Midsize Businesses Not Considering Linux?

LukePieStalker writes "eWeek is running a piece about a research report which concludes that Linux is not even on the radar screen for midsize businesses. The survey involved over 1,400 executives of companies with annual revenue around $250 to $500 million. It seems that, while smaller companies may see the licensing savings as being significant, and larger companies have the expertise to manage it, bringing Linux into a midsize Windows shop creates a multiplatform organization which is prohibitively complicated and expensive to manage. Unfortunately, companies of this size comprise the bulk of American business. Quote: "Linux is free, but the support for it is not.""

Comments

Re:From TFA

[Rs_Conqueror]

Good point. Most people are used to windows, and swiching OS's on less computer literate will require training, more hunting around for the right apps, and more downtime as people get used to the new os.

Also, as much as it pains me to say this. Linux isn't free anymore.

Sure you can download free versons, but those come with no support, no updates of any kind, at it will be atleast a year behind the computer times.

Sticking with windows ensures that 80% of the software in the market will work for you, you will have automatic updates, and a relativly friendly user interface.

Sorry, but thats the way things are.

*sits down and waits for the -1 troll mod*

Some thoughts on MS vs. GNU/Linux

[O2dude]

The author of the eWeek article writes: "My conclusion: In most of American business, the supposed competition between Microsoft and Linux just doesn't exist. And with good reason."

Unfortunately, he doesn;t seem mention the right reason in his article.

Just like the author, I think it's very probable that M$ has little to fear from GNU/Linux in the Mid-size enterprise market in the near future. But I don;t believe this has anything to do with 'cost effectivity' or 'quality of software'.

At its heart M$ vs. GNU/Linux is an ideological battle. Freedom to choose and Freedom of ideas are at the heart of FOSS, not better quality software nor cost-effectivity. Most mid-size corporate entities are simply not aware of, or interested in, the issues surrounding Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Information and patent-lunacy. After all, they operate in a cultural climate that considers short-term 'shareholder value' as it's highest virtue, not unprofitable long-term stuff like ensuring a culture of openness and discourse.

This corporate mindset weakens the strongest argument for using GNU/Linux: 'Doing the right thing'. In my opinion using GNU/Linux effectively doesn't flow from TCO-style considerations. Rather, effective use of GNU/Linux stems from a Freedom-oriented mindset and such a mindset is a rare thing in Mid-size enterprises.

Put simply, M$ vs. GNU/Linux is about business ethics. And as we all know 'American Business' is not the place to go looking for that elusive quality.