Thanks guys,
The links to Linux specific software I have already visited.
I have a copy of an Australian made accounting package for Windows, that
is aimed specifically at very small to small businesses (i.e. 1 to 20
persons employed).
This package is called Mind Your Own Business, MYOB for short. It has
become largely the default software in this country for good reasons. It
is simple to use. It does what is needed by small businesses. It is
geared to local tax and other laws.
<snip>
> My opinion is that people need a true
> Linux alternative to Quickbooks that is like Open Office versus
> MS (up-your) Orifice.
>
Exactly.
And this would be no mean feat to achieve.
One of the things that commercial Windows/Mac software does is to make
aspects of their packages fit with local requirements. This has the
effect of making setting up and operating the software easy. Tax rates
are automatically calculated etc. The convenient result of this is that
should some local condition or regulation change, then the owners can
charge for an 'upgrade' to cover the new requirements.
What I was looking for is software not aimed at B.H.P.-Billitin or the
Ford Motor Company, but your average local Bill butcher, Betty baker or
Clay clockmaker. A package that met the requirements of little
enterprises such as these would be quite an achievement, because it
would need to be easily customisable to take into consideration all
local needs across the globe. One needs to keep in mind that the local
panel beater or whatever isn't interested in accounting. They want to
get on with their business. So do I. I don't want to have to have a
working knowledge of the esoterica of tax law. I want to fix clocks and
make some dollars.
Should such a thing be achievable, (accounting software, not making
dollars, although that would be nice too) I believe it would go a very
long way to improving the lot of the Linux world. For every one big
business, there are thousands of small ones. Open Office covers a lot of
small business requirements. To close the circle, and have small
business operators switch from the big two O/s's to Linux, an easy to
use accounting package is really needed. Suggesting that they ditch
Windows, just to reinstall it virtually so their accounting package will
run, thus adding another layer of complexity to the bookwork side of
business just isn't going to appeal.
For very small operators such as myself, another thing that would sway
me to using a Linux system for business is the ability to avoid start-up
and ongoing 'upgrade' costs. Already Linux offers this wonderful
incentive for many packages.
Just picture in your minds eye the panic of M/S and commercial business
software sellers if the Linux World could offer a complete small
business operating environment. Especially if it were available free or
very low cost. This, coupled with Linux's stability and inbuilt security
would motivate small business operators (and their accountants) to
migrate in droves. A fantastic opportunity for exposure for the
up-and-coming and IMHO better, operating system.
The only other thing that comes to mind would be portability of files.
Too often documents or files aren't completely exportable into formats
that another software package can easily recognise. It would be a great
benefit if I could put my accounting records onto a thumb drive, or
email them to the accountant knowing that there won't be a cardiac
arrest sized tax bill because of a formatting difference.
Clay.
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