14 DAY TRIAL // If you're a tech-savvy user who reads industry news every day, you probably heard that Munich decided some time ago to completely give up on Windows and switch to its own Linux-based operating system in search for lower costs and increased productivity.
The process took years to complete and approximately 15,000 city employees were switched to Limux in an effort that was supposed to help authorities save no less than 10 million Euro ($11 million). And it did, according to mayor Dieter Reiter.
But now, two councillors from Munich's conservative CSU party want the city to go back to Windows because they find Limux cumbersome to use and very limited, as they explained in a letter sent to the mayor.
Instead, they recommend the city to go back to Windows and Microsoft Office, which is not only more familiar and easier to use but it also provides support for apps that can greatly improve collaboration and communications.
New laptops powered by Limux
Munich recently purchased laptops powered by Intel Core i7 processors and equipped with SSDs in order to increase productivity in the key departments, but since they're all running Limux, there's also no improvement in this regard.
That's because “there are no programs for text editing, Skype, Office installed and that prevents normal use,” city councillors Otto Seidl and Sabine Pfeiler explained in the letter to the mayor. What's funny is that Limux actually came with LibreOffice, a free productivity suite that competes against Microsoft Office, so a text editor was indeed available. That says a lot about how easy to use Limux was or about the training that local staff received.
The two Munich officials now want the city to buy Windows and Office and go back to the software that was used before the migration to Limux, which in their opinion could greatly improve productivity, without an impact on costs.
“These devices have already cost a lot of money to acquire. Many town councillors are using their own private notebooks because of the problems. A large number of the devices are going unused,” the two said, according to TechRepublic.
The mayor is yet to offer a response to this request of going back to Windows, but despite the praises, it turns out that the transition to Linux is not at all as smooth as everyone wants to believe.