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Green Party Leaders Don't Want Windows In Munich (techrepublic.com)
Reader sqorbit writes: Munich spent a lot of time (9 years) and a lot of money in shifting some 15,000 staff to a Linux-based OS. The plan now is to move to Windows 10 by 2021. Munich's Green Party is citing the WannaCry virus as a valid reason not to switch to Windows. "As with many of the biggest attacks, the computers that were mainly hit were running the Windows operating system," the Green Party said in a statement.
Sheesh, are they also anti-skylight?
But arguing wanna cry is your reason makes me wanna cry. Updated versions of windows weren't susceptible to the worm. This seems like a moot point or at least one where they're stretching the truth to make one.
I'm surprised they need windows this badly myself especially after making the switch. My guess is there are a few bureaucrats who can't understand how to use open office or think it's "too difficult" to send/receive attachments. Thus Linux is "no good" and Windows is a "necessity."
I mean I get it if you start a job and Windows is foisted on you but why would anyone choose to switch to it?
They were already planning on switching back to windows because something wasn't working with linux/open source. They should try to address that problem instead and make a case for staying with linux instead of fear mongering.
did you forget to take your meds?
I switched to CentOS (with Mate) on the desktop several years ago. I have windows on dual boot. I haven't booted into Windows for nearly year. I don't miss windows for anything. When I upgraded from CentOS 6 to CentOS 7 it literally only took me about 2 hours to upgrade and install my toolchain and have backups working. With Windows this would have taken an entire day. I smirk at my associates who worry about Ransomware or just cruft slowing chocking their desktops/laptops.
However my use case may be different than others.
I have a feeling that Microsoft is probably giving Windows 10 to them for free, just to have the publicity of all those computers being switched back to Windows from Linux. I believe official documents should be in open formats anyway, and not locked into a proprietary commercial format. I don't want to spend money buying Microsoft Office just to open some documents that were sent to me, especially official documents. I create my documents using LibreOffice. If the recipient can't read them properly, they can install the free LibreOffice or OpenOffice on Windows, OSX or Linux. I think LibreOffice may be coming to Android soon also.
I actually keep my own personal, important files in plain old ASCII text files when it's feasible. I can open those documents on just about anything, including my old Commodore 64.
The Green Party directly contributes to climate change via their opposition to nuclear power and their GMO denialism, despite always saying that climate change is a huge problem that needs addressed. Why give the Green Party the time of day?
Wannacry isn't a valid reason to abandon Windows. Security by removing one single attack vector isn't security.
How about instead staffing a dedicated IT security department and actually doing security properly?
cause that is how you leak government data. windows 10. lol.
Crap, I thought for sure 2021 was going to be the Year of Linux Desktop! they spent 8 years preparing for it to!
switching back to MS_Windows is only setting yourself up as a target for attack, stick with Linux, even with Linux if one distro is targeted it would be super easy to switch distros and still install the same applications built to run on another distro of Linux that is not targeted, so with Linux you have that strength too
Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
If the green party is anything like similar parties here in Spain you'd expect them to be very nitpicky about what they use and to care about freedoms and such.
So I've been really disappointed that the reasons they give to stay in Linux is "WannaCry", i.e. Virus and the like.
I'd hope such a party would know and care about Windows 10's telemetry, publicity and user tracking. If even they don't know or care means that 99'9% of people don't and so Microsoft has no reason to change and then probably Windows will get worse and worse.
It's a pity because i quite liked Windows until 7 and I'm unlikely to ever be able to get completely away from it.
Basically, they're finding there's a lag between new hardware being released and the OS getting updates to support it, and it's a huge PIA for support staff.
Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
When German Green party says something then it is usually exactly the opposite of one should do if one were to use reason and facts. That is the sorry state of affairs in Germany these days. It means that this recommendation should be looked at carefully before deployment.
I never agree w/ the Green Party (anywhere), but on this one, finally they've found something I can agree w/ them on. Since Munich has already spent a ton of cash converting to their own Linux distro, it would be a sheer waste of person-hours to go back to Windows. Since they have something that is totally in their control
As far as the documents go, would it be very difficult for Microsoft to do a Linux version of Office 365 (they could monetize it that way) client, given that they already have a version for Android? I know, Android has that UI that almost totally masks the Linux underpinnings, but Microsoft could do a client for Linux (and BSD) that would run Office 365, and run the OS off Azure. That way, they can have a steady stream of cash, instead of being caught up in trying to forcibly upgrade people's OSs.
I myself successfully use this TrueOS computer for most of my computing, which is sending emails & browsing the internet. I do have a separate Windows laptop, which I use if I need to edit any Word documents, or if I need to play my Steam games. Once I can get the latter on this TrueOS box, I'll hardly need even that.
Or is there a case of technical personnel ignoring user needs, for example exchanging files with people outside the organization or using offsite computers with only windows and office for a presentation, and not having formatting change?
