Organizations around the globe are now busy planning their replacements for the aging and soon-to-be-retired Windows XP. And an overwhelming majority seems to be interested in upgrading to Windows 7.
But there are some that are considering a free Linux alternative — Ubuntu to be exact.
Perhaps the most mainstream and popular of all Linux distributions, Ubuntu is fast sliding into the picture for these setups. South Korean authorities, for example, are said to be currently having discussions on whether they should splash the cash to upgrade, or switch to the free Linux alternative.
As this report details, a switch is not exactly an easy a proposition as it seems:
“According to an industry source on December 15, there is a heated discussion about replacing Windows XP with an alternative OS in IT communities at home and abroad, since the market for PC operating systems (OS) has been divided into largely MS windows and Mac OS, without any other significant operating systems.
But the issue of a third option has now become a reality, as Windows XP is going to be retired.”
Heated discussions because, replacing Windows XP companywide is not just a difficult task (unless it involves newer, supported hardware), people also need to readjust to the new way of doing things on their computers — both operating systems are different in many respects, after all.
As a result administrators have to invest in additional training, which in turns, costs money. Money, which could obviously be invested in buying Windows licenses in the first place.
All Comments
This makes no sense. Microsoft is already giving big discounts to clients over in Asian markets, plus even free, a big switch to completely using Linux is not as easy as it seems.
Switch the government to Linux involves a lot of studies, help desk training, user training and service agreement. It won’t able to complete within several years. Not likely a feasible solution. It’s pretty hard to believe South Korean government will delay the upgrade until so late.
Hahh, good luck with that!