Need your input

[LittleGreenOrange]

Hi everyone

I am hoping to get some input for an operating system.

I'm well on the way into making it now and wondered if you thought it is important to be able to use current microsoft software on it?

Also, for business use there are tools for word processing, spreadsheets, accounting etc are there any others you would definitely suggest adding?

I ask because i look at this not from a business perspective.

[googol]

Are you creating your own flavour of Linux or are you writing your own from scratch?

[LittleGreenOrange]

yeah its based on Linux. I thinks its a very good system to build on and I use my own Linux distro rather than windows.

Also, I love open source :)

[Whittie]

A must for most business people would have to be....


Outlook, contacts, tasks, mail & Calender.
A Form of Powerpoint / Presentation
Word
Excel
A Small easy to use accounting programme
A PDF View & Maker
Internet Browser

I think day to day, most people on this forum would use the above, if not day to day, then certainly come accross a point during a month when the programme gets opened.

[adamb]

I don't mean to put a wet blanket on your plan but if you're interested in operating system development then get involved with one that's already being used rather than making your own.

Linux will never have a major business impact because of the strangle hold that microsoft has in that area.

Good luck!!

[Jaytag Computer]

Linux will never have a major business impact because of the strangle hold that microsoft has in that area.

Them's fighting words! What about this (http://arstechnica.com/open-source/news/2009/03/french-police-saves-millions-of-euros-by-adopting-ubuntu.ars) small organisation?

Give it time and more public sector organisations will adopt linux as a cost saving measure - it's only a matter of time for that to trickle down to the private sector?

Considering the cost of Microsoft office, £FREE software is a major advantage.

Right, I'm off my high horse now! I'll keep using Ubuntu linux on a daily basis for my business however until it's unsupported.

[adamb]

I didn't mean to start up a fight I was just giving my perspective on the original poster's question. I realise that there are significant benefits to using Linux but the truth of the matter is that many organisations are so tied to MS Office in particular that Linux struggles to make headway.

For the record I use open-source software at home but I am "compelled" to use Microsoft products at work. This is in large part due to Excel's macro capabilities.

[Jaytag Computer]

No worries Adam - I spend most of my days supporting MS products - they are my bread and butter so can't be too critical.

Excel still is Microsoft's killer app in my book. I'm even eagerly awaiting Windows 7 :eek:

[LittleGreenOrange]

I fully understand why people might want to stay with windows but as for the dependence on Office linux can support Windows software with the Wine package. So I think Linux based operating systems will eventually take over some areas of the market.

I certainly know a few companies that prefer Linux simply due to the cost instead of licensing many computers for Windows, even Google use their own version of Ubuntu in the offices.

Also very good for servers.

I'm even eagerly awaiting Windows 7

Indeed, I have been using Windows 7 for a while on one of my computers, runs rings around Vista.