No subject

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

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<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 12:19 PM, Raoul Snyman &lt;<a href="mailto:raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za">raoul.snyman at saturnlaboratories.co.za</a>&gt; wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<br>
One of the crucial parts of setting up a business of any size is costs.<br>
This is where Linux wins out over Windows. Also, not only is it free, but<br>
it&#39;s stable and, once set up, it doesn&#39;t need to be constantly pampered.<br>
</blockquote><div><br><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Raoul<br><br>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 &quot;If I am benefiting by the use of the
software&nbsp; in running my business then I agree to abide by its licensing
terms.&quot; Then Windows and proprietary software costs a fortune and Linux
is free!<br>
<br>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.<br><br>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.<br>
<br>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&#39;ll be done in a flash - when
they see me struggling with Inkscape! (BTW I would struggle just as
much with CorelDraw).<br>
<br>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&nbsp; for three reasons - <br><br>1&nbsp;
I was not sure if we had a licenses for it (was procured by&nbsp; brother
who was incapacitated and could not say if it was a legal&nbsp; copy) <br>
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<br>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.<br>
<br>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!!!!!<br><br>Just my 2 cents<br>
<br>Trev<br></div>&nbsp;</div></div><br>

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