Ask Slashdot: How To Start With Linux In the Workplace? 452
An anonymous reader writes "Recently my boss has asked me about the advantages of Linux as a desktop operating system and if it would be a good idea to install it instead of upgrading to Windows 7 or 8. About ten boxes here are still running Windows XP and would be too old to upgrade to any newer version of Windows. He knows that i am using Linux at work on quite outdated hardware (would have gotten a new PC but never requested new hardware — Linux Mint x64 runs quite well on it) and i always managed to get my stuff done with it. I explained to him that there are no licensing issues with Linux, there is no anti-virus software to deal with and that Linux is generally a bit more efficient on old hardware than operating systems from Microsoft. The boss seems interested." But that's not quite the end; read on for this reader's question.
"Since I am the only guy with Linux experience I would have to support the Linux installations. Now the problem is what works perfectly fine for me may be a horrible experience for some of my coworkers, and even if they would only be using Firefox, Thunderbird and LibreOffice I don't know if I could seriously recommend using Linux as a desktop OS in a business. Instead I want to set up one test machine for users to try it and ask THEM if they like it. The test machine should be as easy and painless to use as possible and not look too different compared to Windows. Which distro and what configuration should I choose for this demo box?"
Looking like Windows (Score:5, Funny)
Every new version of Windows doesn't look like the last, so why does it matter?
easy.,, (Score:5, Funny)
just tell him this is the year of desktop linux.
Re:No. (Score:5, Funny)
I swear, I'm waiting to hear about an apartment complex installing new door knobs resulting in thousands of befuddled residents getting trapped in their apartment for days. "It was horrible, I just stared at it for hours! I had no idea how to get the door to open!" said one sobbing resident!