Open Source Software in the OPWOpen Source Software in the OPW

Liam StewartLiam StewartAssistant Principal / Network ManagerAssistant Principal / Network Manager

liam.stewart@opw.ieliam.stewart@opw.ie

The Office of Public WorksThe Office of Public Works

Founded in 1831Founded in 1831

9 Business Units9 Business Units

- Property Management- Property Management

- Property Maintenance- Property Maintenance

- Project Management- Project Management

- Heritage Services- Heritage Services

- Architectural Services- Architectural Services

- Engineering Services- Engineering Services

- Facilities Management- Facilities Management

- Flood Relief- Flood Relief

- National Procurement Service- National Procurement Service

To be coveredTo be covered

Open source developmentsOpen source developments Open source software used by OPWOpen source software used by OPW Why OPW has chosen open sourceWhy OPW has chosen open source Experiences with deployment of OpenOffice Experiences with deployment of OpenOffice

(inc. Lessons learned)(inc. Lessons learned) Future possibilitiesFuture possibilities

OPW's IT function - Scale of operationOPW's IT function - Scale of operation

- 125 sites- 125 sites

- 100+ servers- 100+ servers

- 1,200 PCs- 1,200 PCs

- 45 LANs- 45 LANs

- Extensive wireless deployments- Extensive wireless deployments

Technologies in useTechnologies in use

- Windows XP desktops- Windows XP desktops

- MS-Office 2003/OpenOffice 3.2- MS-Office 2003/OpenOffice 3.2

- Windows 2003 servers- Windows 2003 servers

- Novell Netware 6.5 (servers)- Novell Netware 6.5 (servers)

- Unix / Linux (servers)- Unix / Linux (servers)

- Oracle/MySQL/MS-SQL Server- Oracle/MySQL/MS-SQL Server

- Citrix (thin client)- Citrix (thin client)

- Storage Area Networks (SAN)- Storage Area Networks (SAN)

- VMware virtualisation- VMware virtualisation

- VoIP- VoIP

We are no longer aloneWe are no longer alone

Guardian newspaper moves to OpenOfficeGuardian newspaper moves to OpenOffice

Open Source Software in use in OPWOpen Source Software in use in OPW

OpenOfficeOpenOffice Mozilla ThunderbirdMozilla Thunderbird Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox Linux (SuSe)Linux (SuSe) Apache/PHP/MySQLApache/PHP/MySQL Scribus (Desktop publishing)Scribus (Desktop publishing) Gimp (alternative to Adobe Gimp (alternative to Adobe

photoshop)photoshop) Trac (Bugtracker)Trac (Bugtracker) OpenProj (Project OpenProj (Project

Management)Management)

WPKGWPKG Socialtext (Wiki)Socialtext (Wiki) Clam AVClam AV WiresharkWireshark NmapNmap Prey (stolen devices)Prey (stolen devices) GIS (PostGres, GIS (PostGres,

GeoServer, Mapserver, GeoServer, Mapserver, OpenLayers, GeoExt, OpenLayers, GeoExt, Quantum Desktop)Quantum Desktop)

Why Open Source?Why Open Source? StandardsStandards Community-drivenCommunity-driven LicensingLicensing Can reduce the need for public procurement (e.g. Thunderbird, OO)Can reduce the need for public procurement (e.g. Thunderbird, OO) Access to source codeAccess to source code CostCost Lessen dependence on proprietary software / vendor-lock-inLessen dependence on proprietary software / vendor-lock-in Reduce risk of viruses (e.g. Thunderbird mail)Reduce risk of viruses (e.g. Thunderbird mail) Can make advanced software available to all users as standardCan make advanced software available to all users as standard

Mozilla Thunderbird (E-mail)Mozilla Thunderbird (E-mail)

Commenced roll-out in early 2009 on a Commenced roll-out in early 2009 on a staggered basisstaggered basis

Currently in excess of 1,100 users (60 left to Currently in excess of 1,100 users (60 left to do)do)

Mozilla FirefoxMozilla Firefox

Provided as standard on all PCs to give users Provided as standard on all PCs to give users an optionan option

Publicise Firefox “Add-ons” (e.g. WOT, Publicise Firefox “Add-ons” (e.g. WOT, NoScript etc.)NoScript etc.)

