[QCLUG] Linux VS MS

[Jim Hall]

Arron Lorenz wrote:
> Well I?ve been following this discussion while i was at work today. So 
> here?s my two cents.
> 
> I think that the stand point of the LUG ought to be "Action through 
> education"
> 
> I think it would be great to get our city?s government transformed to a 
> more Linux friendly environment but the issue with that is the FUD that 
> is associated with free software from the current for-pay software 
> vendors. If I were to start attacking this issue I would start with 
> Linux friendly PC?s for public use... At public libraries and school 
> libraries. Linux has a lot to offer these low budget facilities.
> 
> If we could educate and convert our smaller public facilities and 
> possibly offer some type of free monthly clinic open to the public for 
> free software education then we could make a better case for a higher 
> demand system.
> 
> I guess what i?m trying to say is that if Blue Grass, Iowa can be 
> converted to Linux/Free software for it?s office PC?s and they don?t 
> explode then why can?t a larger community make the switch?
> 
> Regards,
> Arron
> 
> 
> 
>     Two observations.
>     1)  I?m not so sure that what the City of Davenport runs is
>     determined in D.C. BTW, part of their system was/is UNIX.
>     2)  RHEL is, if I?m not mistaken, a "support by customer pay"
>     version of Red Hat. There are the expected contracts and "pick up
>     the phone and someone comes". The reason governments and almost all
>     businesses except "Mom & Pops" love this system is because (as you
>     said), they are not knowledgeable. And, far more importantly, they
>     are not culpable if and when it breaks; but will take the credit if
>     it works. So it?s much the safer thing for their careers.
> 
>     At any rate, we are really only able to deal with the greater QC
>     area. I hope that?s an easier nut to crack.
> 
>     Jim
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> From:
> Arron James Lorenz
> Reach Global Networks LLC
> MobileTek Inc
> 563-579-7046



Libraries and schools are still government. However, as far as public 
clinics are concerned, I might have an idea. Our previous Installfests 
and Demo Days were fairly large undertakings. Don't think we could do 
one at the moment. But, we could do a public clinic sort of thing at the 
Davenport Fairmont Library if we approach it properly. Libraries are 
very big on education related events. If there is any interest from the 
membership, we could make this work.

Jim

P.S. Arron, how did you know about Blue Grass?