Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Deciding Between SCO and Linux?

Posted by Cliff on from the SCO'd-out-yet dept.

wolfbane01 asks: "I spend some time giving tech suggestions to a medium sized business firm (~100 employees) with a large amount of demand placed on their file server. Their current server is a dual Pentium 500 with RAID array and they are looking to upgrade it. The dilemma is the current server OS is running SCO OpenServer 5.0.5, and their new raid array requires 5.0.7. Their programmers have demonstrated that a Linux box can process records much faster, but are still worried about the investment and potential problems that switching OSes would entail. I have already mentioned the cheaper price and the community availability when problems come up, but what other reasons have Slashdot readers come up with for a switch? What arguments am I forgetting that make Linux more attractive then SCO? Should I advise against switching to Linux and advocate them sticking to SCO? Is SCO going to even be in business long enough to make the upgrades product cycle?"

14 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. Simple by alph0ns3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Tell them if they choose SCO, _I_ will come to kill them.

  2. I suggest you go for SCO! by BigBadDude · · Score: 4, Funny


    well, the new Linux kernel 2.6 has support for:
    [fill in 95% of all hardware on the market]

    BUT, the SCO OpenServer is much better:

    1. it is based on the UNIX v7 source. hell, it _is_ the UNIX v7 code.
    2. comes with a nice 1000 page EULA (that premits SCO to take your wife and kill your dog at time of their choice).

    I say, go with a winner, go SCO!

    1. Re:I suggest you go for SCO! by crazyphilman · · Score: 2, Funny

      "2. comes with a nice 1000 page EULA (that premits SCO to take your wife and kill your dog at time of their choice)."

      But, wait! Given your comment marked #2 above, we can't just "go for SCO"! We have to implement the following branching structure:

      if(wife.IsHot()){

      goWithSco.Decision = "Fuck, no!";

      }else if(wife.likesOral()){

      if(wife.doesntBite()||wife.swallows()){

      goWithSco.Decision = "Aw, HELLZ no!!!";

      }else{

      goWithSco.Decision = "Maybe";

      }

      }else if(wife.isADog){

      if(wife.isANympho()){

      if(wife.isARealDogWoofWoof()){

      goWithSco.Decision = "Maybe. Tell ya tomorrow";

      }else{

      goWithSco.Decision = "Nah. I'll keep the wife.";

      }
      }else if(wife.isCool()){

      goWithSco.Decision = "Nah, I'll keep the wife.";

      }else {

      goWithSco.Decision = "Maybe.";

      }

      }else if(dog.isAGoodDog()){

      goWithSco.Decision = "Nah, I like my dog.";

      } else {

      goWithSco.Decision = "Maybe, but only if you take the wife and dog NOW.";

      }

      See? You have to think these decisions through. ;)

      --
      Farewell! It's been a fine buncha years!
  3. so now we know! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    you are the guy that purchased the single OpenServer license SCO sold between 1999 and 2003?

    shame on you for supporting the terrorists!

  4. Easy... by (H)elix1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have already mentioned the cheaper price and the community availability when problems come up, but what other reasons have Slashdot readers come up with for a switch?

    I'd recommend sabotage. With little effort, you can ensure the SCO specific hardware never really works right. Putting the RAID card in the microwave for a few seconds seems to work.

    Am I missing the question??

    --
    +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
  5. Re:Here are some good reasons... by Phleg · · Score: 4, Funny

    Linux has Tux, the cute/cool little mascot. What does SCO have?

    A cadre of menacing lawyers?

    --
    No comment.
  6. same thing? by farnsworth · · Score: 3, Funny
    Deciding Between SCO and Linux?

    I read somewhere that they are the same thing. right?

    --

    There aint no pancake so thin it doesn't have two sides.

  7. It's obvious, really... by joto · · Score: 4, Funny
    I think the answer to your question is quite clear to anyone of the many distinguished gentlemen who frequent this stimulating electronic forum we call slashdot.

    SCO is a professional secure, and most importantly real unix, based on the original unix source code. Sometimes hobbyist projects such as fetchmail and linux can be used as cheaper alternatives to professional software, if you are a student or someone else with lots of time and no money. But for a succesfull american corporation, you will quickly find out that you need the real stuff if you are to succesfully compete in todays difficult marketplace.

    Throughout the computer industry, SCO is commonly recognized as the best unix out there, and as the forthcoming lawsuit will show, probably the only legal. There are companies, such as IBM, Sun, SGI, and others, that have their own version of unix, but their unixes are nothing but cheap off-shoots from the original SCO source code, and their legality is certainly questionable. Some of these companies are even founded by famous hackers, such as Bill Joy.

    Switching to linux may be the worst of all possible alternatives. While it is possible that other companies, such as IBM or Sun will be able to license the original unix source code, there seems to be no hope for the linux community to come up with the money needed for that. Among those with knowledge and an interest in the forthcoming SCO trial, there is no doubt that linux will probably become not just unavailable, but it will most likely be a federal offense. Betting on linux in these times, is as stupid as not accepting jesus and the lord as your savior.

    I think that by betting on SCO, you are putting your money on a real winner! There is no doubt that SCO will continue to dominate the marketplace for as long as we can predict the future. Nevertheless, SCO is still pretty old technology. If you some day bring your kids to work, they will be frustrated by the lack of modern games on your server system. If this is a thought that bothers you, I would recommend upgrading to the industry-standard Windows 2000 system, surely a system for a new millenium!

  8. Re:Here are some good reasons... by Colonel+Panic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Linux has Tux, the cute/cool little mascot. What does SCO have?

    SCO has that cute Mickey Mouse ear logo... Hey, wait, does Disney know about that? Maybe someone ought to tell them.

  9. Re:Well... by DrSkwid · · Score: 2, Funny

    several of their board got convicted for crap like that.)..

    and then went on to form IBM

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  10. Wrong place to ask by BenjyD · · Score: 5, Funny

    Future AskSlashdot questions:

    - I'm thinking about donating some money to charity. Should I give it to the FSF or Al Queda?
    - I currently work for Satan but I'm thinking of quitting and working for God. What does Slashdot think?

  11. Re:Here are some good reasons... by shadowbearer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't be too proud of this litigational terror you've constructed, SCO. The ability to file a lawsuit is insignificant next to the power of the Men In Blue.

    SB

    --
    It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
  12. WTF? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're asking whether SCO is a good idea on the

    BIGGEST
    SCO-HATING
    SITE
    OF
    THEM
    ALL?

    I think SCO is a close 2nd to Microsoft on the "least wanted" list here. Dumbass.

  13. Re:Since you're using Intel hardware... by boogahboogah · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ahhh, Mr Gates, I was wondering when you would show up here on slashdot !