The rep, Steve, has a demo at Graceland university, and might be able to get one to this side of the state next week if there's interest. Any takers? --------------------- Hi Steve, Thank you for your interest in Sun's Star Office. I'm happy to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge. >> > > >> > > I am writing to ask for more info on your Star Office Suite. >> > > 1) does the suite come in multiple flavors, e.g., Linux, Max OSX, etc.? Star Office currently comes with versions for Windows, Linux, Solaris and OS2. I have encouraged development of a Mac version and they tell me one is in the works. I do know that version 6.0 will not have a Mac version. >> > > 2) does the purchased CD have all the flavors? > Version 5.2 has all versions on 1 CD. Version 5.2 is still free and I've been told that version 6 will continue to be be free for Education customers. >> > > 3) can we submit purchase orders? > You can submit purchase orders once an educational entity has completed an Education Volume End User Purchase Agreement with Sun. This is something that might best be done at the AEA level. The Education discount is only available to institutions that have completed this agreement. >> > > 4) What are our support options? > Support is available for Star Office. Pricing is based on the number of users and software support is discounted 60% for education customers. The list price to support 1 - 249 users is $635, $254 net, 250 - 499 users, $1,042 list, $416.80 net. >> > > 5) Is there onsite training available, or packaged training? > Star Office is remarkably similar to Microsoft Office. I would recommend you download version 5.2 (http://www.sun.com/staroffice/get.html). You'll see it's an easy product for those familiar with the conventions of office products. Remember Star Office can read and write Microsoft Office files. >> > > 6) Rumor has it that the product will not be free in a month or two. >> > > True? > Sun has determined that Star Office should become a source of revenue. When Version 6.0 is released to the general public there will be a charge of between $50 and $100 for the full kit (media and documentation). As I mentioned before I've been told the license will continue to be free for Education customers and the rumor is that the CD will be priced at just $2. >> > > 7) When's the next version upgrade due? > The current projection for the release of Star Office 6.0 is this Spring. >> > > 8) Are updates free (vs. upgrades?) > Given the pricing I would recommend the purchase of support. It'll still be MUCH less expensive than Microsoft Office. Thanks for your interest in Sun and Star Office. If cost savings are of interest you may want to consider migration to Sun Rays. They are currently available under a matching grant program (http://www.sun.com/edu/matchinggrant). Please call the Toll Free number below with any questions. Regards, Steve Chandler Open Technologies Phone 515-251-8282 x224 TOLL FREE phone 888-346-8042 x224 Sun Microsystems Campus Agent for Iowa and Nebraska Sign up for your own copy of SUN JOURNAL http://www.sun.com/sunjournal/ Current EDu promotions until March 29, 2002: http://www.sun.com/products-n-solutions/edu/promotions/dws_promos.html For Student and Faculty purchases, direct your customers to School Zone. http://store.sun.com/docs/specials/workstations/schoolZone.jhtml
EDUApplication.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
EDUENDUSER.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
