when I first started working with my largest client a couple of years ago, they were in the midst of wholesale conversion of their myriad database systems (from various competitors they have purchased over the years) to a web based PHP/PERL/MySQL on Linux architecture. Corporate atitude at the time was that this was a good thing - cheaper/faster.

Since then they have noticed the vast difference in time required to get things done in their PHP/PERL/MySQL on Linux architecture versus VFP/SQL2005/ASP on Windows server 2003 architecture we used on a migration of their largest acquisitions database system from an old mainframe architecture. this was supposed to be a transitional system until all functionality and data went to the PHP/PERL/MySQL on Linux system.

Their PHP/PERL/MySQL guys have now been given official word that they are packing by end of this year (still not near done after almost 4 years). Everything is now migrating to the VFP/SQL2005/ASP on Windows server 2003 system we have built (done in 15 months - in production). Corporate attitude has done a 180 now that they have seen how a well designed, well supported, mature system costs far less and is much more adaptable in much less time (yep - it costs a few buck/seat for licenses - an extreme bargain considering time saved).

I find this to generally be the case when the rubber hits the road - lots of things sound nice and get all kinds of cool rhetoric. The bottom line is immutable in the end.


>At my last gig, a Fortune 100 at IT central, what I found most surprising is what low regard they had for Microsoft.
>
>Recently, the head of the division where I work now gave a marketing overview and talked about where he wanted his division to be. Microsoft was mentioned as to quality. In short, as a technical company that is lacking and how he does not want to compete.
>
>Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't FoxPro a clearly leading technolgoy before Bill et al got their hands on it.
>
>What's more at home on my desk is a letter from a bunch of attornies that are looking to capitalize on how they have been playing in the sandbox.
>
>Glad you like Vista.
>Glad you like Microsoft.
>
>As for me, I'll wait and see. In the mean time I am looking more and more to other technologies.