Hi,

I've been using linux off and on for some time from older versions of slackware through suse, debian, redhat and BSD versions. I'm in no way an expert but I can proudly say that I am very good with partitioning since I've done it over and over and over.

I'm not sure why I have a love of linux. It could be the idea behind it or the fact that I've worked with Microsoft products since DOS. Currently I have two linux systems running at home, Ubuntu Breezy and Fedora 2 for the wife and kids. At work I have a couple linux firewalls in place at some of my remote sites but have been unable use it for any other projects. I'm at the point where I'd love to break linux into the workplace for file sharing / replicating but when it comes down to it I end up with windows servers. I just don't have what I feel is "enough" experiance with it to break the Microsoft mold.

I proposed a quote today for a large sum half of that was software costs. Deep down inside I want the CFO to throw it back at me to cut costs and give me the first rung of the ladder that will help me bring linux into my network.

If he doesn't, maybe next time you could work up parallel proposals, and see which he likes better. Yeah, more work in the short term, but if you like the work better, it might be worth it.

It seems to me that it isn't just cost cutting thats going to get Linux in (to the enterprise).

If you feel that you don't have enough experience with it, you should get some more hands on in managing and creating MIS for file sharing and replication. Probably get the CFO and powers that be to invest time and efort in some trials with single site replication - say. This would be a learning curve for your organisation and also serve to defer the of windoze servers.

You could also get the opinion of users at your remote locations who are existing linux firewall users.

End