Ronaldo (1)Ubuntu: Can Your Business Trust A Free System
Got to be honest, the first time I heard about Ubuntu was sometime April of this year over at Archon-Digital‘s blog when he made an article of his switch to Ubuntu. Even after reading his post, I still didn’t get the idea of what exactly Ubuntu is all about.
It was only two months later in June when I had a chat with an Indian Consultant of a popular Business Planning Software in one of my Semiconductor Clients that made me do some little online research – and then went back reading Archon’s article all over again and those were enough to make me an Ubuntu User wannabe. Still, I didn’t bothered to try it out since I don’t have a system that I can play with at that time. The desktop at home is always busy with the “other” users, and I cannot afford half a day downtime with my laptop.
Finally, last week, I had a date with Ubuntu, and with those very rare events of my life – I got tied up and committed to it. Since I was launching my new business – it was necessary to buy some office equipments. I managed to buy 3 laptops – an Acer and 2 Lenovos (I’m adding two more Lenovos this week). Also, my friend Zymo helped me build my PC Server – an 8GB workhorse with two 700GB hard drives (for RAID setup) with a Quad Core processor. I was happy with the Server Cost as I only paid Php48,500 (a little over USD1,000.00) complete with a 19″ Acer LCD Monitor, and a UPS plus other freebies.
Then came the hard part – the Acer laptop came with a bundled Windows Home Vista and a trial Microsoft Office, but the Lenovos were all trial softwares. The Windows XP license costs around Php7,000+ and another Php5K-7k for Microsoft office each. What the @#$@! But I couldn’t allow installing unlicensed Software anyway so I was about to decide buying the licenses when I remembered Ubuntu. Alright got to try Ubuntu then was my decision. The Server will run on Linux so it wasn’t a problem.
And that decision came with a Vision – my new IT Company will be an advocate of Open Source Systems. Ubuntu is an Open Source System – a Linux System for Human Beings. I instructed my two colleagues to install Ubuntu and make sure it works. After a few trials and Ubuntu installation upgrades, the Lenovos all look good with Ubuntu on it. The graphics, the sound, the wifi – everything worked perfectly well.
So in non-technical terms, what is Ubuntu? Think of Windows XP or Windows Vista – it is supposed to work just like that – the difference is it’s FREE to use. Whether my decision to use Ubuntu is sound business decision – that will be assessed in the coming days.
Check out my next post on the details about Ubuntu, including Installation, Features, Look and Feel.
Ubuntu (server) also works well in serving my website(s) on my VPS. I still long for the day when all my work apps are fully compatible with Ubuntu.
Congratulations on your switch and in your new business.
Thanks for the link reference.
archondigitals last blog post..Entrecard Top Ten – July 2008
As long as its linux for servers its good. Linux is very robust and secured. Im using centos btw.
What’s your consulting business about?
I’ve also heard that ubuntu is more secured than windows and osx
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I have been considering using Ubuntu for my Acer Aspire 4310 for the longest time just a bit worried about the drivers. Are you going to convert your own ACER to Ubuntu? tell me how it goes
oh and by the way i have a meme for you on empty streets 
see yah there.
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congratulations on your successful switch.
drop by sometimes at ph.ubuntuforums.org – Ubuntu philippine team forum.
Thanks guys – Its a great feeling there are already lots of Pinoys switching to Ubuntu and newbies like me could probably use some help if needed. I actually have a domain http://www.ubuntuphilippines.com perhaps I could make it active for PH ubuntu newbies (and hardcore users too
err, what are you guys talkin’ about? LOL. is ubuntu an OS or masyadong malayo ba sa pagkakaintindi ko. :p
anyhoo, where do you buy your laptops? told ya already that i want a new one but compaq or hp sana. does vista premium a pretty much advantage than the basic one kasi mahal naman pa-upgrade.
and the c# training, by the way, isn’t for me. duh. :p
Miss Elles last blog post..How Can I Dump Him When He Stood Me Up?
I plan of getting a laptop for my wife this year and Ubuntu sounds like the most effective option for me.
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[...] my previous post, I discussed the reasons why I turned to Ubuntu – and one of the key decision points was COST – it doesn’t cost anything. One commenter, Ms. [...]
but will most softwares run on it? that’s the hardest part because admittedly windows still dominate so most softwares just cater to windows users.
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@Cath, personally, I may not use Ubuntu at home yet, esp if you use your home pc for entertainment and gaming. BUt for small businesses, you only use the PC for reports, spreadsheets, documents, email – and no gaming. Hehe. Lots of companies also prohibits videos and music (but videos and music can be enjoyed with Ubuntu). So it should be okay for SMEs.
Switching to Ubuntu makes perfect business sense
I hope that more and more people from the Philippines switch to Linux
especially the PH government…
imagine how much the Philippine government pays for the lisensyas they have (most of the government offices have MS running)
real sad
we can save tax money by switching to this FREE but great OS
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I’m thinking of switching over too, but I’ve always used windows as my o/s , it seems very daunting!
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