Running a business using free software

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Introduction

  • What my business does
  • Some of these tools are for personal use as well, e.g. calendar sync

Why?

  • Control over core business tools
  • Have seen proprietary business tools disappear suddenly
  • 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 - usually Word documents that have been perfectly laid out to fit on X pages, or spreadsheets with macros
  • Scanner - Linux driver but not open source
  • Label printer - Linux driver but not open source
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