If someone says they are using Windows 2000 what does that mean? Windows 2000 is a designation for a series of products not just one product. There is Windows 2000 Professional, Server and Advanced Server. And probably more to come. Now what will they call the next version of Windows 98? They can't call it Windows 2001 or 2002. Or how about Windows 01 or 02? Most likely they'll called it Windows 200x Standard or Home Edition. Also when making subversions can be irritating. There were 4 version of Windows 95. There was 95, 95A, 95B and 95C. And there is 2 versions of Windows 98 which is 98 and Second Edition. This all leads to a lot of chaos in technical support. But because Microsoft has to focus more on marketting and fooling the customer then on producing a better product. Which I think is the first sign of a company faultering.
I would probably get a Pentium III Xeon processor rather just then a Pentium III. A Xeon processor in "Intel speak" is the processor for workstation computers. It already appears your putting down some serious coin for a high end Intel workstation so you might as well go all the way and go for a Xeon. Also a Xeon processor is more in line to give you a performace boost with what you are planning to use these workstations for.
Also probably overlooked but as important. You'll need to configure Linux properly. Meaning stripping out all the unneed extras that come with most installs. I always like to recompile the kernel so I don't have any extra stuff in there too.
I don't think legal funds would be a problem. If a case comes up that is serious enough to warrant a law suit, I am sure funding would come from companies like Redhat, Caldera, VA Linux, etc, and community donations. Because these companies rely on GPL and believe in it, it would be in their best interest to protect it. I think with all that IPO money flying around they could afford it. Microsoft spent a lot more money compared to the DOJ on the anti-trust lawsuit. And by most people's oppinion the DOJ won. Money doesn't automatically determine victory. As for who would sue, probably a class action law suit from many different companies and groups. Just because nothing is set in stone at the moment doesn't mean things can't come together quickly to react to a problem.
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I don't think banks can be expected to embrace open source anytime soon. They are slow monolithic beasts. How many are still using cobol?
If someone says they are using Windows 2000 what does that mean? Windows 2000 is a designation for a series of products not just one product. There is Windows 2000 Professional, Server and Advanced Server. And probably more to come. Now what will they call the next version of Windows 98? They can't call it Windows 2001 or 2002. Or how about Windows 01 or 02? Most likely they'll called it Windows 200x Standard or Home Edition. Also when making subversions can be irritating. There were 4 version of Windows 95. There was 95, 95A, 95B and 95C. And there is 2 versions of Windows 98 which is 98 and Second Edition. This all leads to a lot of chaos in technical support. But because Microsoft has to focus more on marketting and fooling the customer then on producing a better product. Which I think is the first sign of a company faultering.
Also probably overlooked but as important. You'll need to configure Linux properly. Meaning stripping out all the unneed extras that come with most installs. I always like to recompile the kernel so I don't have any extra stuff in there too.
I don't think legal funds would be a problem. If a case comes up that is serious enough to warrant a law suit, I am sure funding would come from companies like Redhat, Caldera, VA Linux, etc, and community donations. Because these companies rely on GPL and believe in it, it would be in their best interest to protect it. I think with all that IPO money flying around they could afford it. Microsoft spent a lot more money compared to the DOJ on the anti-trust lawsuit. And by most people's oppinion the DOJ won. Money doesn't automatically determine victory. As for who would sue, probably a class action law suit from many different companies and groups. Just because nothing is set in stone at the moment doesn't mean things can't come together quickly to react to a problem.