Comment 1628 for bug 1

Hi :)
I think you meant LibreOffice rather than Crossover office.

Support costs are minimal if forums are used.  Organisations such as Canonical and others offer the traditional telephone support and such like.  Often existing support providers might be happier working with Gnu&Linux because it's easier to fix if something does go wrong or maybe they would be less happy because they wouldn't get so many call-outs.

Windows forums and online support tends to be fairly abysmal so it's difficult to get people to trust that sort of support until they see how much better it is for Gnu&Linux.

Gnu&Linux already is more profitable for businesses if they are prepared for initial costs such as installation, set-up, retraining.  Similarly with Macs.  Reports repeatedly show that TCO (=Total Cost of Ownership (which includes support calls and maintenance)) is all far lower for Macs.  However companies see the higher initial costs and choose the cheaper purchase.

I think it's less about cost and more about ease and familiarity.  If they could just pick-up a machine easily that already had everything they need already installed then they might consider it.

One of the other problems is that when they get discounted Windows they are told the costs.  Say a £200 piece of software getting installed for just £35 sounds like they are getting a good bargain.  When people say this equivalent thing is free they can't cope and have to ask "What is wrong with it that it's not being sold at a much higher cost? "

Regards from
Tom :)