[ILUG] [Slightly OT] Eolach closes

[John P. Looney]

On Fri, Nov 23, 2001 at 10:50:38AM +0000, Niall O Broin mentioned:
> I've only been involved in one installation where a customer decided to use
> Linux in a largely Microsoft environment. It was as a mail server, but it
> now appears that they're no longer using Linux in that role.

 To be fair, that's because the company using said linux mail server went
titsup.com, not that it was a bad solution for them.

> I'm also working with a Novell VAR who wants to use Linux as an internet
> gateway for his customers. He's very interested in Linux but if he
> didn't know me he wouldn't have really had anywhere to start - he
> doesn't have the time to climb the learning curve himself.
> 
> So, if only savvy companies adopt open source software, can there be a place
> for a company supporting it in Ireland ?

 I'm thinking no. The main benefit with free software is that you *can*
support it yourself. So, most companies that use it have savvy people
there that can fix stuff. And it's really not worth the money it would
require to have someone on hand if you need something fixed, and you can't
do it yourself.

 Support is only really needed if;
    Your vendor has you by the short and curlies
    You can't justify hiring clueful techies
    You do have clueful techies, but they don't have the time to look
        after day-to-day stuff

 I've worked in a number of companies that depended on free software. And
there is no way they would have considered support. I've also worked
(mainly contract stuff) for companies that don't have savvy techies, and
tried to use free software. They threw it out; it was used because it was
cheap. If they needed a support contract, or had difficulty with linux, it
was easier & cheaper to install the box with windows.

Kate

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