[sclug] Dell desktop for 175GBP inc. delivered - offer closes 2/11/2005

[John Stumbles]

Stuart Major wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
> This might seem like a daft question (and apologies if it is) but is 
> there any downside to this machine, would you be able to dual boot XP 
> and a Linux distro?

I don't see why not ...
> 
> I volunteer for an organic food coop (www.truefood.coop) and we are 
> wondering whether to buy a this machine as our old 98 machine is on it's 
> last legs and we are migrating to OSS (albeit slowly).  Would a machine 
> like this help or hinder us in such a step?

.. but suggest you get a cheap kvm[1] switch and set up your new machine 
with Linux only and the keep the old machine running for your windoze 
stuff. Otherwise you'll probably find the new machine never gets booted 
into Linux because people want to use it for the 'dozy stuff. It'll also 
provide a psychological incentive to use OSS apps if they're running on 
the nice shiny fast machine whereas the M$ stuff is on the old clanker.

> I'm getting up to speed with Linux, but not everyone in the coop is, and 
> we would need some OSS accounting software (Gnucash KMyMoney) are these 
> compatible with industry standard 'doze software such as Quicken?

Dunno but I struggle with my own accounts so if your people understand 
accounting more than I do and I understand Linux more[2] than your 
people maybe we can help each other? Whereabouts are you (I mean the 
truefood global HQ)?


[1] Keyboard-Video-Mouse: switches one keyboard, mouse & monitor between 
2 boxes.

[2] for hopefully positive values of 'more' :-)

-- 
John Stumbles