Thanks to Matthew
Tebbens for this link.
“Everybody’s heard the buzz on Linux: Open source code makes
modification of the “freeware” operating system easy; it runs on an
array of platforms, even down to underpowered hardware like
leftover 386s; and best of all, it’s free. Or at least extremely
cheap. Since “cheap IT” historically has been an oxymoron of
colossal proportions, lowcost makes Linux – along with Apache Web
server software, the Sendmail electronic mail package and a host of
other freeware products – an attractive proposition.”
“That’s all well and good for the hobbyist running a bulletin
board or the IT worker who does sideprogramming jobs in his
off-hours at home. CIOs, however, have a different set of concerns:
stability, security and, most notably, service and support. These
concerns have thus far slowed widespread corporate acceptance of
freeware in general and Linux in particular, since an operating
system is such a vital piece of the IT puzzle.”
“But some companies are in front of the pack, already running
vital business applications on Linux and other freeware programs.
At manufacturing giant Schlumberger, for example, Linux shows up on
the occasional workgroup server. At internetworking company Cisco
Systems, the entire corporate print architecture runs on freeware.
And Web-based directory provider PlanetAll.com Inc.uses Linux and a
freeware e-mail program.”