Ross Johnson wrote: > Chuck wrote: > >> Fred A. Miller wrote: >> >> >>> GOOD article! >>> >>> Fred >>> >>> How to succeed >>> Learning from his own mistakes, Holt offers this advice to IT shops >>> who want to dump MS Office for non-Microsoft desktops: Remove the >>> outgoing office suite and enforce usage of OpenOffice. "Once someone >>> is used to it, they don't go back," Holt said. There has to be a >>> "no-going-back policy." >>> Talk about success stories to show that others have been able to make >>> the change and like it. >>> Relate the cost savings to company profitability and potential >>> salary/benefit increases. >>> >>> "OpenOffice is now ready for the workstation, as is The GIMP," Holt >>> said. He firmly believes that Linux should not be relegated to the >>> back room. >>> >> >> I would add one more suggestion. In the event that an employee does >> switch back to MS Office, make them pay for their own license out of >> their own pocket. >> >> > That will alienate the employee even more than they feel already, and it > may even open up ownership issues, or contravene industrial laws. The > negative effects of draconian methods soon spread beyond the workplace > into families and ultimately into the community. It is far better to > work with the employee to help both the company and the employee > understand just what their attachment is to MO so that they can, with > the right assistance, "de-program" themselves. And if they already have > a such a strongly imprintable personality then why not turn them into an > asset for the company. > > The article is also further evidence of the market effect that this must > ultimately have as more companies make the switch. If > OpenOffice/Linux/FOSS really does improve the bottom line, then the > market will ultimately force competitors to switch as well. > > Ross
Hogwash. When you start a job you are told what software the company uses and there is no option to use another alternative because you like it better. This is standard practice. Why should that change just because it's MS Office? What do you think would happen if an employee starts a job where the corporate standard is MSO but they decide they want to install and use OOo instead? I'll tell you. First time around it would be a warning and the software would be removed. Second time they'd be in the unemployment line. Even allowing the option to install MSO in the case cited is bending over backwards to accomodate the employee and it should be made clear that it is not supported. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
