Re: Real answers to the question “Can you run your business on Linux and open source?
let me take this answer to its actual place: linux is much more suited to run in business and IT companies than home, due to its lack of games.
IT companies need functionality, not games. Linux has the following for businesses:
1. lack of viruses
2. distros available for multiple hardware configurations. Pentium II to Octo Core workstations, and even supercomputers.
3. excellent unix style user-admin privilage based administration - suited best for offices. This feature came in linux only because at the time of linux's developement, UNIX, its role model, was ment for work, not home use.
4. High security and firewall built into kernel. Unix style again shows its use.
5. Much easier to modify the OS, as source code and tips are freely available compared to windows. Custom distros are ideal for companies which seek special environments.
6. comming to small businesses employing those who hardly use computers, linux is easier to learn than windows. Such newly computer-literates are lucky because they can get a familiar free OS for their new PC. If they were using windows at office, they would be compelled to buy it for home too. Linux helps them save money.
7. Incase they can't customise the OS themselves due to lack of programming knowledge, special Distros easily available in the net for different perposes. Dyne:Bolic and Ubuntu Studio can easily find a place in bollywood. Knoppix DVD for the computer technitians. Fedora/Debian for the workstations. Vector Linux SOHO excellent for low cost PCs which find places in small office like environments like real estate, etc.
8. In IT companies which have direct from collage intake of employees, you can use linux for training new employees in program management, OS hacking, tweakingmetc because you don't need to get a licence from microsoft in case you are using windows.
9. The fact that linux is freely available itself ensures thattechnology solutions your company makes can run on ALMOST ALL SYSTEMS. So you can reach a wider audience.
10. Its much easier making custom programs for linux, because of freely available OS source code and lots of sample codes from already existing OSS. In windows you need to follow the MS way to make programs.
11. Paid technical support available for those who want it.
12. You have latest software even for old hardware. So no hardware upgrade blues while going for a newer OS.
