“For many years, Microsoft has made the case that, although Unix
costs less, enterprises ultimately pay less when they run Windows
servers — after ease of integration, the ready availability of
programming talent, and the cost of appropriate hardware are
factored in.”
“Now, as Linux gains popularity in corporate settings, that
argument is playing itself out again. Linux proponents say that an
open-source-based operating system is so much less expensive and
effective that it blows Windows out of the water. Windows
proponents, meanwhile, still contend that it’s better to stick to a
known quantity supported by hordes of existing programmers and
enterprise users.”
“If you’re still feeling uncertain about what it will cost to
make a Linux play, here’s some help. There are a logical series of
steps you can take to evaluate the real costs involved in adopting
Linux in your enterprise, which I’ve outlined below.”