[TriLUG] pitching Ubuntu vs Vista

Sun May 11 17:02:04 EDT 2008

A few thoughts.  Jim may be right on the value proposition for  
businesses, but university's get such deep software discounts the  
application cost might be so cheap that it's not a factor.  I'd stay  
with Dell on the support from a viewpoint of it would be an easier  
sell to your boss than going to Canonical for support.  I'd also make  
the argument to him, that you personally would be more productive.   
Let your passion for FOSS sell it.  Convince him that as long as you  
get your job done, it shouldn't matter.  Find every piece of software  
that is Windows only that's going to be critical to your boss and make  
sure you have a replacement for it, that won't frustrate your boss if  
you have issues.   From a pure performance aspect I suspect you will  
have a tough time convincing him slower hardware will be offset with  
Linux as the OS.   It may offset it some, but it will be tough to  
convince him.  Again, sell your passion.   I've told my old boss who  
wanted me to use Windows to do Linux administration, it's like giving  
a butcher a pocket knife,  sure he can do the job, but it's not the  
right tool for the job.

Good luck

Matt P.

On May 11, 2008, at 9:51 AM, Jim Ray wrote:

> The value proposition for Ubuntu vs. Windows is best illustrated by
> extrapolating the cost of the desktop operating systems, desktop
> applications and client access licenses for servers. Initial setup for
> the open source solution tends to cost more because of the qualified
> labor required for setup and training.
>
> However, as the number of desktops increases, the licensing cost
> outweighs the cost of initial labor and makes overwhelming business
> sense to many people.
>
> Unfortunately, some folks just don't get it and will continue to use
> Windows.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jim
>
> Jim Ray, President
> Neuse River Networks
> tel: 919-838-1672 cell: 919-606-1772
> http://www.NeuseRiverNetworks.com
>
> Connecting You to the World since 1997
>
> We specialize in managed services, IT outsourcing and installation of
> network communications systems for voice, video and data.
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: trilug-bounces at trilug.org [mailto:trilug-bounces at trilug.org] On
> Behalf Of Tom Roche
> Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 9:39 AM
> To: trilug at trilug.org
> Subject: [TriLUG] pitching Ubuntu vs Vista
>
>
> I'd appreciate {fresh eyes, fact checking} regarding a pitch I'm
> planning to make to buy a Dell Inspiron 530N with Ubuntu vs Lenovo
> ThinkCentre M57 6395 with Vista.
>
> I'm starting a new gig as a grad student @ UNC. My boss is currently
> planning to buy
>
> http://cci.unc.edu/index/ccishop/departmental.html
>> Model: Desktop [ThinkCentre] m57eco 6395UN2  > Processor: Intel [Core
> 2 Duo]  2.66Ghz  > Hard Drive: 160GB  > Optical: CDRW/DVD Combo  >
> Memory: 2GB (4 GB max) 1 available [slot] ...
>> Software: UNC Custom Software Load
>> OS: MS Vista
>> [3 Year Warranty]
> ...
>> Bundle Price w/17" Monitor: W101947 $874.00  > Bundle Price w/19"
> Wide Monitor: W101948 894.00  > Price without Monitor: $709.00
>
> but has said that he'd consider other desktops (i.e. non-laptops) with
> comparable price/performance. The local Dell rep, Ken Klawonn, pointed
> me toward their Inspiron 530N with Ubuntu for base config=$509
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3wtygv
>
> (We may be eligible for additional edu discounts from Dell, but I'll  
> use
> these $ for now.) The base config includes (excerpted)
>
> - CPU=Pentium dual E2180 (1MB, 2.00GHz, 800FSB)
> - RAM=1GB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz (2GB=+$50, 4GB=+$150)
> + monitor=19", flat panel (no monitor=-$190) HD=250 GB 7200 RPM (320
> + GB=+$50) optical=16x DVD+/-RW GPU=nVidia GeForce 8300GS 128MB  
> (8600GT
> + 256MB DDR3=+$90)
> - warranty=1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor, 24x7 Phone (3 yr=+$170)
>
> and the alternate configs that seem most applicable are
>
> {RAM=1 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=19", video=128 GB}=$679
> {RAM=2 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=19", video=128 GB}=$729
> {RAM=2 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=no, video=128 GB} =$539
> {RAM=4 GB, warranty=3 yr, monitor=no, video=256 GB} =$729
>
> given that I don't know as much as I'd like about the usecases for  
> this
> box. I suspect it'll be used mostly for lightweight data  
> visualization,
> and shelling into RENCI for the heavy lifting.
>
> ISTM the main arguments for the ThinkCentre are
>
> - the high ratio of local windows/linux support. Not much I can do
>   about that, except to say we probably won't need ITS support. Is
>   Dell support (i.e. beyond the warranty) worth buying?
>
> - the Core 2 Duo E8200 beats the Pentium dual E2180. Faster, more
>   cache. Can't touch that, no?
>
> ~ the "UNC Custom Software Load" gives you MS Office, Photoshop
>   (Elements), SAV, and a buncha *nix emulations. If not preloaded, I
>   can put OOo, GIMP, and Clam on myself, and no need for the
>   emulations.
>
> The main arguments for the Inspiron are
>
> + linux is more efficient. We can run what we wanna run, and no more.
>
> + linux can use 4 GB RAM, whereas Vista can only see 3 GB.
>
> + the Inspiron has 50% more disk (double if we pay $50 for the 320 GB
>   HD) with same spin (7200 rpm).
>
> + the Inspiron has better graphics, esp the config with the nVidia
>   GeForce 8600GT.
>
> Does this sound right? or am I pegging your BS meter?
>
> TIA, Tom Roche <Tom_Roche at pobox.com>
>
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