I've been to meetings (US National Science Foundation) where the protocol for speakers was to submit their powerpoint file ahead of the meeting and select it on the windows box with msoffice at the podium when they go on stage.
She's saying there are fewer people tinkering with desktop Linux these days so it is harder to find people to maintain and update their customized distribution. That the new generation of techies are much more interested in mobile than desktop.
Okay, if one is in the medical profession and you are bound by proprietary drivers (probably outdated), or in some other professional with similar hardware lockins (Construction, Automobile/Farming equipment Computer diagnostics/calibration), or POSSIBLY hearing aid equipment interfaces/drivers (again outdated typically), you don't need MS Windows (feel free to add professional category subject to hardware lock-in). 95% of all tools are web based via Intranet or Internet. Linux does all the word processing, email, messaging, web surfing and even video chat options you need. LibreOffice's only serious weakness is on complex tables. But since MS and Google are pushing web based subscription, that may not even matter a lot unless you work with confidential data requiring local access only use + complex excel tables. I've been seeing/helping people convert to Mint Linux and Debian for years with no complaints. Gamers may complain about not having the full selection of games, but in government that is not a positive factor I think. Also, Windows 10 is NOT immune to WannaCry. you can patch it, but, given MS's recent history with buggy (or misleading) patches you can't really rely on it. Plus you can be sure others are adapting it to new "patched" Windows 10 anyway. Also will Munich get a "special" version of Windows 10 like China did to prevent government secrets going to the USA? (And the government agencies within) https://thenextweb.com/microso... I think most non-USA governments, as well as business/agencies that have confidential information in non-USA location will have to make a hard choice to avoid violating their basic oaths/ethics requirements.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Einstein
They are using 3 versions of their local image (LiMux 5.x, 4.1, 4.0) alongside with Windows 7, Xp and ...windows 2000. What could possibly go wrong ?
Furthermore when you know there is not one IT department but... 22 and that
"a lot of work that's not done in the central IT but in the distributed IT,"
In the US the Greens are in bed with Putin, just check out Stein's dinner date with Putin and Russian Spy Mike Flynn.
They will get them in just in time to pay for long term support contracts!
Operating Systems Mainstream Support Ends Extended Support Ends
Windows 101 October 13, 2020 October 14, 2025
http://www.allyncs.com/docs/lifecyclesupport.html
I only look human.
My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
As far as the documents go, would it be very difficult for Microsoft to do a Linux version of Office 365 (they could monetize it that way) client, given that they already have a version for Android? I know, Android has that UI that almost totally masks the Linux underpinnings, but Microsoft could do a client for Linux (and BSD) that would run Office 365, and run the OS off Azure. That way, they can have a steady stream of cash, instead of being caught up in trying to forcibly upgrade people's OSs.
If Microsoft were to do that then they would lose one of the things that chains people to their operating system; so it would not be a commercially sensible thing to do. The biggest problem is not the word processor (just specify .ODF - the city is large enough to do that), but integration with Microsoft Exchange - especially group-ware (calendaring).
Since Munich has already spent a ton of cash converting to their own Linux distro, it would be a sheer waste of person-hours to go back to Windows. Since they have something that is totally in their control
There is a non-trivial cost associated with maintaining your own operating system from both a security and features standpoint.
As far as the documents go, would it be very difficult for Microsoft to do a Linux version of Office 365 (they could monetize it that way) client, given that they already have a version for Android?
In the meantime they could do that in the browser.
That way, they can have a steady stream of cash, instead of being caught up in trying to forcibly upgrade people's OSs.
The OS upgrades were free. But that aside yes they should drive office on Linux like they have on macOS, iOS and Android.
Is there even a good suite of FOSS products that does that? I mean LibreOffice is in most cases an adequate replacement for MS Office but what about integrating it with and email and calendar (meeting/booking/etc) with push notifications solution?
Time will show that this discussion has nothing to do with the user base, usability or any of those things. The reason for the change is simple M$ has lined the pockets of the key influences and decision makers.
But Microsoft has already done that w/ both iOS and Android, and IIRC, those applications even exist on OS X. So it wouldn't be a first of anything, and they'd still have a steady income stream of people paying them for an annual Office 365 subscription.
Also, is Exchange a part of what Munich was on? B'cos if that was, they'd never have gotten off Windows in the first place. For group work, there are plenty of Android utilities that would work - all of it doesn't have to be on the desktop, and besides, if they used something like gmail for their email, they could just as easily use Google calendar for coordinating work.
From what I recall, Munix - the distro that Munich created - is a Debian offshoot. Since the security is coming from upstream, what's to prevent them from just depending on debian for their security updates? And if they want more than that, they could have a group of admins to port OpenBSD security utilities to their OS.
And why would newer features matter? It's a work environment: they don't have to suddenly add support for, say, snapchat in the OS. Just create an OS, have a secure and stable base, and have everyone work off from that.
The German Greens have backed the LiMux project from the start, but they remain a minority in Munich.
The outcome depends on which party will have the majority in 2021.