Linux, UNIX, and Windows: TCO Revisited

base_chakra writes "In response to Steve Ballmer's recent, vague criticisms of Linux and UNIX vendors' product support structures and pricing schemes, I've compiled a reference chart which might help others to compare licensing and support options available from several big-name vendors. Kudos to Red Hat for having the simplest, most accessible licensing and service plan of the pack--as well as one of the most affordable!"

Comments

My personal case study.

[consolidatedbord]

I've only been working in the IT field for about 1.5 years now, but in that time I have never, ever had to call Redhat support. (Everything Just Works(tm))

I have spent about 2 hours or less on the phone with Sun support.

I have spent a whopping 20+ hours alone on the phone with Microsoft support.

Unfortunately here for Microsoft they can't use the argument that it's because they have a dominating market and the ratio of support calls to them is therefore higher. Not in my client's server rooms. The ratio of the MS to "other" operating systems installed on the servers is dead near 50/50.

Just my personal experience.