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Windows to Linux Migration Case Histories

Copyright (C) 2001 by Steve Litt, All rights reserved. Material provided as-is, use at your own risk. 


By Steve Litt
I published "The Windows To Linux Conversion" in late March, 2001. By mid-May of that year I'd found two additional Windows to Linux case histories. All three share incredible similarities. All three authors are editors of serious websites. All three use their computers as a centerpiece of their work, and therefore were hesitant to make the switch. All three discussed their procrastination, their needs, and their setbacks. All three performed needs analysis, experimentation, and finally conversion. All three serve as excellent models for YOUR Windows to Linux conversion.

These three case histories are:

As I discover new Windows to Linux case histories, I'll place their pointers and descriptions below the first three. If you find case histories not listed on this page, please email me with their URLs.

The Windows to Linux Conversion, by Steve Litt

This is an entire issue of Troubleshooting Professional Magazine giving a play by play description of Troubleshooters.Com's migration from the Windows 98 desktop to the Linux (Mandrake) desktop. Starting with a description and history of the company, this series of articles lists the motivations for migration, the procrastination, the early attempts, the disappointments, as well as the mechanics of the final transition, and even some post-transition commentary. (http://www.troubleshooters.com/tpromag/200104/200104.htm)

Defenestrating Windows, by Rick Lehrbaum

LinuxDevices.Com founder Rick Lehrbaum describes his journey from Windows to Linux in this five part article whose final part's triumphant title is called "Look ma: no Windows!" Starting with early setbacks and procrastinations, Rick leads the reader through his needs assessment and his mapping of Linux hosted software to those needs, ending up with a Linux-based system suiting his businesses needs. (http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT5355152140.html)

Moving to Linux, by William Henning

AboutLinux.Com and CPUReview.Com editor William Henning writes a just-the-facts two part article on the migration of his "business workstation" from NT to Linux (Mandrake 8). His transition appears complete, but he's still not sure about Envision as his email client, or what to do with his old Eudora mailboxes. This article contains an enlightening analysis of StarOffice as a replacement for MS Office. (http://aboutlinux.com/art_mvlinux_a.html:)
 

FURTHER MIGRATION ARTICLES

The Life After Windows series, by Steve Litt

This series answers the question "what does it feel like working without Windows".

5/2001 TPM Linux Log: Life After Windows:

Documents my relief at recapturing my data in the wake of the MS Passport Terms of Service scandal and various other MS License issues that have recently come to light. Also discusses the migration of my CD burner from Windows to the Linux box, and various Linux apps that replaced Windows apps.

6/2001 TPM Life After Windows:

Once again, the emotion is relief. Discusses how "do not copy" drivers on floppy, CD keys and software rental look to a Linux person. First mention of Troubleshooters.Com's conversion to Vim6 as outline processing software.

Moving to Linux: Part 2 - Settling In, by William Henning

This article describes William's experiences and answers the question "were you able to stay in Linux". For those of you who can't take suspense I'll give you a hint -- this article is a great pattern for the good life in Linux, and if you're a Eudora user this thoroughly explains your Email migration path.


Copyright (C) 2001 by Steve Litt, All rights reserved. Material provided as-is, use at your own risk.


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