Real answers to the question “Can you run your business on Linux and open source?”

[Cyrus_the_virus]

"A friend said to me recently that 'Firefox is for the home, Internet Explorer is for the office.' His comments reflect commonly found stigma and fears that free and open source software--and Linux too--are not suitable for a business environment. Let me set the record straight, giving real feedback from companies who have made the switch and don't look back.

"Before we consider business vs personal use, why do people use Microsoft Windows anyway...?"

Source with Full Article : ITWire

[Gigacore]

My answer to title: Yes

So many servers run on linux

[Hitboxx]

I say the question is a bit too late.

Many businesses and corporations are already running on Linux for many a long ago. ^_^ [..albeit not in India...]

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Originally Posted by Hitboxx

Many businesses and corporations are already running on Linux for many a long ago.

The Article does mention that and they take feedback from those who have already moved. I guess you didn't read the whole article

[Cool G5]

Yes.I agree most of the servers now-a-days are run on Linux.

[MetalheadGautham]

let me take this answer to its actual place: linux is much more suited to run in business and IT companies than home, due to its lack of games.

IT companies need functionality, not games. Linux has the following for businesses:

1. lack of viruses

2. distros available for multiple hardware configurations. Pentium II to Octo Core workstations, and even supercomputers.

3. excellent unix style user-admin privilage based administration - suited best for offices. This feature came in linux only because at the time of linux's developement, UNIX, its role model, was ment for work, not home use.

4. High security and firewall built into kernel. Unix style again shows its use.

5. Much easier to modify the OS, as source code and tips are freely available compared to windows. Custom distros are ideal for companies which seek special environments.

6. comming to small businesses employing those who hardly use computers, linux is easier to learn than windows. Such newly computer-literates are lucky because they can get a familiar free OS for their new PC. If they were using windows at office, they would be compelled to buy it for home too. Linux helps them save money.

7. Incase they can't customise the OS themselves due to lack of programming knowledge, special Distros easily available in the net for different perposes. Dyne:Bolic and Ubuntu Studio can easily find a place in bollywood. Knoppix DVD for the computer technitians. Fedora/Debian for the workstations. Vector Linux SOHO excellent for low cost PCs which find places in small office like environments like real estate, etc.

8. In IT companies which have direct from collage intake of employees, you can use linux for training new employees in program management, OS hacking, tweakingmetc because you don't need to get a licence from microsoft in case you are using windows.

9. The fact that linux is freely available itself ensures thattechnology solutions your company makes can run on ALMOST ALL SYSTEMS. So you can reach a wider audience.

10. Its much easier making custom programs for linux, because of freely available OS source code and lots of sample codes from already existing OSS. In windows you need to follow the MS way to make programs.

11. Paid technical support available for those who want it.

12. You have latest software even for old hardware. So no hardware upgrade blues while going for a newer OS.

[praka123]

did u forgot Linux supports 64-bit better than any other os that too when no other OS supports it?

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by praka123

did u forgot Linux supports 64-bit better than any other os that too when no other OS supports it?

dude, I will end up running an electricity bill of RS 1000 for the comp alone before I finish typing all of linux's features, that too without copy pasting or copy typing.
you type if you want, but idhar haath dard ho raha hai be sale. Do you plan to kill my precius hands?

[Cyrus_the_virus]

It's not just old hardware that linux is compatible with which is a major misconception. Linux runs perfectly on the 8core cell processor and it's already running on IBM blade servers which utilize the power of cell processors around the world. Neither Windows nor OSX can run on these type of advanced hardware!

Linux is completely scalable from mutlicore systems to even mobile phones and smaller devices. I hope you all know that the Nokia N800 also uses Linux.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Cyrus_the_virus

It's not just old hardware that linux is compatible with which is a major misconception. Linux runs perfectly on the 8core cell processor and it's already running on IBM blade servers which utilize the power of cell processors around the world. Neither Windows nor OSX can run on these type of advanced hardware!

Linux is completely scalable from mutlicore systems to even mobile phones and smaller devices. I hope you all know that the Nokia N800 also uses Linux.

ecept for the last N800 bit, I already told what you told.

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

ecept for the last N800 bit, I already told what you told.

Where yaar, I don't see it in your post

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Cyrus_the_virus

Where yaar, I don't see it in your post

point #2

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

point #2

ohhh.. k.. I thought you said the othe way round(that you said N800).. anyways.. sorry for the repetation but I guess I was elaborating on it.

[MetalheadGautham]

I still think this OSS bit has gone a bit too far concidering only USA as the country for focus.

Linux MiNT, Freespire, etc are not illegal in India because software patent laws like the one they are violating don't apply in India.

