The
problem:
Computer software is
too expensive for micro-businesses and charities to be able to take full
advantage of modern IT.
Microsoft's virtual
monopoly on desktop computer software and their punitive license agreements
mean that organisations become locked into endless upgrade cycles without
reaping any real benefit.
The proposed
solution:
To source or
assemble a complete IT solution for microbusiness using low-cost hardware and
GPL/GNU software.
Required:
Fully functional
office productivity suite (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation package,
email client) with the ability to open and create MS Office-compatible files
(.doc, .xls etc)
Fully functional and
stable web browser
Friendly and
easy-to-use desktop environment. Command line is NOT an option
here.
Simple and friendly
"one-click" printing.
Automated or
easy-to-use backup system (such as zip drive or CD writer)
Initial
thoughts:
The obvious software
choice here is Linux. There are a number of more user-friendly
distributions, such as Mandrake, Suse and Lycoris (Redmond), all of which come
with comprehensive software packages. I will be evaluating them over the
coming weeks.
Office packages
currently available include KOffice (integrated suite bundled with the K Desktop
Environment), OpenOffice (GPL version of StarOffice) and Corel WordPerfect Suite
(not free but still quite cheap).
Web Browsers
available include Mozilla, Netscape 6, Galleon, Opera and
Konqueror.
The two big guns in
Linux/XWindows desktop environments are GNOME and KDE. Of the two, KDE is
probably the friendlier and less "techie," at the cost of some
performance. Both environments offer Cut & Paste, drag and drop, and
one-click printing.
Laser printers are
far easier to get working under Linux as they understand Postscript. Many
inkjets, particularly low-cost models, will not work at all.
Backing up Linux is
not as easy as Windows, but can be automated. Backing up personal files
can be done in exactly the same
way.