[OS:N:] Switching from Microsoft to Linux

[Robert Citek]

Hello all,

I got this message yesterday from a network manager at a company with  
offices on both coasts.  If anyone is interested in talking with this  
person, please e-mail me and I'll forward your name on the network  
manager.

Begin forwarded message:
> Switching from Microsoft to Linux
>
> The owner of our small manufacturing business, {name elided}, is  
> very-very interested in switching from Microsoft to an open source  
> Linux.
>
> He/she would like to speak with anyone who has successfully  
> switched from MS to Linux, especially if they are also a  
> manufacturer. He/she is interested in the negative side as well as  
> the positive side. I have found many success stories online, but he/ 
> she wants to "talk" to an actual person.
>
> We have a few servers (File, E-mail, SQL, Application, etc.) and  
> 100 PCs. We are primarily Windows XP with Office 2003. We do have a  
> 3D solid modeling system which would have to stay Windows or move  
> to Unix until the Linux version is released in Q4 2006. 85% of our  
> servers and clients are basic "Microsoft Office" PCs. The machine  
> tools which are Windows-based will remain so since the proprietary  
> software they run cannot be converted to Linux.
>
> Our owner, {name elided}, is looking for reassurance that we should  
> continue with research on how to implement the switch, and in the  
> process answer the question "should we implement the switch?".  
> Specifically he/she wants to hear about the drawbacks, advantages  
> and challenges of moving away from Microsoft.
>
> Could you recommend anyone who might be willing to spend a few  
> minutes on the phone via a conference call sharing their experience?
>
> Thank you for your consideration!
>
>

Regards,
- Robert
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