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Another German state plans switch back from Linux to Windows
The German state of Lower Saxony plans to follow Munich's example, and migrate a reported 13,000 users from Linux back to Windows.
Apparently undaunted by the cost of the Munich switch (which we reported in January could be as much as €100m), Lower Saxony is considering making the change in its tax office. The state seems to expect a much cheaper transition, with Heise (in German here) reporting the first-year budget is €5.9m, and another €7m further out.
The tax office argues its decision is driven by compatibility: field workers and teleworkers overwhelmingly use Windows, while the OpenSUSE variants are installed on its office workstations. The office workstations are also ageing and due for replacement, something that helped open the door for Windows.
Related: Linux Champion Munich Takes Decisive Step Towards Returning to Windows
Munich Switching From Linux to Windows 10
German Documentary on Relations Between Microsoft and Public Administration Now Available in English
(Score: 3, Informative) by theluggage on Saturday July 28 2018, @01:44PM (5 children)
i think, now, the MS desktop monopoly is more about Office and Exchange/Outlook than it is about Windows - a monopoly that extends to Macs if not Android/iOS. FOSS developers have done a sterling job of supporting MS file formats and protocols - its not their fault - but its still fingers-crossed if you try to load a complex MS Office file into Libre/Open office... and once you need MS Office anyway for "compatibility" purposes, the FOSS alternatives aren't so compellingly superior that you'd use them rather than Office unless you had ideological motives.
The biggest challenge to MS is the switch to "cloud" apps like Google Docs. The words "Frying pan" and "Fire" spring to mind.
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Saturday July 28 2018, @03:17PM (3 children)
For me it's about windows only CAD and CAM software. The free and open source stuff that works on Linux is a pale shade, not even close to professional level, especially for 5 axis. And the professional level software doesn't run in Wine.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 3, Insightful) by ElizabethGreene on Saturday July 28 2018, @03:29PM (2 children)
Is there anything FOSS that does 4 or 5 axis? When I looked last year I couldn't find anything > 3 axis. Even for the 3-axis stuff the difference between FOSS and Closed source is stone knives and bear claws vs. scalpels and lasers.
(Score: 2) by mhajicek on Saturday July 28 2018, @10:41PM (1 child)
That's my experience as well. I think there's one proprietary software that does it well AND can run on Linux, but it's around $30K to $50K per seat. Can't afford that.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 29 2018, @04:49AM
You may have Pro/Engineer in mind which has been rebranded as Creo Elements/Pro [wikipedia.org]. Haven't used it myself but heard lots of good things, one of which was "runs on Linux". Alas, this was in a former life as a draftsman and while the license costs for Pro/E have stayed firmly in the ludicrous realm, checking on the Wikipedia article reveals that Linux is no longer supported.
Guess automotive and aerospace - the target market for ridiculously expensive 3D CAD software - won't let go of Windows :(
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Saturday July 28 2018, @05:31PM
We had Outlook at work. Horrible email client, I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to use it (I like Thunderbird).
mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org