Some issues with “Microsoft” Web sitesSome issues with “Microsoft” Web sites

WPKG (Software deployment)WPKG (Software deployment)

Scribus (Desktop Publishing)Scribus (Desktop Publishing)

GIMPGIMP

Novell OES2 (SuSe Linux)Novell OES2 (SuSe Linux)

PortableAppsPortableApps

Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition (web browser) Mozilla Thunderbird, Portable Edition (email)ClamWin Portable (antivirus) Pidgin Portable (instant messaging)Sumatra PDF Portable (PDF reader KeePass Password Safe Portable (password manager)CoolPlayer+ Portable (audio player)OpenOffice.org Portable* (office suite)

Prey (Recover stolen mobile Prey (Recover stolen mobile devices)devices)

What is OpenOffice?What is OpenOffice?

Word in Office is Writer in OpenOffice.

Excel in Office is Calc in OpenOffice.

Powerpoint in Office is Impress in OpenOffice.

Paint in Office is Draw in OpenOffice.

Access in Office is Base in OpenOffice.

OpenOffice – Brief historyOpenOffice – Brief history

Source code originally developed by StarDivision, Source code originally developed by StarDivision, (later acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999)(later acquired by Sun Microsystems in 1999)

Sun released code as Open Source in 2000Sun released code as Open Source in 2000 Stated aim was to compete with MicrosoftStated aim was to compete with Microsoft OpenOffice released in 2002OpenOffice released in 2002 Sun retained “StarOffice” as commercial productSun retained “StarOffice” as commercial product Oracle acquires OpenOffice along with Sun in 2010Oracle acquires OpenOffice along with Sun in 2010 Spin-offs include Go-OO and LibreOfficeSpin-offs include Go-OO and LibreOffice

Standards war (ODF v OpenXML)Standards war (ODF v OpenXML)

• ODF implemented in ODF implemented in OpenOffice, Lotus OpenOffice, Lotus Notes etc.Notes etc.

• ODF supported by ODF supported by IBM, OASIS etc. IBM, OASIS etc.

• ODF is an ISO ODF is an ISO standardstandard

• File types include File types include ODT, ODS, ODPODT, ODS, ODP

• OpenXML OpenXML implemented in MS-implemented in MS-Office 2007Office 2007

• OpenXML is OpenXML is supported by Microsoftsupported by Microsoft

• OpenXML is an ISO OpenXML is an ISO standardstandard

• File types include File types include DOCX, XLSX, PPTXDOCX, XLSX, PPTX

OpenOffice 3.2.1 - featuresOpenOffice 3.2.1 - features Similar in look and feel to MS-Office 2003Similar in look and feel to MS-Office 2003 Runs on all major platformsRuns on all major platforms PDF creator (and editor!)PDF creator (and editor!) Batch conversion utilitiesBatch conversion utilities Support for MS-Office 2007 file types (e.g. Docx)Support for MS-Office 2007 file types (e.g. Docx) Portable versionPortable version As GaeilgeAs Gaeilge Can recover damaged MS-Office filesCan recover damaged MS-Office files Central managementCentral management Open Office needs only 450MB of hard disk space over Open Office needs only 450MB of hard disk space over

Microsoft Office 2010 (3GB)Microsoft Office 2010 (3GB)

OpenOffice 3.3 (Beta) - featuresOpenOffice 3.3 (Beta) - features

Usability enhancementsUsability enhancements Calc will support 1M rows (currently 65K rows)Calc will support 1M rows (currently 65K rows) Increased document protection featuresIncreased document protection features

Benefits of OpenOfficeBenefits of OpenOffice

Eliminates the headache of licence Eliminates the headache of licence managementmanagement

Open standardsOpen standards Community resource for supportCommunity resource for support Free software upgradesFree software upgrades Cost savingsCost savings

OpenOffice - OPW's approach to deploymentOpenOffice - OPW's approach to deployment

Trialled in IT Unit (2004/5)Trialled in IT Unit (2004/5) Dedicated resource / supportDedicated resource / support Piloted in selected areas (2005)Piloted in selected areas (2005) Approval from MAC to deploy (2006)Approval from MAC to deploy (2006) Extensive communications to staffExtensive communications to staff Training programme (voluntary)Training programme (voluntary) External assistance in initial stagesExternal assistance in initial stages Demos to Business Units - Publicised benefitsDemos to Business Units - Publicised benefits Intranet siteIntranet site Hand-holdingHand-holding

Approach to deployment (Contd.)Approach to deployment (Contd.)

