[SC.LUG] [Fwd: [ubuntu-uk] Business with Ubuntu]

[Tim Dobson]

I wondered if anyone here had any thoughts for James? :)
cheers,

Tim

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [ubuntu-uk] Business with Ubuntu
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 09:04:19 +0100
From: James Milligan <lake54 at lake54.com>
Reply-To: British Ubuntu Talk <ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com>
To: British Ubuntu Talk <ubuntu-uk at lists.ubuntu.com>

Let me just say that I couldn't think of a better title for this, so
please  improve it if you can!

The shop I work in sells desktop computers that are built to order
each time, meaning the OS too. We also sell laptops by ASUS but that's
not really relevant at the moment. Our main thing, though, is
repairing computers in general.

The boss has told me that he's got 2 Ubuntu desktops to be built, and
he wants me to do them. He said this because I'm pretty much the only
person in the company that's knows about Ubuntu enough to install it
and set it up.

I feel that the time is right to suggest moving to Ubuntu as a
mainstream option when people are choosing what OS to have. The only
issues I can see, and what he will see, are the following:

- profitability - how much do you 'charge' for Ubuntu to make it
worthwhile? Also, because of the nature of Windows PCs, we get a lot
of return sales because of the repairs etc. I know Ubuntu computers
break, but not as often or as badly as Windows ones do.

- training - I'm sure he doesn't want to cough up for the official
Canonical training, yet I can't go around teaching the guys who know
more about Windows than I will probably ever do about it. Is there any
training (preferably close to Manchester, but Cheshire would be better).

I hope someone can think of 'solutions' for this - I know that he'd go
for Ubuntu if he could, it's just that there isn't as much profit in
it. Thanks for any help!

James Milligan

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