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Weblog:   Mac vs. PC, a small cost comparison experiment
Subject:   Re-training cost in switching
Date:   2004-05-17 22:39:12
From:   bioinfotools
At least one thing is missing in most cost comparisons: the machine that switches you away from your current OS has a retraining cost.


While this may not matter at all to first time users (as they need not retrain!) and not much to home users (as the learning experience may be part of the deal), it is something smart businesses will consider. They need to determine if, in the long run, switching will prove profitable.


There are obviously other factors too (particular software, networking, availability/access to Unix, etc.). I just wanted to raise this issue of retraining as I rarely see it included in the costings of one machine over the other. Despite Apple's campaign, it does take time to become proficient in a new OS.


FWIW, I use OS X & Linux in my office and Windows (in a limited way) on off-site contract work. I personally like OS X, but then it suits my needs: the Unix core is more-or-less vital to my work.
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  • Re-training cost in switching
    2004-08-23 14:41:15  etyrnal [Reply | View]

    retraining?

    you are talking about on eof the SIMPLEST computers to use on he entire market...

    simle but NOT weak... there is more power there than meets most eyes... heck they are building Super Computer CLusters out of thses things...

    Not everyone who comes in the door is always going to know how to use your particular software anyway... and most people i know can find there wat around a Mac with out having their hand held...

    have you ever spent some time in an Apple store? ?

    People who do NOT own macs and have never used them before just walk up and find their way around like they understand them.... they were designed fomr the BEGINNING (1984) to be INTUITIVE... they are...

    say the people at your company use 5 basic apps...

    put those apps on the dock... tell them "There's MS Office. There's Mail. There's Keynote. There's iCal. There's Quicken or MYOB."

    and you're DONE.

    training time 21 seconds...

    total cost none... you would have watsed that time later on in the day anyway... and you gain the benefit of having INVESTED time in your people...

  • Re-training cost in switching
    2004-05-19 07:47:54  jwenting [Reply | View]

    what's also not commonly taken into account by Apple and Linux pushers is the considerable cost of retooling to replace custom software.

    While for SMB this may amount to not all that much if all they use is COTS without any customisation at all (how many companies like that are there that have not even a few form-letters and fax cover sheets with company logo and address???), for larger businesses that retooling alone can run into the hundreds of thousands of Euros easily for a company with a hundred or less workstations.

    And then of course the training on the new sofware...
    • Re-training cost in switching
      2005-03-04 19:01:18  natrobius [Reply | View]

      "While for SMB this may amount to not all that much if all they use is COTS without any customisation at all (how many companies like that are there that have not even a few form-letters and fax cover sheets with company logo and address???), for larger businesses that retooling alone can run into the hundreds of thousands of Euros easily for a company with a hundred or less workstations."

      You are showing your ignorance in the linux field! SuSE has had SMB conquered for a LONG time. Linux is now FULLY windows compatible, in the sense that it allows you to edit Office files with Open Office, and anything else you can do on windows you can just about do in linux!
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