Is Windows getting more expensive?

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Let's break it down...

"firewalls" - Linux has a wide array of FREE firewalls available that can be customized as needed. And they are quite effective too...

"security appliances" - Well since Linux powers most security devices, it's not that hard to make your own with existing or off the shelf parts. Or purchasing a Linux security appliance is not that expensive if one thinks they need too. But generally an old PC with RAM and CD-ROM along with Smoothwall or IPCop and there is your appliance.

"backup software" - Again Linux comes with back-up software and better yet, because of the nature of Linux it is very easy to create a bash script, perl script and perform back-ups that way. Many of the systems I have built were setup with custom scripts that took me a couple hours to develop and about 20 minutes to tweak base on the set-up. They are kicked off by cron and have worked flawlessly the last couple years. The end user doesn't care it just works.

"Support costs" - Hmmm this is a tough one and can go either way. BUT if the admins know what they are doing, the support costs are no more than with Windows. Technically this would be a wash though, because there are variables that cannot be accounted for.

"hardware compatability options" - Not sure where you are going with this but as has been pointed out by several others and myself, with the exception of brand new non-standards compliant hardware, Linux doesn't have too many issues with hardware or drivers. And for that matter Linux runs on more hardware configurations than Windows could possibly hope to. From a wristwatch up to the worlds fastest supercomputers and everything in between. Linux runs on it.

"The one complaint I hear often is the issue of drivers." - ATi refuses to support Linux but most of their older cards work just fine with Linux generic graphics library. nVidia works great AND provides excellent drivers with full 3D support. Sound cards... no issue there. NIC's again no problems. Really the only area where drivers are an issue is with wireless. And since the companies that produce the wireless card refuse to support or even assist Linux it's not our fault. The blame lies with the wireless companies.

About the only thing that costs more for Linux than Windows is the administrator, but really that is not an issue either, since one Linux admin can support almost triple the number of systems that a Window admin can. And generally a Linux admin also knows, Unix as well as Windows. So his salary is more than justified. 1 Linux admin can replace 3 Windows admins.

So your hidden costs are not cost considerations for Linux. And if you think so then you are seriously deluded. Many of the incurred costs of systems, no matter the OS, are bogus. Something that I am seeing more an more lately are bogus or intangible costs of which do nothing for the consumer or business but feed another businesses bottom line.

Posted by: Linux User 147560   Posted on: 02/27/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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