Research question: Linux for small business?

[Rachmat Ardiyanto]

Hello everyone

I am a university student and currently writing a research paper about Linux adoption for small business, so i am very interested in the community experience and feeling about this subject

Linux is an alternative for computer operating system. There are many technical factors cited in the literature regarding Linux adoption, but in order to understand deeply about factors that influence small business owner’s decision to choose or reject linux, we need to know directly from them.

I will post questions to start the discussion in this subject and then gather all replies as my data for analysis. Your answers, thoughts, opinions, or comments are highly appreciated.



If you are currently managing business, or had business experience in the past, or in the planning stage to start a new one, feel free to answer any of these following questions
• Have you ever tried Linux? If not, why not?
• In your personal opinon, what are the advantages of using Linux for your business or if you prefer not using linux, what are the disadvantages?
• If you do not like Linux, what change you want to see that might encourage small business to use it?
• If you had experience in deploying Linux for your business, please share it in this thread. What are the difficulties you encountered? How do you solve it?




Really hoping for a feedback from you all,

[buynick]

I tried it a long time ago. I don't use it because I need something that is compatible with all of my customers. Perhaps Linux is now compatible, but it wasn't when I first tried it over 6 years ago.

[rush1169]

I'll throw my 2 cents into the ring. I've tried Linux and probably even have at least one server currently running it, but the bottom line is that a computer is a tool. When I deploy a workstation, it needs to work and the person operating it needs to be able to operate it. In a vast majority of the cases, the person behind the monitor runs Windows at home and thusly brings that experience to work. The "techies" around the workplace can help when things go haywire.

So, while Linux may be "free", the Windows box will often cost less over the life of the computer.

[Rachmat Ardiyanto]

Hi guys, thanks for the respond. You gave many interesting answer here, if you dont mind..i'd like to explore a bit more to understand your perspective.

I tried it a long time ago. I don't use it because I need something that is compatible with all of my customers. Perhaps Linux is now compatible, but it wasn't when I first tried it over 6 years ago.

Buynick Can you tell me what do you mean by "compatible with all of my customers" here? is it software compatibility or maybe customer preference to use different os?

I'll throw my 2 cents into the ring. I've tried Linux and probably even have at least one server currently running it, but the bottom line is that a computer is a tool. When I deploy a workstation, it needs to work and the person operating it needs to be able to operate it. In a vast majority of the cases, the person behind the monitor runs Windows at home and thusly brings that experience to work. The "techies" around the workplace can help when things go haywire.

So, while Linux may be "free", the Windows box will often cost less over the life of the computer.

Initial cost of purchasing Windows box is still higher than Linux, Can you give more detail...why do you say that Windows will often cost less over the life of the computer?

[rush1169]

Initial cost of purchasing Windows box is still higher than Linux, Can you give more detail...why do you say that Windows will often cost less over the life of the computer?

Because "everyone" does Windows.