LinuxQuestions.org - Converted from XP to Linux (SUSE 9.1)

I'm running a small business (photography) --we have a network of 6 Desktop computers, some laptops (which are dual boot --SUSE 9.1 and Windows XP) and a Windows file and print server which will be replaced soon. We share an internet connection via DSL modem and a router. Internet access from the desktops is by wired LAN, the laptops via wireless access point and Linksys WPC54G 54g wireless cards.

We converted to SUSE 9.1 without too many problems and saved a slew of money on licenses etc. Open Office works almost identically to Microsoft Office and can read MS documents without problems. Our users had no problems making the change.
Changing to MySQL from Microsoft Access certainly has been MUCH better as it was designed from the ground up as a mult-user data base system (and it's free--at least for my size of business).

As a small business I avoided posting in this section as the word Enterprise makes me think of HUGE IT departments at companies like IBM, Shell etc. but I'm sure the savings could be immense in larger organisations even if the change over was more prolonged and complicated. I'm just saying that if a small business can make this work a larger organisation with all the technical resources they usually have really could save a bucket load of cash -- maybe you'll get bigger bonuses if it works.

Of course you might be running some corporate APPS like SAP or whatever which could stop you from totally making the switch -- but a lot of IBM Mainframe apps (MVS/VM/ TSO / CICS/IMS etc) can be reached via 3270 terminal emulation which is freely available in most flavours of Linux.
These are BTW included in the SUSE PRO distro

Mainframe Gurus -- here's a screen shot of an IBM mainframe MVS console reached via 3270 emulation on a users desktop so it CAN be done even for complicated apps.
Here's TSO running on a Linux Box

http://www.1kyle.com/ibm.jpg

Some parts of your organisation which don't use SAP etc could certainly benefit from the switch especially if you have some small private LANs as well.

To avoid cross posting you can read about the VERY FEW problems I've had in converting the office to SUSE 9.1 Pro (now 90% Windows free apart from the server) -- and I've had no bad reactions at all.

For my reviews, minor problems etc search on my user id on these Forums.

There is one feature built in to SUSE 9.1 pro I should mention as it's scarecely mentioned anywhere but really useful.

If your office uses shared drives from a Windows box ordinary users( i.e those not having admin right) will want to browse the SHARED DRIVES as follows
a) without having to issue complicated SMBMOUNT commands,
b) without having to have FSTAB entries either created or defined
c) the possibility to browse all shares on the entire network if there is more than one file server
then the built in LAN BROWSER (Icon on the users desktop) is really great and lets users read / write their files etc on the shared drives.

To me this is a MUST have feature where your users are basic office users and not IT gurus. Even Windows needs users to MOUNT NETWORK DRIVE so this is better and easier.

This Icon is available on the desktop (KDE) in suse 9.1. -- Now SUSE has been bought by Novell it's no wonder they've added some decent networking tools -- as that company comes from a very good pedigree in the networking field.

Very stable and USEABLE distro for office apps. We are all delighted with it and so's the Bank Manager.

Nice one SUSE and Bye Bye Billy