CompetitionsCompetitions Free CDs etc. for home useFree CDs etc. for home use Regular communicationsRegular communications Retain MS-Office file typesRetain MS-Office file types Eventual removal of MS-Office from PCsEventual removal of MS-Office from PCs New PCs only have OO unless there are New PCs only have OO unless there are

mitigating circumstancesmitigating circumstances

Obstacles & problems along the wayObstacles & problems along the way

Resitance from some staff (e.g.Professionals)Resitance from some staff (e.g.Professionals) Engineers refused to use anything but ExcelEngineers refused to use anything but Excel Legacy Microsoft formatting (e.g. Templates)Legacy Microsoft formatting (e.g. Templates) Unusual legacy fontsUnusual legacy fonts Macros (Visual Basic)Macros (Visual Basic) Staff declining training coursesStaff declining training courses Copy & PasteCopy & Paste Printer driver issuesPrinter driver issues Passwords in ExcelPasswords in Excel

OpenOffice – Perceptions that need to OpenOffice – Perceptions that need to be overcomebe overcome

Its free so it can't be any good!Its free so it can't be any good! We're an enterprise so we need a big “brand” We're an enterprise so we need a big “brand”

behind usbehind us My job is so important, I have to have MS-My job is so important, I have to have MS-

Office!Office! We won't get support!We won't get support!

Lessons learnedLessons learned

Senior management support is Senior management support is criticalcritical Dedicated resources are required at the early stagesDedicated resources are required at the early stages Training is important (and ideally, compulsory)Training is important (and ideally, compulsory) Stick with MS-Office file typesStick with MS-Office file types Communications strategyCommunications strategy Pilot first!Pilot first! Remove MS-Office from PC after a periodRemove MS-Office from PC after a period New PC builds should have OpenOffice installed (with MS New PC builds should have OpenOffice installed (with MS

files as the default)files as the default)

Lessons learned (contd.)Lessons learned (contd.)

Treat as Treat as change managementchange management project project Freebies are (always welcome!Freebies are (always welcome! Be flexible (e.g. Excel may do a particular job Be flexible (e.g. Excel may do a particular job

better)better)

OpenOffice in OPW – Current StatusOpenOffice in OPW – Current Status

• Installed on all PCs (to provide PDF creation Installed on all PCs (to provide PDF creation and MS-Office 2007 file support)and MS-Office 2007 file support)

• 800 staff using solely OpenOffice800 staff using solely OpenOffice

• 400 staff still using MS-Office 2003400 staff still using MS-Office 2003

Legacy Microsoft file typesLegacy Microsoft file types

• DOC, XLS & PPT are DOC, XLS & PPT are proprietaryproprietary binary file binary file formats! (OpenOffice has reverse-engineered formats! (OpenOffice has reverse-engineered legacy file types)legacy file types)

• Standards for Microsoft legacy files Standards for Microsoft legacy files not not publishedpublished

• Archiving documents – what happens 20 years Archiving documents – what happens 20 years hence?hence?

Powerpoint supports back 3 versions (2000, 2002, & 2003).

Powerpoint 95 is 4 versions back!

How not to go about an OpenOffice How not to go about an OpenOffice project......project......

French Gendarmerie currently replacing Windows XP with Ubuntu (85,000 users across 4,500 police stations). Aim to complete by 2015.

Linux on the desktop?Linux on the desktop?

OpenOffice variantsOpenOffice variants

Ribbon interface - How much Ribbon interface - How much training will your users need?training will your users need?

http://www.exceluser.com/explore/surveys/ribbon/ribbon-survey-results.htm

Re-learning how to use Microsoft Office?Re-learning how to use Microsoft Office?

