Katherine, from MIND

I have found my experience so far with the FOSS Project to be extremely beneficial and certainly an eye opener as an alternative to Microsoft, the only software I have previously used. I have found the software easy to use and very straightforward and although the layout is different it is fairly easy to adapt to. I use it on a fairly regular basis - it is not used as my daily desktop, but I have shown one of my colleagues how to use the software and she uses it once a week now as well. She has described the software as ’clear and uncluttered’.

I have mostly been using the Open Office Base and Project Management programmes, trying to set up databases and experiment with project schedules. Although I experienced difficulties with both programmes (and still do occasionally!) I am getting the hang of them now and do like using them. On the whole the experience has been and I am sure will continue to be a valuable one.

Graham, from Herts Citizens Advice and CamMind West

This is rather less of a difficulty, more of a challenge, but I get the impression that Linux programs are constantly evolving and thus users may need to keep up to date with new and bug fixing versions. This may be difficult for busy non technical users in an office environment. Potential users might need some sort of training manual or possibly a series of manuals.

Open Office compatibility with MS and its additional facility to export as PDF documents, give it strong advantages, especially if documents need to be moved around different offices or external destinations. However, many charity workers will need education to appreciate this and the other advantages.

It would be useful if the Help texts were able to be printed out as a manual – at the learning stage many people find paper based instructions easier than reading from the screen. Some subjects which would interest me: understanding root [system administration].

Rosalind, from the West Norfolk Council for Voluntary Service

So far I have found the use of the Linux computer to be relatively easy. Initial difficulties have been simply where to find things that were not in the usual places. It still takes me some time and searching when I do something I do not often do.

Problems I have had have been mainly:
  Writing to a CD is a little more complicated than from my regular computer.
  Linux could not open my Access documents or my publisher documents.
  On opening some documents with our logo on it, it shows the logo in two places, one in the original place and another at the bottom of the page. This happens randomly.
  My major problem is I cannot share calendars and as I am in other people’s calendars all day, this meant I have been switching between computers several times a day.

Rodger, from Fenland CVS

We have been using Linux alongside our existing MS platform. We have used the equipment on a stand alone basis and have not attempted to connect to our existing networks. We have used the data bar which the project provided to move documents back and forth. To date we have concentrated our efforts on the office suite of programmes and have found them to be user friendly and robust.

Navigating around the various features has been relatively easy, essentially anybody who has used MS Office could probably use this product, it is simply a case of understanding where specific features are located. The main thing to get used to is to remember to save documents in MS format if they are to be accessed by others. The ability to export directly as PDF without having to install Adobe is a big benefit.

I know from the original meeting that a number of colleagues were keen to explore the wider opportunities which Open Source Software provides, we have chosen to stick to the core system for the time being but would be keen to learn of the experiences of other colleagues in this respect.

Linda, from Crossroads, Cottenham

I have only used word documents and spreadsheets on this new system as this is not the only computer I use. I like the different way that files are saved either on a disc or from a disc to the computer. It did take a while to get used to, but I do prefer it.

I had a problem with the spreadsheets the first time I used them. All the information I had put in was there on the screen, but when I tried to preview or print the information it wasn’t there. I’m still not quite sure how I solved the problem, but it works fine now. As well I am very impressed with the fact it has its own built in anti virus protection.

Mike, from Voluntary Action Luton

Using Linux now ourselves, does open the doors for discussion and it is of help to both our own organisations and those visiting the project, to see how Linux can be used in working situations. Most people cannot believe that all the software can be obtained freely and installed so easily.

On the software side, I really like Ubuntu Linux environment, because it has a lot of useful functions, such as multiple desktops etc. Open Office has so many options that I am still discovering them!! I had a few difficulties opening Access type files though, but not too many.

In March I will be running a design course locally where I am aiming to use Gimp to edit pictures on websites or in printing. I also aim to introduce Linux and give the participants a CD with the Gimp software to install free.

The visit from Christina and Mathieu was really very useful and it helped us clear up a lot of little issues. It is essential in this kind of projects to have this knowledge available, particularly because support is a key thing for everyone starting up. Can we please get them back to do another training session at the end of the project?

Andrew, from Cambridge Online

We have been using the Linux computer in our special training facility where we provide one-to-one computer tuition for people living with a wide range of disabilities. People attend a two hour session, usually once every two weeks, from all over East Anglia. Several of our tutors have experimented with the computer to see how they get on with it — many of them need to use assistive technology (hardware and software) in order to control the computer. These are our thoughts so far: we set-up the PC without any problems, and it started up okay.

Everybody finds the screen and menus clear and easy to follow. We found the whole system intuitive, and we were able to move around much as we were used to with Windows. We found some minor variations in the descriptions on the menus. We have downloaded Open Office onto our main computers, and some people are using it as an alternative to MS Office. We have also received CD copies of Linux and some people are clearly being “converted”!

We like using Open Office, and found everything intuitive once again. We like the box that shows the margins in Writer. The PDF export is great, and we have been using it to email documents to our trustees and for publications on our website. However, we have been unable to copy the report format from Access. We have tested Open Office with JAWS (a screen reader) and it generally works well. The menu names can be confusing if you are used to listening to MS names.

We have not had much luck with the Accessibility features, and have not been able to get sound working, despite an intervention by Mathieu. So far, we have been able to connect all the assistive technology hardware (tracker balls, joysticks, etc) that we have tried - but we have further testing to do. We were unable to connect a USB Portable Hard drive.