TooMuchGreen

One of the easiest and most popular cost saving routes into Open Source is a simple “Open Office >  MS Office” replacement. Open Office is a free and completely compatible alternative which even across a relatively small enterprise network can contribute substantially to major reductions in T.C.O through negating one area of software licensing expenditure. Compatible as it is, though, reluctancy for change at operational level is a big one, even more so at the user end as they’re the ones who like (?) to complain about the minutiae (of document formatting?).

There is a flip side however, a flip side which leaves *them* with their nice familiar Outlook & MS Word environment but provides even more secure stability & cost effective choice offered by open source. The answer? Simply migrate the operating system platform to Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is a free computer operating system with a 6 monthly upgrade cycle, it’s built on Linux so is inherently stable and incredibly secure (no virus checker required..!). For incorporated user account authentication into your Microsoft Active directory network the latest version (10.04 – Lucid Lynx) includes Likewise Open v5.4 pre-packaged (see previous post) whilst installation of the free WINE utility provides a seamless portal under which to install Microsoft Office (or any other Microsoft application), user & departmental shares are accessible for simple bookmarking and it’s all fluid and easy (click above screenshot for large version).

Operating an Ubuntu OS platform provides most alluring benefits for any pressured user support department..

• Ubuntu LTS releases offer a guaranteed 5 year support cycle
• Ubuntu runs efficiently and revitalises existing hardware
• Ubuntu is built on Linux so is inherently stable
• Ubuntu will not catch any PC viruses
• Ubuntu is licence-free

And last (but by no means least) – users can’t tinker or try to install their latest game or program as “.exe” files just don’t exist in Ubuntu. Yes, it is also possible to tie Windows down to prevent “tinkering” but have to do so is is yet another admin overhead, Ubuntu is nailed down out of the box and with a default Likewise logon even a knowing Linux geek has no privileges from the word go.

The inclusion of Likewise Open 5.4 in Ubuntu 10.04 LTS is a logical and forward thinking industry first, even Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop doesn’t include such ease of AD integration O.O.T.B. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Novell & SUSE fan but I have to question their self proclaimed tag as “the leading alternative to Microsoft Windows” (for business).

Lucid Lynx (final version) is due for release later this year in April and will be the market leading enterprise desktop replacement for Windows.

If you are interested in re-enabling and re-vitalising your existing I.T infrastructure through Linux & Open Source TooMuchGreen are your one stop shop from consultancy to migration..

Give us a call.