MS-Office 2007 fontsMS-Office 2007 fonts

• Calibri & Cambria introduced in 2007Calibri & Cambria introduced in 2007

• Problems printing in earlier versions of MS-Problems printing in earlier versions of MS-Office (i.e. files created in MS-Office 2007 but Office (i.e. files created in MS-Office 2007 but saved as legacy file types) saved as legacy file types)

• OpenOffice substitutes an alternative font OpenOffice substitutes an alternative font

MS-Office 2010 v OpenOffice 3.2MS-Office 2010 v OpenOffice 3.2Head-to-headHead-to-head

http://www.itpro.co.uk/620845/head-to-head-office-2010-vs-open-office-3-1/7

http://www.production-engineer.com/blog/index.php?post/2010/02/20/OpenOffice.org-vs.-Microsoft-Office

A Tie!

Compatibility issues when opening Compatibility issues when opening MS-Office files in OOMS-Office files in OO

Microsoft proprietary formattingMicrosoft proprietary formatting VB Macros (Try Go-OO)VB Macros (Try Go-OO)

But......Incompatibilities are not unique to OO!But......Incompatibilities are not unique to OO!

What about Microsoft formats, AutoCad etc.?What about Microsoft formats, AutoCad etc.?

Useful resourcesUseful resources

Bristol City Council – Building a business case for OpenOffice.orgBristol City Council – Building a business case for OpenOffice.org

http://www.opensourceacademy.org.uk/osacademy/our_partners/brishttp://www.opensourceacademy.org.uk/osacademy/our_partners/bristol-city-council/business-case-guidance/building-a-business-case-tol-city-council/business-case-guidance/building-a-business-case-for-staroffice-or-openoffice.orgfor-staroffice-or-openoffice.org

Large-scale migration to an open source office suite: An innovation Large-scale migration to an open source office suite: An innovation adoption study in Finland adoption study in Finland

http://acta.uta.fi/pdf/978-951-44-8216-8.pdfhttp://acta.uta.fi/pdf/978-951-44-8216-8.pdf

• Towards the freedom of the operating system – The French Towards the freedom of the operating system – The French Gendarmerie goes for Ubuntu Gendarmerie goes for Ubuntu

http://www.osor.eu/studies/docs/IDABC.OSOR.casestudy.Gendarmerie.10.pdf

On-line resourceOn-line resource

http://openoffice.blogs.com/

Are there risks in deploying Are there risks in deploying OpenOffice?OpenOffice?

• What are Oracle's plans for OpenOffice?What are Oracle's plans for OpenOffice?

• Software Improvement Group - Risks in the adoption of Software Improvement Group - Risks in the adoption of OpenOffice.org by Government InstitutionsOpenOffice.org by Government Institutions

http://www.sig.eu/blobs/Publicaties/Publicatieshttp://www.sig.eu/blobs/Publicaties/Publicaties%202010/2010%20OpenOffice.pdf %202010/2010%20OpenOffice.pdf

Should we be concerned about Should we be concerned about Microsoft in years to come?Microsoft in years to come?

Of the original Fortune 500 list of companies Of the original Fortune 500 list of companies published in 1955, only 11 are still on the published in 1955, only 11 are still on the list!list!

Where to next for OPW in terms of Where to next for OPW in terms of open source?open source?

- Consolidate and extend Open Office- Consolidate and extend Open Office

- Open Source e-mail server (Zimbra?)- Open Source e-mail server (Zimbra?)

- Ubuntu on the desktop?- Ubuntu on the desktop?

- Open Source GIS- Open Source GIS

- Open Source collaboration tool (“Teamwork” - - Open Source collaboration tool (“Teamwork” - http://www.twproject.com)?http://www.twproject.com)?

- Wordpress as an alternative to traditional Web site - Wordpress as an alternative to traditional Web site development and CMSdevelopment and CMS

ThanksThanks

Contact details: liam.stewart@opw.ieContact details: liam.stewart@opw.ie