CNET: Commentary: Making the move to Linux

“Linux is typically not a low-cost alternative when
viewed from a total-cost-of-ownership perspective, because it costs
more for organizations to support it. We view IBM’s commitment to
Linux as a major factor in making the operating system a viable
alternative that can be reliably and repeatedly installed, operated
and managed on enterprise infrastructure.

Microsoft’s recent licensing and pricing changes for Windows
server deployments make perfect sense–from the point of view of a
Microsoft stockholder looking for maximum profits over the next
several years. The company is exploiting its commanding market
position to extract as much money as possible from its
customers.

However, Microsoft’s aggressive pricing is driving the momentum
of Linux. Enterprise customers are angry about the larger bite that
Microsoft is now taking out of their budgets with its latest Client
Access License pricing. If a reliable version of Linux can be used
on Web servers at a lower total cost of ownership, it will find
enterprise customers ready to listen. Whether they truly forsake
Windows or simply use Linux as a hedge and negotiating tool against
Microsoft’s pricing demands, consumers want to have some choice and
leverage. On the desktop, of course, aside from technical
workstations, there is no vendor support for Linux
deployments.”

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