No subject

project,
not just the Linux on the desktop project, it is clear that FOSS use by =
the
VCS can be a viable and extremely cost effective alternative to =
proprietary
software. It could also eventually result in software solutions much =
better
adapted to VCS use than present proprietary "off the shelf" solutions =
that
are often aimed primarily at users in the business sector.

The rapid recent development of user friendly Graphical User Interfaces =
for
Linux distributions, particularly Ubuntu, have created products that can
quickly convince end users of Linux usability. However for FOSS to be =
able
to establish itself within the sector it will need to adopt a clear =
strategy
aimed primarily at decision makers:

* Concerns about longterm technical support have to be addressed. Much =
of
this will need to be done nationally through development of a Linux user
group dedicated to the VCS, training ICT circuit riders in Linux =
support, a
national VCS help desk and knowledge base for Linux, etc. Pressure needs =
to
be put on technical support suppliers to force them from entrenched
positions of only supporting Microsoft operating systems.

* Although there are clear parallels between the ethos of the VCS and =
the
Free Software community few VCS decision makers will decide to switch to
FOSS solely on ethical or political grounds. Cost is a much more viable
reason in their eyes and it is most effective when they are considering =
new
ICT investment. Management are open to the argument that they are not =
doing
their job properly if they are not considering the cost savings that =
arise
from using FOSS, other things being equal. This can be taken advantage =
of
initially through developing a number of very cost effective FOSS =
solutions
to key needs of the sector that involve little disruption of existing =
work
practices - use of Open Office, Firefox, Thunderbird cross platform FOSS
programs, LAMP based CMS websites, Linux file server and backup systems,
suitable LAMP based groupware programs running on an internal Linux =
server,
etc.=20

* By proving the viability, stability, security and cost effectiveness =
of
even a relatively small initial number of FOSS solutions the conditions =
can
be created for convincing management to seriously think about moving =
more
widely to FOSS when it comes to times for considering major new ICT
investments, such as replacing old hardware, software upgrades, etc. =
This
present project represented an initial step in that direction.


References and Sources:

1. Source: http://foss.ciac.org.uk/article43.html

2. Interim assessments of using Ubuntu by participating organisations.
http://foss.ciac.org.uk/IMG/doc/Interim_assessments.doc

3. Herts Citizens Advice interim assessment. Longer interim assessment =
from
Herts Citizens Advice.
http://foss.ciac.org.uk/IMG/doc/Herts_Citizens_Advice_interim_report.doc

4. Voluntary Action Luton interim assessment. Longer interim assessment =
from
Voluntary Action Luton.
http://foss.ciac.org.uk/IMG/doc/Voluntary_Action_Luton_interim_report.doc=
 =20

5. Questionnaire Replies. Questionnaire Replies from all 10 =
participating
organisations. http://foss.ciac.org.uk/IMG/doc/Questionnaire_replies.doc

Forwarded for information purposes by

Fouad Riaz Bajwa
FOSS Advocate




Forwarded for information purposes by
-----------------------
Fouad Riaz Bajwa
FOSS Advocate
Ubuntu Linux Pakistan Team



--=20
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/477 - Release Date: =
10/16/2006
=20