I'm a small business, small tech budget and want to stop supporting Micros

[DuaneBidoux]

Microsoft. I figure the way to go is Linux but I'm worried about all the software working and giving up something that (finally)works pretty well for me now. Can someone give me a clue about how to get started transitioning over, and to make sure that it doesn't screw up my whole system. I have my own SMPT server for my email marketing (not spam, targeted) plus my newsletter, and I have broadband (DSL). I also have wireless from which I do most of my work on my laptop wherever I happen to be (like now, sitting on the couch). Can Linux handle all this? I use Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint constantly, and photoshop quite a bit. I watch a ton of streaming video (usually using Real Player) and listen to music on the Internet too. My email software that works with my Access database is called Campaign Enterprise. There are a number of other applications that I use quite a bit. Are there enough applications out there now that work with Linux?

[qnr]

1. Anyone have any suggestions? I have some comments, but as

I don't use any Windows products at all, it might be better if someone with experience on both platforms provides some input.

[bemildred]

2. The devil is in the details.

You are not doing anything that you cannot do as well on Linux.
Some things you could probably do better on Linux.
But ...
Porting all the stuff you have now to work with "equivalent" Linux
apps would involve a non-trivial amount of work, both learning and
implementation. I would not recommend it unless you are highly
motivated and competent to deal with such issues.

If you are up for learning, you can get yourself a Linux machine with
one or more of the poplular desktops and use it to surf etc., and
learn as you go. If you are comfortable with heterogenous environments,
Linux boxes internetwork easily with Windoze machines, using Samba
and a few other packages. You can also get familiar with the Linux
Office productivity packages etc. and other available freeware and
shareware, and then, perhaps, go from there.

[Lithos]

3. Not sure exactly what you need with each item

But the best way to find out is to dip your toe into the water. There is a distribution called Knoppix which allows you test out the various Linux applications to see if they meet your needs without having to reformat a box.

As for availability, Linux is rich in applications, but I'm not sure without knowing your specific needs which ones to recommend. My first guess though is that you should check out OpenOffice (www.openoffice.org) to see if that application can meet your needs with MS Office.

L-

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. I'm doing just this job for an attorney's office. Small LAN, like yours.

Simpler, actually. They don't have an e-mail server (their mail is hosted by a provider outside). Much document writing (OpenOffice does just fine), basic file and print sharing (Samba for Windows workstation during the transition, then NFS and CUPS).

Let's take a look at your scenario now:

Word, Excel, Powerpoint, SMTP server, DSL connectivity: piece o' cake

Mass-mail software using Access: there are equivalents out there, would have to do some research but I estimate 99.9% probability of success. Do you use Access for anything other than data repository this software?

Photoshop: There's a really robust Linux image editing software called Gimp. There's a few features Photoshop has and Gimp doesn't, but it's highly unlikely they are the ones you use. Estimated probability of success: 90%.

Local wireless network: never fudged with it but it is reported to work flawlessly under Linux. Estimated probability of success: 80%.

Other applications that you use quite a bit: I'd really have to know which are those and what they do.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. Link about dealing with wireless adapters Linux supposedly doesn't handle:

http://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=04/11/17/1856218