Re: Low/No Cost Unix

[Joseph S D Yao <jsdy@gwyn.tux.org>]

Another discussion into the middle of which I'm jumping ...

>    I use Linux for my six mission-critical servers. I have used Sun, SCO, 
> HP, and AIX in the past, and Linux is faster, more robust, and far 
> better supported than any those. In fact, if it cost $$$$ I would buy it 
> without hesitation. 
> 
>    As my Aunt Rose used to say, "Don't judge a book by its pricetag!"
> 
> --Bill (who measures his uptime in MONTHS)

Echoed by hundreds of thousands who measure their uptime in years.  Odd
arguments Scott Williams uses ...

> At 10:25 AM 2/23/98 -0600, Scott Williams spake:
> >Yes, I've seen several versions of Free BSD, Linux, etc. It really boils down 
> >to what the corporate structure is willing to trust. ...

Well, this is quite true.  But the knowledgeable S.A. can inform the
corporate structure.

> >						    ... I know, as an SA, I would 
> >never reccommend Linux or some other free OS to be used in my shop. ...

Their misfortune.  Open Source OSes have many more people doing QC than
any vendor can afford to have.

> >						   ... Can I call up a team of 
> >engineers at Red Hat if I have a problem? ...

Yes, of course.  Why, have you tried and ever had problems?  I've heard
of none.  As opposed to shops such as Sun and Microsoft, where you can
spend days or weeks on the 'phone [most of it on hold], and still not
been able to find anyone who knows anything about your problem.

Not to mention, since these are Open Source systems, your help is not
limited to a ["a"!!!] vendor.  Everyone who has the system has access to
the sources, and is a potential source of help.  Have you seen the
latest surveys on what system has the BEST support network?  Linux!

Joe Yao				jsdy@tux.org - Joseph S. D. Yao