Linux makes inroads into Microsoft's domain

[gxsaurav]

Hmm, prefer to differ. All the companies are moving not just because of saving $$$, but also the reliability and robustness (No, I am not talking about desktop at all, just the software / backend part). Opensource softwares / databases are as reliable as any other, provided the softwares are developed by experts

Yup, provided that the software is developed by expert developers. This is a case with some OSS companies such as Red Hat which makes money by the server market & services. However, that still doesn't warrant whether there solution will work transparent & compatible with the clients desktop which mostly run on Windows (Example)

If they switch all computer nodes to Linux, even they have a problem. How will they make sure there one Linux software made in say Qt will work with another linux software made in say GTK?

MS stands behind there software. Only few linux companies do that.

 

[rocket357]

MS stands behind there software. Only few linux companies do that.

I think that's inherent to the conditions under which the software is released. Honestly, if I sold a car for quite a bit of money, and the purchaser discovered a problem with the car (that I hadn't noticed or hadn't mentioned specifically to the purchaser), then I'd be inclined to assist in whatever manner I could (as long as the problem was severe enough to rate my assistance). If I gave the car away, however, it wouldn't be likely that I'd help out nearly as much.

Companies like RedHat charge hefty sums of money to provide the support they do, just like you mentioned already, gx. They get theirs...most open source projects do not, so any support is already above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak.

 

[din]

MS stands behind there software. Only few linux companies do that.

1. Are you referring OS ?

OK, if you / me come across any OS problem, what will we do ?

a. Call MS / Linux/ MAC tech support, they send a technician to our home / office immediately, solve the problem, does not charge us and goes back (very less chance)

b. We go to Thinkdigit forum lol, I mean any forum or the OS company website, if there is no internet, consult friends / other experts and solve the problem

Now, option b - same for all OS isn't it ?

2. If you meant servers

Again, just in the case of companies, people prefer Lin / other Open source servers not just coz of $$$ savings, but reliability and robustness. How come more than 80% of servers (not sure the %, atleast majority) runs on Linux or open source ? People need reliability when it comes to websites, they want sites to be up 24 / 7. And we can see from most hosting providers, Lin / Win webspace rates does not vary much.

3. If you meant softwares created for offices etc

As I mentioned in previous posts, why LIC decided to go for open source ? Why the banks, IRCTC , Kerala / Tamil Nadu / Bengal Govt goin Lin / Open Source ? Why ELCOT ? (And basic level - Thinkdigit / Chip / VT / Rimweb and all popular Indian sites / forums use php or asp ? )

a. They are all dumb (very less chance)

b. They know it saves a lot of $$$$ and the software is reliable.

We can see something like LIC or IRCTC can't run on something that is not stable / not reliable. If so, they will lose a lot of $$$.

4. Tech support

As Rocket, Mediator and din mentioned, for big companies, they need tech support, if it is Win or Lin. They need sys admins as well. So there is no difference. When some company provide an open source solution to LIC, they will provide the support as well.

Personally I am not against / in favor of any OS. But considering India, there is no doubt that Open Source / Lin will be the best solution. For US people, OS wil be like $100 or less (not a big deal) but for us, it is Rs.3500
________________________

Now, small story based on din / gx / mediator discussion lol. Very serious readers can skip this part and go to next post, as this is kinda childish.

din - I am a mason, I get Rs.150 a day, I go from a village to a city for the construction work, I need a transport slution, please help me.

gx - get a taxi man, full comfort, good interiors, cd player and may be A/ C too.

din - OK, OK, but cost ?

gx - only Rs.125

din - sir, I can't afford it, I get Rs.150 only

gx - hmm, lemme think. Ok, do one thing, you get a small car as taxi (stripped down ), it will cost you only Rs.100. there wil not be CD player, no A/C

mediator - man, go by bus, you have to spend Rs.10 ! And may be you can learn how the driver manage the journey

din - sir, now if the car / bus has any problem, how can i continue journey to city ?

gx, mediator - oh man, listen, there are people called repairing guys. They will come and repair it. you need not worry on that.

End of the story.

 

[Garbage]

^^ lolz..

 

[vaithy]

Hello,

I am basically a accounting guy.. My organization use Windows 2000 server with clients. and applications for this are bought from different sources for various jobs but basically all use Oracle MsSQL combine and other applications (ERP)are simply don't talk them selves.. this need frequent modifications. Our rival organisation use Redhat and applications are entirely build by thier IT team with the consultations of Redhat...
Whenever the new services are introduced they are the one to quick to modify the system and their billing, where as we couldn't do as the applications are to be modified by the Vendors only ( like all Windows based Licenses) and it take six months time to modify it, and when we are ready the customers are not, they already shifted their loyalty to other services providers..
Now my bosses are impressed with Vista supplied machines to their desks, and seriously ordering for the up gradation...
Imagine the financial and other impact on the struggling organisation..
We are the PSU and my calculation for the Chennai city alone is given below
30 servers= Running in Windows -2000 ,SQL with Oracle 8i , Office suit with Norton Antivirus, and other ERP applications, billing softwares ( one is purchased from German by paying crores for licenese)
400 - cllients running in windows 2000 clients, with client application for the above mentioned client softwares licensed from the MNC vendors which is not easily customised to Indian conditions,and 100 thin clients...

Now my bosses decide all of them upgraded to Vista, what will be the cost of (excluding the ERP, applications softwares) as well as the hardware requirements?( presently 10 % of it run in P-I and P-II, where as rest are P-III, and P-IV)( I dont want to think about the all India as I lack exact data)


Thanking you