Running a business using free software
Why?
- Control over core business tools
- Rapid development
- Ability to fix bugs directly in some cases
- Self hosting
- Data protection, security and backups
Limitations
- Only discussing software used in my business, not clients
- Can't control what others use
Requirements
Most businesses need:
- Core operating system - Xubuntu
- Invoicing and credit control
- Customer and supplier database (CRM)
- Website - WordPress
- Word processing - LibreOffice
- Spreadsheets - LibreOffice
- Calendar/diary - Nextcloud + DAVx
- Email - Thunderbird or Mutt, Dovecot and Postfix/Exim, SpamAssassin for self-hosting or use Mythic Beasts
Outstanding issues
- Still need Microsoft Office to open some documents
- Scanner - Linux driver but not open source
- Label printer - Linux driver but not open source