Outlook and Linux

[Olafur Arason]

I'm now going to speculate what you were asking:
That the client wanted a mixed solution where he has linux and windows
computers:
The use something like Microsoft Exchange Server if he has exsisting
licence, has a plugin for Evolution.
Or Novell Groupwise, has a plugin for Evolution, and a native client
for windows.
Or Open Exchange, OpenGroupware, hula, think they have support in
Evolution and there is a several solution for Outlook, like bynari
also opensource solutions like http://remotecalendars.sourceforge.net/
and OltkCon. You can always use ldap for contacts, these are mostly
for calendar.
Then there is exporting ical to a webserver like ~/.public_html and
sharing it like that. Then there is iFolder which can be used in
creative ways.
He can use the Thunderbird and Sunbird on windows they have support
for alot of solutions.
If the client wants an totally linux environment then:
Use Evolution and any of the above solutions more easilly, withought
the problem of dealing with Outlook.
Using Outlook and possibly Microsoft Office with Crossover Office.
If he wants an windows environment he can use alot of the serveses above.

If you are trying to move them over then it's up to you to plan and
execute the tranference. There are alot of professional support
providers that can help if you don't feel up to it. It's very import
to plan ahead and try to sort out problem when they come, like having
one Microsoft Office to fix documents. Training is very important, if
they don't want that then they are not ready for they change. This is
not about getting any long sale but to move people that would benfit
from opensource software.

Olafur Arason
Ps there is always help here, but try to ask precise questions and
possibly file a bug report. Example Evolution doesn't support a
feature that Outlook has <insert your feature>. Threats don't work
well, like if you don't supply me with information now about some
advanced thing for nothing, because it's open source, regardless of
that alot of companies are making alot of money because it takes an
administrator to run it and it involves intergrating seamlessly alot
of features.


2005/11/1, Eric S. Johansson <esj at harvee.org>:
> this may be another one of those for want of a ... a Linux sale was lost
> cases.  The only reason I bring them here is to try and make the
> fundamental problems in the real world visible and work out what are
> reasonable solutions.
>
> I was asked in this by a client today.  How do you share Outlook
> calendar and contacts using a Linux system as the core?  Simple
> filesharing doesn't work because Microsoft screwed the pooch with the
> resource locking.
>
> I know about bynari and a couple of other players but they are all
> rather expensive (quantity 100: $90-$150 which is a significant chunk of
> change) and want to own the customer from client all the way through to
> mail server with all of the solutions for antispam, virus etc. coming
> from them.
>
> Answers like "don't use Outlook" are not really helpful.  They are
> married to it and they are on Windows desktop for the foreseeable
> future[1].  On the other hand, if there was an equivalent client with
> exactly the same functionality in terms of e-mail, calendars, and
> contact sharing, they may be open to that kind of change.
>
> So, how does one solve this problem.  (Telling me to go to a different
> form is perfectly acceptable)
>
> ---eric
>
> [1] about three or four months ago they tried converting a few people to
> open office so they could cut down the number of Microsoft office
> purchases they were making.  The conversion failed miserably.  This
> organization lives and dies by spreadsheets that are shipped around.  If
> it is going to be a replacement for Excel, the conversion must be
> perfect.  Everything must behave identically.  Close enough and fudge
> it, doesn't cut it because these are salespeople dealing with product
> and customers with a very short turnaround cycle.  stuff that isn't
> exactly as it was, makes their hearts beat faster and not in a good way.
>
> try open office 2.0?  not likely.  The experience was so bad it's going
> to take a while for people to forget.
>
>
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