Linux--Not Just for Cultists
From Business Week Online:
There are several inconsistencies that appear in ''It might not break Windows, but...'' (News: Analysis & Commentary, Feb. 1):
First, think about the phrase ''polished by programmers in their spare time.'' This ''time,'' if accounted for at the professional rates
these ''hobbyists'' bill, would create a staggering development figure.
Second, these ''nerds'' are available for technical support and development simply by posting issues on the Internet; this support is
provided only because of the love of the ''hobby''--try getting better, faster, free tech support from any major corporation. By
comparison, the going rate is about $150 per troubleshooting incident for a technician who may or may not solve your problem.
Third, the assertion that only ''a small group of Linux aficionados'' think Linux is viable contradicts a later fact in the same article:
17% of servers bought in 1998 run Linux. Furthermore, the implication that ''Internet access providers, Web sites, and universities''
are not valid organizations compared with, say, airlines, insults every corporation currently working to create the new economy for
the next century.
Companies for which Linux is not ''even on [the] radar'' or that think Linux is ''a cult thing'' are missing an opportunity for
increased reliability and productivity, and, as your article pointed out, dramatically reduced implementation, upgrade, and
maintenance costs.
Jim Pearson
Chief Operating Officer
Network By Design
Oakland, Calif.
I liked dogpile. Will pull the trigger on CKFR soon. |