Bharat Mata Ki Jai

[praka123]

....Hindustan Ki Kasam!software patents Murdabad!

[naveen_reloaded]

No.many in india are not quiet comfortable or to say used to linux

[preshit.net]

^^That's because

1. They are too used to Windows and the way things are done that they expect Linux to behave just like that
2. They have never used it or aren't even aware of it.

[Hitboxx]

^^That's because

1. They are lazy
2. They are narrow-minded

[The_Devil_Himself]

^^If my friends,who don't even know whats the difference between an operating system and a simple application, can use linux for more than a month Then I guess anybody can use it without feeling alien or anything.Personal views though.Kids will always cry for their mommas...you really can't help it.

Originally Posted by praka123

....Hindustan Ki Kasam!software patents Murdabad!

not only software patent but every kind of patent stinks man.Patents are USA's way of showing the world that they are the big boss.We knew from thousands of years of years that neem and turmeric is good for this and that but no american companies had them patented and now nobody in India can use them commercially iirc.Patents stink IMO.

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Originally Posted by The_Devil_Himself

not only software patent but every kind of patent stinks man.Patents are USA's way of showing the world that they are the big boss.We knew from thousands of years of years that neem and turmeric is good for this and that but no american companies had them patented and now nobody in India can use them commercially iirc.Patents stink IMO.

Patents are there to protect the original inventor but nowadays, patents are there to kill your rivals in business.. I mean like some company is suing novell for making mulitple workspaces on a linux desktop? I mean WTF? only one single OS in the world can do that? Can't anyone else create an OS with multiple workspaces!!

BTW, there's already another thread running about patent issues: The patent wars have begun

[The_Devil_Himself]

^^this is not how actually things work actually,suppose I make a breakthrough discovery/invention and get it patented ASAP so that it is only me and me who can use/develop this invention for say 15-20 years--this is what you call protection of rights of original invention but if the invention is open to others too then you're sure to develop it at a very fast rate isn't it?SO patents are a loss to us humans as a whole.Just personal opinion though.

Again Patents can be a boon if they are managed correctly but what is happening today is that US is the main country that issues patents(I heard china is a rebellious child) and they are misusing it like hell?Issued a patent for "all the transgenic varieties of brassica family" to a company its like one out of 102 or such of plant families and brassica is commercially one of the most important.They stink man.

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Lets keep the patent comments confined to this thread please : The patent wars have begun

[gxsaurav]

Can u run your business on Linux. Yup...depends on the business & what kind of apps u run.

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

Dyne:Bolic and Ubuntu Studio can easily find a place in bollywood.

No, U obviously don't have idea what kind of apps bollywood uses & Ubuntu studio stands no where close the big guns of this industry.

Fedora/Debian for the workstations.

What kind of workstation?

In windows you need to follow the MS way to make programs.

Lolz...if tht was the case, we wouldn't be seeing app compatibility & BSD's on WIndows at all

Hey..all the reason u mentioned are already available with Windows. So if everything is working fine already, then why upgrade? Why upgrade tht Billing machine running in Mcdonald, running Windows 98 if all u need to do is to make bills.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Can u run your business on Linux. Yup...depends on the business & what kind of apps u run.

for an average business, you have all the software you will ever need with linux. Even propiatary companies like nero are releasing softwares for linux seeing its highe potential

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

No, U obviously don't have idea what kind of apps bollywood uses & Ubuntu studio stands no where close the big guns of this industry.

I know. Pro tools. What I ment to say was that linux uses less ram and has more kernel level support for audio, video editing. This is much better than windows. So if the same softy is available for both win and lin, ppl will use lin.(actually, comming to bollywood, they have special machines, not PCs for their work. So does hollywood. And guess what? many even use MACs and some of those big machines run on linux.)

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

What kind of workstation?

Well, WorkStation computers. Linux is more suited to run in them than windows. Stability, reliability, power, functionality is what linux offers these workstations.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Hey..all the reason u mentioned are already available with Windows.

says who? do you get windows source code or detailed kernel structure doccuments or the OS for free? Do you get free right to modify windows in sourcecode and use it to create a customised windows and install it on all your computers and your friend's house?

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Why upgrade tht Billing machine running in Mcdonald, running Windows 98 if all u need to do is to make bills.

nobody is asking about already existing and in-use useful machines. I am talking about newer machines, change in use, second hand old systems, etc. and about cost cutting.

[iMav]

trust me metal head ... corporates wont turn to linux at this time its just not made and altered for them ... its what u urself say a geeky os

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

for an average business, you have all the software you will ever need with linux. Even propiatary companies like nero are releasing softwares for linux seeing its highe potential

What business is using nero full time? Pirates of Palika baazar kya

What I ment to say was that linux uses less ram

Questionable.

and has more kernel level support for audio, video editing.This is much better than windows.

