attention is the range of file types that are used company wide. In order to avoid 

the possibility of inaccessible files or content, it is very reasonable to make a list 

of all types, and then identify applications or migration paths that guarantee the 

usability on the new system.

3.1.3  End user survey

The task of an end user survey can take a lot of time, but is also very reasonable, 

as you get insights into the user point of view. This can help you discover how 

end users use the systems and what is important to them.

Another important issue you can learn about by this survey is the existence of 

applications or other items that are not listed in the software catalog of a 

company. Sometimes users have built templates or databases on their own, 

which are very useful to them, or they have installed applications that are 

necessary for their work requirements.

3.2  Establishing functional continuity

This chapter includes methods that help to retain the functions of existing 

applications. After the migration, users in most cases will have to switch to 

different but functionally equivalent applications. In order to bridge this gap, 

which can result in a loss of productivity, it is useful to develop a strategy in which 

users get accustomed to the new applications. 

3.2.1  Bridging applications

Some applications that run natively on Linux are also available natively for 

Windows. These applications provide an opportunity to minimize the transition 

effects and retraining requirements that are triggered by an operating system 

migration to Linux. Thus it is possible to migrate to applications that will be 

supported on the Linux platform prior to actual migration of the OS itself. 

The benefit of such pre migration changes is that the users are allowed to get 

accustomed to the new applications before the actual migration of the client OS 

is done.

After the new OS is installed, the users will not experience any change at all as 

far the applications are concerned, making the switch easier.

Table 3 2 on page 31 provides examples of applications that could be used as 

 bridging  applications between Microsoft Windows and Linux. Applications listed 

in the second column could be deployed on existing clients running MS 

Windows, thus allowing for application migration to occur prior to OS migration.

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Linux Client Migration Cookbook   A Practical Planning and Implementation Guide for Migrating to Desktop Linux