Saving Money using Linux...

[Pupster]

G'day,
Found this article that's very relevant in the argument 'for' Linux.
http://www.infoworld.com/t/business/study-federal-government-can-save-billions-in-it-spending-788

Now let's move this article to Australia; how much could the
Government save? At least some US Departments use Linux - like the
very unknown and meek Department of Defense.

Think of it if our Education Department adopted Linux as its
foundation then families who can't afford a Windows and the necessary
software computer could now get a computer to continue thei children's
education at home.

I reckon this would be a good article for a "Letter to the Editor".

Cheers
Martin
PS. Will post a Saving Chart for switching to the Linux equivalent
programme.

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[Pupster]

G'day,
Here's a run-down of costs associated with running Windows 7.

Cost of Windows 7 = $199 - $469 - from MS Store
Cost of Office = $107 - $483
Cost of Photoshop Base = $150 (approx)
Cost of MYOB = $156 - $187
Cost of Quicken for business = $250+
Cost of Norton = $70 plus subscription
Cost of Corel Draw = $200 (approx)
Cost of Net Nanny = $40
Cost of Win 7 Capable computer = $600 (no printer or modem)
Prices from myshopping.com.au + Deals Direct
Norton includes Firewall + Virus Scanner

Minimum Total Price = $1500 with the Operating System

Cheers
Martin

[toady]

So it seems quite clear that, given the sub-A$400 laptops now on offer
from the major retail outlets (albeit with somewhat-retarded Win7 OEM)
that the dream of $50 laptops is a firm reality. Just have to persuade
the retailer to honour the Microsoft EULA and refund the cost of the
OS as it is wiped from the new machine...
Whirlpool posted the results of such a refund (with XP, I think) and I
think it took an individual in Melbourne 2 years of letters and
acrimony to get the promised outcome.

What we need is a retailer who will happily sell a 'barebones' laptop
- that'll stir the pot.

Cheers

[Polymorphherald]

G'day,
This is an unabridged copy of the letter which is going to the Editor
(I have to check the word count)....
"Title: Curb Government Spending

We're always asked to tighten our belts with increasing interest
rates, council rates, bils, etc.. How about the Government? Well
here's an area where they could save our tax dollars.

Linux and Open Source is generally free, you tend to only pay for
expertise for organisations.

Doing an exhaustive Web search on Australian Governments using Open
Source I found only small smattering of references here and there. So
one can only conclude that they use software that requires paying
licenses, updates and renewals.

It would be interesting if there was a study done to see how much
money the Government could save if they swapped. This study has been
done in the US and it was found that savings of over $20 Billion would
occur.

And, if Education Departments adopted Open Source families would not
have to struggle to pay for new computers, Operating Systems and
software. Families in debt stress would at least be assured that they
will have software for their children's education.

Nay-sayers have not looked into the state of Linux recently. Perhaps
they only remember the difficult old days; things are very different
now. Try arguing with the US Department of Defense, London and NY
Stock Exchange, Google, Amazon.com, IBM and the French Parliament all
using Linux to name a few!

For more information to save money go to the Toowoomba Linux Community
Forum at http://groups.google.com/group/toowoombalinux.
Martin Sheridan"

I am considering sending this to more than just The Chronicle.