"Tired of doing Windows? Well, there might be no better
time than now to consider a pure Linux environment.
The flat economy, rising software costs, shrinking technology
budgets, and Microsoft's licensing and pricing gambles with Windows
XP and .Net services have many SMB customers clamoring to solution
providers for inexpensive alternatives. Although Linux's corporate
inroads have primarily been on the server front and questions
remain about the profitability of a Linux-powered desktop, a select
few solution providers are already closing deals and reaping
rewards from selling Linux-based solutions.
To get a firsthand look at the viability of a "Windows-free"
solution, the CRN Test Center built a Linux network consisting of a
server and five workstations running various distributions of
Linux. The goal was to create a reliable network that could be used
in a typical small-business environment."
