One major stopping block for business to use Open Source softwares is the steep learning curve in learning a new software. Time spent on learning new software tool (whether open source ir not) is time wasted on business productivity.
This money-time trade off is a main driver of commercial softwares. A locked-in is created once a user is productive with a software and the cost to change is higher than continue paying for it.
As a small-business owner myself, I’m frequently under the pressure of productivity. Not only my own productivity but also my staffs’ as well. Therefore it wouldn’t be realistic to enforce opensource softwares on my staffs at the expense of productivity.
But what about myself?
For myself, I’m willing to spend a little time to further the goal of seeing opensource on the desktop. And I’m excited to report that I’m almost there!
Take a look at my Windows XP All Programs menu on the left. With the exception of Windows XP itself and Rising Antivirus, the remaining are free or open source softwares.
I reluctantly switched from ClamWin to Rising because extra vigilant is called for in the hostile China network environment. (Imagine even the broadband provider is trying to sneak in spywares. Despicable.)
GIMP and Inkscape is my latest goal to wean myself from the twin graphic pillar of Photoshop and Illustrator.
When I replaced my HP notebook recently, I decided to have GIMP as the exclusive image editor. This morning I completed the duo by installing Inkscape.
Having handed off most of my business critical graphic work to my staff, I can now afford to spend some time experimenting these new tools on less time-sensitive projects.
Is switching to Open Source at the expense of productivity?
At this point, I’m afraid the answer is qualified yes. I’m not sure how I can quantify and justify my time spent on using open source alternatives except for the fact that I’m an enthusiast and am willing the “pay the extra”.
It is a qualified yes because the answer applies to the case of switching to an open source alternative in the place of an existing, productive, commercial product.
What is your experience of switching to open source? Is it self-imposed? Company imposed?
Inkscape is actually much more usable than Illustrator. So in many cases it’s more like productivity gained rather than lost.
I guess that would depends on how familiar a person is with Illustrator. It takes a bit of time to switch out.
Also when doing for print, it may take some format juggling to get to the printer who knows nothing except illustrator.
nice, i’m also suggesting InfraRecorder for CD/DVD Burning
(http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/)
GIMPShop (www.gimpshop.net/) to keep the common one-window interface.
Notepad (http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/) as a notepad replacement, with support with lots of programming languages
MusikCube (http://www.musikcube.com/) as a valid alternative to iTunes
and of course Audacity as audio editor
;)
Thanks for the list Kitch!
InfraRecoder is something that I had been looking for.