[PLUG] Requium for HB 2802

[Rich Shepard]

On 26 May 2003, Steven A. Adams wrote:

> Beyond end-user training there is a real problem meeting business
> requirements for the current desktop applications that just don't exist
> in the Linux world yet (e.g. Visio, Project).

  I understand that dia (among other options) is a viable replacement for
Visio and MrProject is getting better all the time.

  More than a decade ago I was working for another consulting company. They
used to do things like org charts by hand. I started doing them on my
computer. And the office manager's response was, "Can you move this box to
the other side? Company policy is to have it on the left."

  "No", I responded.

  "Why not?"

  "Because that's how the programmers made the application. Does it really
matter on which side the administrative support box is placed?"

  "No, I guess not. Can you change this color here?"

  And so it went.

  Here's a thought: take a lesson from the clerks at Fourbucks Coffee who
started the concept of placing tip jars on the counter. Put a jar on your
desk with a sign, "If you don't like change, please remove it from your
pocket or purse and place it in this container." You might have a nice
salary supplement that way. :-)

> On the data center side of things, rewriting the current Windows
> applications and retraining existing support staff will be costly and
> time consuming as well.

  I wonder ... I read that often Microsoft makes changes in their latest and
greatest releases that are not backwards compatible. Aren't there equivalent
costs just sticking with the Redmond religion?
 
> As for Balmer, he's been spending too much time in the marketing
> department.

  Well, duh! That's what Microsoft is: a marketing company. Just like IBM in
their heyday: no technological innovator but the finest marketing company
ever invented.

> In no way do I see that eliminating state positions will help the cause
> for Linux or even be seen as a benefit of changing to Linux - those
> positions will be needed to support the additional OS.

  I didn't suggest cutting positions. I'd rather make converts than enemies.
 
> Hope this perspective helps,

  Yup. Thanks.

Rich

Dr. Richard B. Shepard, President

                       Applied Ecosystem Services, Inc. (TM)
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