6 ms·

Just a small information that's missing from the discussion: I'm sure this decision doesn't have anything to do with Microsoft (a major taxpayer) moving its Ger

by rob74 9y ago

Just a small information that's missing from the discussion: I'm sure this decision doesn't have anything to do with Microsoft (a major taxpayer) moving its German offices from the suburbs (Unterschleißheim) to Munich proper in 2016 (https://mspoweruser.com/microsoft-germany-moves-into-a-new-headquarters/ https://mspoweruser.com/microsoft-germany-moves-into-a-new-h...)...

static_noise 9y ago
Key users hated Linux and their know-it-all IT administration prescribing them software that nobody else uses. During the time the IT department failed to provide a solution that was better than the MS offering. The user interface is different and the compatibility lacked badly. Let's be honest. How do you beat MS Office using Linux solutions? Will your Excel documents with macros still work flawlessly? How would you replace Exchange? Maybe Thunderbird with what calendar solution? There are tons of material and training for everyday MS Office use and most people are already familiar with the details they need. For OpenOffice... not as much... OpenOffice isn't even really developed anymore as people switch to LibreOffice.
- Certhas 9y ago
  From people in Munich I talked to, there were a number of interwoven problems. In particular there was a major IT reorganisation at the same time as the switch. Users also tend to blame everything on Linux, whether related or not. An yeah at the end of the day, interop with MS documents is not seamless.
  - bo1024 9y ago
    That makes sense. When you try something new, every hurdle or setback gets blamed on the new system. When you stick with something old, they're accepted as part of the daily grind.
frik 9y ago
Munich should have switched to ChromeOS/ChromiumOS or Android or RedHat/CentOS or Ubuntu on thin clients, as the software is anyway usually web based in the cloud/intranet. But neither Google nor RedHat or Ubuntu are known to lobby. @sz4kerto: > ChromeOS proprietary Why you pick this one of a list of many? ChromiumOS is open source, as is Android, as is RedHat or Ubuntu. But Windows is proprietary. > Google spends a lot on lobbying, by the way, afaik more than what Microsoft is spending. Really? Source please. The question is how much do they all spend lobbying for an OS? How much do they spend lobbying in Munich? (hint German HQ got relocated to Munich) You read like a employee.
- sz4kerto 9y ago
  How's ChromeOS better than Windows? It's proprietary, and on the top of that, it directly relies on an external service. Google spends a lot on lobbying, by the way, afaik more than what Microsoft is spending.
- dEnigma 9y ago
  Why do you reply by editing your original comment, instead of using the "reply"-function?
  - frik 9y ago
    Here is why - even if I risk more downvotes or getting flagged down: If someone flags your comment on HN, you can only post about 4 comments per day and news submit feature is "practically" disabled - HN displays a "slow down, don't submit so fast" Error message which of course makes little sense. Also your comments will start with a lower/negative value behind the scene, you will find your posts on the bottom even if it says 1 votes, and other comments with negative value may be above yours. There is a lot of monitoring by companies contracted obviously by $$ going on, to shape PR and public opinion. Be it employees, fanboys, or paid PR drones, it doesn't matter, they are quite toxic to the community at large I would say. I would wish more moderation in regard, and the removal of the downvote- and flag-functionality for everyone (but moderators).
    - 9y ago

by rob74 9y ago

static_noise 9y ago

Key users hated Linux and their know-it-all IT administration prescribing them software that nobody else uses. During the time the IT department failed to provide a solution that was better than the MS offering. The user interface is different and the compatibility lacked badly. Let's be honest. How do you beat MS Office using Linux solutions? Will your Excel documents with macros still work flawlessly? How would you replace Exchange? Maybe Thunderbird with what calendar solution? There are tons of material and training for everyday MS Office use and most people are already familiar with the details they need. For OpenOffice... not as much... OpenOffice isn't even really developed anymore as people switch to LibreOffice.

Certhas 9y ago
From people in Munich I talked to, there were a number of interwoven problems. In particular there was a major IT reorganisation at the same time as the switch. Users also tend to blame everything on Linux, whether related or not. An yeah at the end of the day, interop with MS documents is not seamless.
- bo1024 9y ago
  That makes sense. When you try something new, every hurdle or setback gets blamed on the new system. When you stick with something old, they're accepted as part of the daily grind.

frik 9y ago

Munich should have switched to ChromeOS/ChromiumOS or Android or RedHat/CentOS or Ubuntu on thin clients, as the software is anyway usually web based in the cloud/intranet. But neither Google nor RedHat or Ubuntu are known to lobby. @sz4kerto: > ChromeOS proprietary Why you pick this one of a list of many? ChromiumOS is open source, as is Android, as is RedHat or Ubuntu. But Windows is proprietary. > Google spends a lot on lobbying, by the way, afaik more than what Microsoft is spending. Really? Source please. The question is how much do they all spend lobbying for an OS? How much do they spend lobbying in Munich? (hint German HQ got relocated to Munich) You read like a employee.

sz4kerto 9y ago
How's ChromeOS better than Windows? It's proprietary, and on the top of that, it directly relies on an external service. Google spends a lot on lobbying, by the way, afaik more than what Microsoft is spending.
dEnigma 9y ago
Why do you reply by editing your original comment, instead of using the "reply"-function?
- frik 9y ago
  Here is why - even if I risk more downvotes or getting flagged down: If someone flags your comment on HN, you can only post about 4 comments per day and news submit feature is "practically" disabled - HN displays a "slow down, don't submit so fast" Error message which of course makes little sense. Also your comments will start with a lower/negative value behind the scene, you will find your posts on the bottom even if it says 1 votes, and other comments with negative value may be above yours. There is a lot of monitoring by companies contracted obviously by $$ going on, to shape PR and public opinion. Be it employees, fanboys, or paid PR drones, it doesn't matter, they are quite toxic to the community at large I would say. I would wish more moderation in regard, and the removal of the downvote- and flag-functionality for everyone (but moderators).
  - 9y ago