[Linux-Discussion] Re: chance for linux in local govt- county gov asks question
- From: "David Bruce Jr" <dbartbruce@xxxxxxxx>
- To: <linux-discussion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002 17:12:54 -0500
Can I forward your response to the UMBC lug list?
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Madden" <weez@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <linux-discussion@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 4:53 PM
Subject: [Linux-Discussion] Re: chance for linux in local govt- county gov
asks question
>
> > My cousin's husband heads information systems for a county
> > govenment outside Philly. Although a long-time Windows
> > proponent he was ranting when I saw him over Christmas at the
> > unconscionably arrogant and avaricious treatment he'd
> > received recently at the hands of Microsoft: usurious pricing,
> > retroactive charges, over-licensing requirements, threats of
> > having to re-license already purchased products for failing to
> > meet unreasonbale decision deadlines, arbitrary
> > discontinuation of products ... and is anybody surprised?
>
> No, I don't think anyone here is surprised. :) This is the same story
> that a lot of companies are telling, and I suppose it's about damn time,
> eh?
>
> > Anyway, he wants to migrate to Linux eventually. But it is
> > daunting to move 2000+ PCs and users and customized Access
> > databases and scripts from Windows to Linux. What companies
> > are in the business of doing this? Has anybody attempted this
> > or does anyone know of any success stories?
>
> Just about any consulting company ought to be able to provide such
> services (moving crapccess databases to postgresql or mysql).
>
> They should, instead, hire a programmer to work permanently on
> implementing replacement solutions. I don't think this is something that
> should be done as a "migration" with a set time schedule, where a company
> comes in, does the work, and leaves. I see it as a continuous process,
> and for that you need in-house savvy.
>
> Split the job up into phases based on user groups. An HR department, for
> example, is a fairly distinct piece of the whole with their own distinct
> application and desktop needs. Find out what applications they need and
> re-write them. Roll the new applications into production one at a time
> (next paragraph is key for this to be applicable). When all applications
> have been moved and users have been trained on their new desktop
> interfaces, move them to their new workstations. Then move onto the next
> group.
>
> My recommendation is to make all of these applications web-based. The
> benefits of web-based as opposed to client, gui-based applications are
> staggering, but here's one that should mean something to them: if they
> ever have to switch OS's again, they won't have to rewrite any
> applications. :)
>
> As for the desktop migration: Any experienced (and perhaps creative)
> sysadmin could handle the 2000-user desktop migration, provided they make
> the switch to diskless workstations. (A couple of central servers, 2000
> diskless x window boxes - Largo, FL just made a switch to this sort of
> setup, and it's been a huge success story.). The typical desktop PC
> setup, on the other hand, would require a lot of manpower to do things
> like OS installations, user support, etc. Again, these people should be
> in-house, not a consulting agency.
>
> You may or may not be able to re-train your existing staff, and you
> probably don't want to try. You certainly won't need your windows
> administrators anymore, so you can let them go after this migration is
> complete. The long-term cost savings benefits of a Linux solution will
> easily pay off the difference of having to employ both unix and windows
> people in the interim.
>
> This sounds like an exciting project. Make sure they hire the right
> people though, no matter how much they cost.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> --
> # John Madden weez@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ICQ: 2EB9EA
> # FreeLists, Free mailing lists for all: //www.freelists.org
> # UNIX Systems Engineer, Ivy Tech State College: http://www.ivy.tec.in.us
> # Linux, Apache, Perl and C: All the best things in life are free!
>
>
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