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Re: [LUG] Plymouth possible citybus sale and linux

 

On Mon, Aug 03, 2009 at 09:22:56PM +0100, Adrian Midgley wrote:
> Henry Bremridge wrote:
> ...
> > - Depending on the financial model chosen, IF Plymouth switched over to
> >   OpenSource then they could expect savings of between £100,000 and
> >   £1.2m a year
> 
> Eventually.  I tend to think it would be quite quick, but one would wish
> to provide some robust figures on the speed of that.

The problem is that robust figures will not come until there is a
business case. In this Citybus issue, as an example, Plymouth apparently
spent £1m in reviewing their options.

If Plymouth WANT to cut costs AND improve service then switching to
Opensource in a methodical fashion is one way.

I then believe that if the switch is then done sensibly, then:
- There will be cost savings
- There will be unplanned improvements: eg people will find it easier to get work 
done

However on this list that is preaching to the converted, what is
required is taking advantage of the publicity and get Plymouth to
prepare a business case. 

For that someone needs to point out that 
a) Plymouth has computers running MS office
b) For the average user there is no difference between OpenOffice and MS
office
c) If there is no difference and one is free then why has Plymouth not
prepared a business case for switching from proprietary software to
opensource?

However I believe that this is an argument best stated by a resident of
Plymouth to one of the local papers

:)


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