Several independent analyses' and some supported by Microsoft indicate cost may be higher for a business to run Linux... thought you all might get a kick out of this.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/default.mspx

I just never trust proven liers for some strange reason.....

Cost for Linux:$0.00
Cost for office suite: $0.00
Cost for 3D rendering package: $0.00
Cost for enterprise-level DBMS: $0.00
Cost for CALs: $0.00
Cost for security patches: $0.00
Cost for development suites: $0.00
Cost for web server: $0.00
Cost for The Gimp: $0.00
Cost for kiconedit: $0.00
Cost for NLE editor (Cinelerra, Broadcast 2000): $0.00
Cost for support: internet connection

(Okay, so I will be dropping $90/seat for Suse next month, but that $90 will buy what the equivalent on Windows would run over $50K)

It'd take a LOT of training, support, and planning to cost that much per seat. Granted, I subscribe to MSDN Universal and so each development seat costs less than $3,000, but those licenses are restricted.

Hence my not upgrading my mailserver beyond Win2K/Exchange2K, and I never will. I am migrating those to Linux this year or next, as soon as a satistfactory Exchange replacement and migration tool comes into existence. M$ won't sell any more Exchange2K CALs, so I'll be turning to eBay or auctions for additional CALs should the need for more arise before we migrate. Their EULA may dictate no reselling of used CALs, but purchasers have first sale doctrine rights which no EULA can waive, so I'll be buying used CALs.

Where are the savings on Windows?

I like immunitysecs analysis much better: "Microsoft Windows, a lower total cost of 0wnership"

http://www.immunitysec.com/downloads/tc0.pdf

Well, when the report comes out of Microsoft.com, what do you expect?

They seem to be releasing such reports every few months. This shows that they feel threatened by Linux and opensource popularity.

Instead of their FUD campaign, they need to start becoming consumer-friendly again, especially their recent non-activation, no-right-of-first-sale-rights-doctrine, and gestapo-licensing policies.

I always have kept this page bookmarked so I can read it when I feel sad. It gives me a good chuckle every time...