Only stories I know, and are a part of for personal experience.
1 our company uses Macs NT win2K,(no xp) and I started them on linux 3 years ago. that linux server is still runnng and 12 of th 15 macs are gone. We now have 4 linux servers. (I Just Replaced Exchange with bynari which provides the same contacts and calendaring functions as exchange for 1 10th the cost.


Three reason - just my opinions
1 Stability you just dont have to reboot, linux servers - Once you get them running they just dont break.
2 Employees who thing they can use a NT machine, once they sit down at a linux command prompt, they just walk away. and call in professionals like me. The fear factor alone adds a level of security I have had this problem with owners and department heads thinking they know about excell and since nt server looks the same, they can just use it. But once linux was installed, on those servers. They no longer even try.

3 Linux Works better with Unix. Most of the priority OS's of years past like the as 400 MPE have gone away, in favor of Unix, and now Linux. Samba on linux can hold and share files with windows desktop machines, and I dont know about you, but backing up files using Linux is to me much safer and less expensive than using overpriced /overly goodlooking, and underfeatured products backupexec.

Linux is not just hype. There are solid reasons to look in that direction, of course cost is one reason, but

To answer your question, I have seen applications which were written using delphi as a front end, and the backend server was your choice of three different servers.

Oracle
MsSql Server
Interbase.
I assume that the programmer who wrote the code, did so, using non prioiry sql statements to allow one single code base work on all three backends. I know for sure that the reason this was done, was exactally what you present. Where they didnt have a chance in hell getting a application running in an oracle only shop, or sql Server only shop. The selection of the database often times predates the selection of the application, is is often time filled with misinformation and overselling hype.
this company knew this, and rather than reselling some soltuion, they molded their desktop app, to work with whatever the the client had already in place. Or if the client was didnt have a sql type server already in place, they would install a free interbase application, and run in on a windows or linux server / whatever the IT professionals at that company wanted.

Personally I thought it was a great idea,
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But being one guy, I started my vfp's apps with a my backed being Mysql, and now moving to Postgresql, while it a little slow.
..............
I dont yet see a mass move to linux desktop/workstation useage, But I do see a real moves in that direction to get MS out of the server room, and put fewer more stable Linux Server in there.

Just my thoughts.
Bob Lee



>We recently lost a sale to a competitor, in part because the IT dept didn't like VFP. We rarely face this attitude with our customer base, but it is still a problem we want to avoid. We are currently working on a SQL Server back-end, which should help a little. But we are wondering what would have happened if we could say, "Yeah, but we can run on a Linux back-end." Of course, it depends on which group you are talking to, but in general, I think our stock would shoot way up with IT depts. Perhaps to the point where they say: "Cool. You're running on Linux? We really don't care what you run on the client."
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>I think that most IT depts fall into one of two groups: 1) They want to learn Linux, or 2) They are already using it. Is this the reality? To me, Linux still has a coolness factor, despite the FUD that is spread at times about it. Recent articles in InfoWorld and the like tell me that Linux currently garners more attention on the IT side of things than on the business application developer side.
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>So, we are thinking that quite a few IT guys will salivate for the opportunity to use Linux in a production environment, and maybe counteract the negative connotation that follows VFP. Thoughts?