RE: Distro question

On Mon, 2004-04-12 at 14:59, Stephen King wrote:
Stephen,
> In truth, as both a network design consultant and a professional
> educator, I figure that once I'm done with a client, if they never
> *need* to call me again, it's a Job Well Done. My goal isn't to rope
> them into an ongoing support relationship; it's to set them up so they
> can manage it themselves from then on out.

I can understand your position; although, I come from a different
perspective. I think if your going to offer Linux as a viable solution
you need to be offering a support service. I can't see setting a small
business (say 10 pc's or less) up on a Linux infrastructure and then not
get "called back". I'm not sure if your doing yourself a favor
recommending Linux with your philosophy. Especially for someone who is
considering "switching over". Most users have a hard enough time
getting Windows to work the way they want. I know Windows support calls
are better than 90% of my business.

> Y'all are gonna hate me for
> saying this, but if it takes a proprietary product to meet that goal,
> then that's what I recommend.

No Hate....

> If the customer wants me to run their
> network for them and take on management on a regular basis, I'll discuss
> that, but if the customer, as these do, want autonomy over a small
> network then that's what I try to give them.
>
> Now, I already knew that folks on the list had their "favorite" flavor.
> So...it appears that nobody out there has actual experience with
> Xandros...true?
> Stephen King
> Instructor, Information Technology
> Charter College
> 2221 E. Northern Lights Suite 120
> Anchorage, AK 99508
> (907) 777-1370
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tim Jordan [mailto:timothy_jordan@labor.state.ak.us]
> Sent: Monday, April 12, 2004 7:19 AM
> To: Stephen King
> Cc: aklug@aklug.org
> Subject: Re: Distro question
>
>
> Stephen, my two cents:
>
> I personally would keep them away from a commercial linux
> product. If they are your clients you will want to keep them that way.
> Providing free software solutions from distros like Mandrake, Fedora,
> and others you are able to offer "Free" software and sell your support.
> You don't want your clients calling Xandros! Keep the money in Alaska.
>
> I'm not saying there is no place for commercial products in
> business or home computing.
>
> I have setup users with very basic computer skills on Mandrake.
> If they can email, write letters, do the family budget, share
> docuements, surf the web, print and so forth they are happy. Not to
> mention the interface is just a pleasing to the eye as XP.
>
> TJ
> On Sat, 2004-04-10 at 12:32, Stephen King wrote:
>
> Got a client who is considering switching to Linux.
> They read a review
> that said Xandros is an awesome distribution and they're
> considering
> buying it (as near as I can tell, there's no GPL
> version). Anybody here
> have any experience with that distro? As far as I can
> tell, the only
> real advantages to it over the new editions of either RH
> or SuSE are
> point and click Windows domain interfacing (which they
> don't need) and
> the fact that StarOffice is included (which is debatable
> for them).
>
> Stephen King
> Instructor, Information Technology
> Charter College
> 2221 E. Northern Lights Suite 120
> Anchorage, AK 99508
> (907) 777-1370
> =20
>
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Received on Mon Apr 12 16:10:01 2004