[ubuntu-za] [Small Business]

[Hilton Theunissen]

Trevor I like this:

" Perhaps one way to advance the open source /Linux (Free as in beer)
 > software angle is for us Linux/open source advocates to actively lobby
 > for piracy to be cracked down on."

Kind regards.

Hilton Theunissen
Inkululeko Technologies
Tel: +27 11 462 9124
Fax-to-mail: 086 603 5263
Mobile: +27 72 900800 1
E-mail: hilton at inkululeko.co.za
http://www.tuxlab.org.za


Trevor Hughes wrote:
> 
> 
> On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 12:19 PM, Raoul Snyman 
> <raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za 
> <mailto:raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za>> wrote:
> 
> 
>     One of the crucial parts of setting up a business of any size is costs.
>     This is where Linux wins out over Windows. Also, not only is it
>     free, but
>     it's stable and, once set up, it doesn't need to be constantly pampered.
> 
> 
>  
> Raoul
> 
> Whilst I agree with your sentiments, Windows is still essentially free 
> as if small businesses want to cut costs they can just pirate it and any 
> other software they need. Pirating software is the norm and most people 
> think absolutely nothing of it. Linux will appeal to those with a senses 
> of fair play an morality that says "If I am benefiting by the use of the 
> software  in running my business then I agree to abide by its licensing 
> terms." Then Windows and proprietary software costs a fortune and Linux 
> is free!
> 
> After all how many small businesses do you know of have been shut down 
> due to using pirate software despite those shocking ads on TV by the BSA.
> 
> Perhaps one way to advance the open source /Linux (Free as in beer) 
> software angle is for us Linux/open source advocates to actively lobby 
> for piracy to be cracked down on.
> 
> I use windows at work and have all the free open source stuff that I can 
> including Open Office (core use) and then GIMP/Inkscape (minor but 
> important use nonetheless).appropriate. Users (thankfully only a few) 
> still say - Give me coreldraw and I'll be done in a flash - when they 
> see me struggling with Inkscape! (BTW I would struggle just as much with 
> CorelDraw).
> 
>  From a business side of things I feel it is only fair to pay for 
> software if you use it particularly your core software - I REMOVED MS 
> Office and replaced it with OpenOffice  for three reasons -
> 
> 1  I was not sure if we had a licenses for it (was procured by  brother 
> who was incapacitated and could not say if it was a legal  copy)
> 2. We were using it on two computers and I know for sure that even if we 
> had bought it we would only have bought 1 copy
> 3. It was core software and I needed it on all my pcs (5 in total). No 
> way was I gonna buy 5 MS Office licenses and I was not prepared to 
> pirate any longer.
> 
> So in terms of feeling morally OK and having decent software I have 
> saved thousands by using open source. People who pirate also save 
> thousands but can not stand on the moral highground that I do!!!!!
> 
> Just my 2 cents
> 
> Trev
>  
>