Hearing this for the first time. Can u prove it?

if the same softy is available for both win and lin, ppl will use lin.(

Why, what if Windows already has stable technologies backend for the pro apps like 3ds Max & AutoCAD or After effect. Why would adobe or autodesk make there apps for Linux which has proven non-standerds.

actually, comming to bollywood, they have special machines, not PCs for their work. So does hollywood. And guess what? many even use MACs and some of those big machines run on linux.)

Thye use PC, Mac & Linux render nodes depending on what app they use.

Well, WorkStation computers. Linux is more suited to run in them than windows. Stability, reliability, power, functionality is what linux offers these workstations.

Do u know what a workstation is? I asked workstaion of wht? 3D animation, audio production, geometry data analysis, crash simulation...what? What kind of workstation Linux is good at compared to WIndows?

detailed kernel structure doccuments

Yup, check MSDN.

or the OS for free?

Why? So many developers are doing there job for a payment they deserve. Is it wrong to charge a fees for your labour. You r happy & jumping LINUX LINUX here just cos it is free. Mac OS X is also based on Unix, u r not praising it like u praise Linux. If Linux wasen't free today, no one would have taken notice, it being free is the reason for it's slow acceptence & lack of features.

Do you get free right to modify windows in sourcecode and use it to create a customised windows and install it on all your computers and your friend's house?

You buy a license to use WIndows not to edit it. U wanna make a custom Windows Distro, go ahead.....there are many such distro's available illegally on the net on which u can even enter a legal key.

[Cyrus_the_virus]

Originally Posted by iMav

trust me metal head ... corporates wont turn to linux at this time its just not made and altered for them ... its what u urself say a geeky os

Why are you asking us to trust you when no one asked the answer to the question. Incase you didn't notice, the answer has already been covered by the article which is completely against what your are daydreaming about and please read the article before giving your trustworthy statements.

Originally Posted by gx_saurav

Can u run your business on Linux. Yup...depends on the business & what kind of apps u run.

Again, no one asked anyone to answer the question to the thread title, it's an article and the answer is in that.

[MetalheadGautham]

@iMav
strangely, the fact that they CAN be altered is why corporates use them. Now don't tell me that vista comes altered for google's or wipro's use. Linux is altered to a large extent already, and if you want more, just DIY or Hire someone to DIFY. With a large company, you still save a lot of bucks.


@gx_saurav

1. we use their products a lot, FYI

2. ok, edit: it can use lesser ram if you use the right distro.

3. what I ment was that linux has, can have in built drivers for different perposes. ever heard of ALSA? X? ok, these are not kernel level, but certainly system leavel.

4. Non standards? you are joking right? linux is starting to become the in thing now. several companies are embracing linux. its not too far off before adobe & co start embracing it too. They added flash player and adobe reader for linux for a reason. The same reason why nero made nero digital audio available for linux. things are just starting now.

5. most of them. The OS part, its really good. The rest, its as good as the software. I can't name softwares, due to lack of intrest in them.(the way you talk, asthough dreamweaver, maya, etc are a part and parcel of windows)

6. thats one point I wont counter. concider yourself and my fingers lucky

7. that part is also already argued by many. It all comes down to this: software is free => software is more accessible => more will use it legally.
and yes, I never said mac was bad. Mac OS is really good, but it still has some bugs due to the slightly unwise alterations Apple made to FreeBSD that makes up darwin, MAC OS' core. This is why it can still get some type of viruses. And yes, as an Indian, the country whose mentality is to us pirated software if they are not free, I chose Linux because of programming intrest and functionality, not due to its freeness. Its just the icing on the cake.

8. thats the point, isn't it? M$ is all about $. You need to give $ to M$ to do something with windows that only makes windows better. As in the previous point, you only ended up showing the people how valid my points are.


PS: I appritiate the way you cling on to windows in your appriciation, saurav. You must be an excellent debater, to try to make points out of nothing at all, and presenting them decently.

[Cyrus_the_virus]

^^ Please avoid the arguments about what linux is and etc. Let's not start another OS war with those 2 here. This is an article and the questions about the same has been answered by network engineers who have already implemented the same. So, lets avoid arguments here.. this is news section. keeping that in mind.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by Cyrus_the_virus

^^ Please avoid the arguments about what linux is and etc. Let's not start another OS war with those 2 here. This is an article and the questions about the same has been answered by network engineers who have already implemented the same. So, lets avoid arguments here.. this is news section. keeping that in mind.

OK saurav, meet you in the battlefeild.