>Not trying to attack or anything, just wanted to get a feel for the depth of your opinion... How much Unix/Linux have you used/administered in the past? Just curious... With a recent distro of Linux (say, the latest SuSE) running a nice GUI (like the latest KDE), I can't imagine setting up a file/print/web server as being any more difficult than setting up something in Windows 2000. To be honest, the only thing I have found Linux to lack is desktop applications, and that doesn't really matter on the server...
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I used to work with HP-UX. The last version I worked with was 9.0. That goes back a few years. The issue with Linux - you reference - a lack of applications. Why did OS/2 flop? - A lack of apps. I don't see companies making a big investment in linux-based applications.


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So, why do you think TCO on a linux network would be so much greater, especially considering the licensing fees are very reasonable (free). Any money spent on licensing could be spent on a tech support contract, making ownership that much more trouble-free...
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With free - you get what you pay for. I don't buy into the whole open-source communal environment that is Linux. If a product is not adaquately supported - the perceived great TCO may be just a mirage..


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Anyway, I was just wondering how much you have played with this stuff so I can get a feel for where you are coming from...
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It has been a long time since I have worked with Unix. I come from the position of looking at how pervasive Windows is..