> Thanks, Art - what do you do for backups to cover the NT and
> the Linux data?

The SAMBA share can be accessed by the NT server as well as the workstations, and so the NT server tape drive can be used for backups.

> A week seems like a lot of time to invest - but since we can
> pretty much give everyone in this office access to almost
> everything, I probably wouldn't have to spend much time at
> all for this one...

To say that I did nothing else during that week would be splitting hairs. The cost of the week cannot be amortized wholly on Linux configuration and "lost." Instead, that time was spent in learning and education, things that remain. So, don't think that whatever time you spend will be lost. Again, remember that time would most likely be spent configuring WHATEVER OS was installed.

> Regarding licensing, don't you already have licenses covered
> on the existing NT server?

We had enough licenses for existing users on the existing server. I could not justify the expense of purchasing an OS for the new server when I could use an open-source OS that would perform just as well.

Let's not forget what I see as advantages: the new system does not waste processor time running a GUI. It sits in a rack, in a darkened room, and does not need a GUI. In fact, because of the constant alteration of the Microsoft GUI, it seem to me an unnecessary hassle of learning where something is found within the GUI on the next version, and the next, and so on. I am essentially a programmer, and I am actually much more comfortable with typing a command to the operating system than looking for it in a hierarchy of menus. If some people are more comfortable with GUI's, then by all means let them use Gnome or pay for the Redmond solution. Let's also not preclude the fact that I am the type of person who is much more comfortable with having a choice than not. Even if having to type commands is a hassle, my psychological perception is that I am glad to have the choice so I am willing to type commands into a text console session. Let's also consider the fact that I am socialistic in my attitudes. I got this view from the US military, which provided me with free food, free housing, free medical and dental, and essentially everything I needed to exist, subsist, and do my job.

I recall the words from a song: "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." I like to be able to have a choice. This is why I selected the OS that I did.

Art
http://members.aol.com/ARTGR/