• Lemmy
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    2 months ago

    Just wait until Windows 10 drops support, we’ll probably see a 2%-4% increase within a year. Who knows, maybe more. I was fine with Windows 10, but when I made the move to Windows 11, I said fuck no. It’s what made me switch to Linux as a daily operating system. I’d say with tools like ChatGPT, it will make it much easier for your average joe to switch over. Windows has reached peak enshittification. Do more, teach people, show people how much money they can save.

    I already convinced the company I started working at to replace their outdated BIOS firmware with Coreboot. And soon, we’re going to start using Proxmox VE on all of our machines. We have about 40-50 computers, and we’re going to install it on every single one of them (edge virtualization) and manage it them all from a server. Once that’s done, we’ll have even a bigger incentive to switch to Linux. I’ll also soon setup Nextcloud with OnlyOffice, as a replacement for Microsoft Office. I hope to see us transition over fully.

    They probably spend around $5000-$6000/more a year in licensing for software. Once we have all Free Software, I think it’ll truly be better for the long run. Sure, a couple issues with people getting used to it, but these are short term issues, down the line we can save so much money and have better security/privacy.

    • Allero@lemmy.today
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      2 months ago

      That’s very generous and optimistic considering the amount of people who promised to switch to Linux once Windows 10 came around, and later when Windows 7 support was dropped. Though I wish it were true.

      Great to know you switch to open software! One point to note though: you might need more expensive system administrators or some support service for your Linux setup. The issues will still arise, and you need for someone to solve them very quickly - something that is normally part of commercial offerings. Also, it would be super cool to set up some cash to support the devs.

      • 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.worksOP
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        2 months ago

        Yeah, the story is gonna be pretty much the same. 0.01% will switch, the rest will just rant and buy new hardware.

    • bluewing
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      2 months ago

      Linux is now at 4% of all installations so far in 2024 - the highest it’s ever been. And there is also an uptick in desktop installations as it seems people are moving away from Windows, (Thanks Win11!), and Apple.

      But it remains to be seen how many of these new users actually stick to a distro as an everyday driver. I’ve been living the “year of Linux” for 30 years now.

    • seanziepples@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      I obviously know nothing about your business but this sounds like a mistake from an outsider’s perspective. Enterprise software exists so companies can call somebody and get help when something goes wrong. Also more people are familiar with Windows and Microsoft Office so it’s much easier to onboard new employees and find IT Administrators who can support their environment and keep things running smoothly.

      I think the setup you’re describing will cost more in the long run because your company will have to find people with more specialized knowledge to help maintain everything.

      I love Linux and open source software but I also think they should only be used when they fit the need.

      • Lemmy
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        2 months ago

        We’re going to buy the enterprise support plans for Nextcloud and Proxmox. I understand that some specialized knowledge would be needed, but we’re making guides for it where anyone can do it (guides for flashing Coreboot, setting up Nextcloud, etc., this will be a guide for my boss for him to look back on). We will test this through slowly and try to see if this is something we can realistically do or not.

      • Lemmy
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        2 months ago

        I’m a low level IT Support Specialist (it’s my first IT job), I honestly just recommended all these and my boss wants to go through with it, plus it’s something I love to do. In the coming weeks we will start to implement Coreboot w/ LinuxBoot and Proxmox onto most of our machines. I’ve messed with Coreboot a lot, not a dev, just good enough to build/customize and install it for them. I honestly want to see the world change, I mean hell yeah money is great too, but at the end of the day, all I want is for other companies/people to see that this way of doing computing is much better. Sure, you may have to get through the hurdles of learning it, but if you have someone to guide you it makes it so much easier. Now imagine if everyone used it, everyone could lend a helping hand.

        • 0x4E4F@sh.itjust.worksOP
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          2 months ago

          OK, you’re young, I get it.

          No way am I doing that for free.

          I work in IT too BTW… just not as young as you.

          • Lemmy
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            2 months ago

            I mean I already get paid for the work I do, I make $55K/year currently. Should I be asking for more?