[ILUG] Open Source for local business

[Paul Scollon]

Hi all,

just writing to let you know the outcome of a workshop/seminar myself 
and fellow open source crusader Andrew Clarke held in Dundalk yesterday.

About 6 months ago I approached the Chamber of Commerce suggesting a 
workshop in saving software costs for small businesses. They offered to 
organise it and the local Enterprise Board offered to pay for the 
training facilities. We waved any fees in the spirit of what we were 
hoping to get across to people.

I was hoping for 10 or 11 local businesses to show up.

In the end end 50 businesses asked to be on the list, and we had to turn 
others away as the facilities could only hold 25 (so we did 2 sessions, 
morning and afternoon).

I can only say it went INCREDIBLY well, and the feedback form local 
business was astounding. We covered mostly open source software 
alternatives for Windows, plus some stuff on Portable Apps, but also 
mentioned Linux and how it was a great server solution for hosting your 
own services. We spoke about the origins of open source, and the 
difference between it and 'free' software. We also gave a lot of stats, 
case studies and bar charts and stuff that business people can relate to.

We demonstrated how easy it is to migrate users from Microsoft Office to 
LibreOffice, Phtoshop to GIMP and so on. They was particular interest 
and amazement at the availability of open source CRM and Groupware 
packages that we demonstrated.

Afterwards we were bombarded with questions and requests for mote 
hands-on workshops, further seminars etc.

I'm thinking that small IT companies who support open source around the 
country should similarly approach their local Chamber of Commerce and 
arrange similar events. The time for open source to make headway in 
business in Ireland seems to be now, if yesterday is anything to go by.

Some of the material we used, with more to follow, is available at 
http://www.opensourceireland.biz

Paul Scollon