Your assertion that NT Server is unstable under heavy loads is probably more true than not. I was once involved in a conversion from NetWare to NT Server. DRT Systems managed the project, and Microsoft was also directly involved. One of Microsoft's senior salesman in the Houston office basically told management exactly what they wanted to hear: that NT Server could do anything and would easily meet our server computing needs.
An MCSE guru from DRT built the replacement server. They installed Exchange Server (with Internet Mail Connector), SQL Server, Seagate Backup Exec, Bind DNS, Remote Access Server, a sixteen port Digi-board, and file and printer sharing. The box was also multi-homed and configured for RIP (we had two token-ring subnets). It was the only (and primary) domain controller on the network. Microsoft said that the computer could handle the load no problem.
In reality, the server was not reliable. It generated a blue screen of death at least once per week. We also later figured out that the SQL Server was not responding quickly enough to client requests, which in turn caused DRT's custom (read expensive) Visual Basic application to crash. Don't even ask about all the print jobs that would get stuck in the NT print queues.
You'll never guess who DRT blamed for the dismal performance of the NT Server.
My recommendation to those involved in conversions to Microsoft server software is to put all equipment and software through an acid test before deploying it in a production environment. (Note that I wasn't given this chance; the siren song Microsoft played lulled management into a stupor.) Otherwise, prepare for big trouble and possible job loss.
The Janet Reno Dance Club is asking for YOUR help. The Dept. of Justice must select new company names for the Baby Bills. Do your part and cast a vote! Carefully read each item and select from the following choices:
Office Baby Bill a. BorgHive. b. BorgHive. c. BorgHive. d. Other: BorgHive.
Windows Baby Bill a. BorgHive. b. BorgHive. c. BorgHive. d. Other: BorgHive.
Internet Baby Bill a. BorgHive. b. BorgHive. c. BorgHive. d. Other: BorgHive.
Cast your vote now and you qualify for a SPECIAL offer! Receive an autographed copy of Janet's Elian Does Merengue with a Gun in His Face Dance CD! Sowhattayawaitinfor!!! VOTE!!!
zdnet's article was a blatant attempt to get people to register on zdnet. The only way you can talkback to the author is to register, and of course, your responses are subject to censorship by one of their jackbooted editors.
Do you put valuables out of sight when you leave your car parked in public? Do you have a hidden key for your house/car, and if you really believe that obscurity doesn't work, why is it hidden?
This doesn't always hold true. The fact that I can see the Hope diamond in a display case doesn't make it easier to steal. Same goes for all those fancy paintings on display at that hotel in Vegas. A friend once had a truck that had been bullet-proofed; the layers of glass were so thick it would probably take several hours to pound your way through them.
If your operating system is already built like a fortress, you don't have much to worry about. The problem with proprietary software is that you don't have any way to look at your fortress; you rely upon the vendor's descriptions. How are you gonna find its weaknesses?
Amen! Market share doesn't mean squat to me either. In a twisted sort of way Microsoft is actually making my business easier. The more they charge for a Windows 2000 license, the less money that my competitors will be able to allocate to application development and programming, things that matter.
I also hope that Microsoft slaps new restrictions on the licenses. For instance, when my competitors merge, it would be way cool if they could not legally transfer the licenses to the new entity. The fact that they would have to repurchase same gives me a big rush.
I also want to recognize the brilliant marketing and sales forces of Microsoft. That you guys can persuade my competitors to pay for software that can be had for free blows my mind. I wish you continued success, and please jack up your fees and make your licenses more restrictive. Every little bit helps!
Aren't most dot-com investors betting on future profits, and how long are they willing to wait? When they begin to lose patience, you will probably see some correction. It's the same old story: tortoise vs. hare, or value-investing vs. dotcom-mania. Or, call it Warren Buffet's revenge. (I'm dying to see the market's response to the outcome of the MS antitrust case.)
It seems to me that the high price per share of VA Linux is more a function of supply and demand than of value. Same goes for RedHat. There just isn't much stock available, and there are plenty of people who want to get in on the action no matter the cost.
FYI, I'm not too worried about the fact that VA Linux bought Andover.net. The Internet is a big place, and there are other places to read the news and to discuss events. If slashdot shows signs of rigormortis, others will replace it. There are too many intelligent and outspoken readers following slashdot for this not to happen. This will keep Rob and the others on their toes.
Slashdot Mirror
Your assertion that NT Server is unstable under heavy loads is probably more true than not. I was once involved in a conversion from NetWare to NT Server. DRT Systems managed the project, and Microsoft was also directly involved. One of Microsoft's senior salesman in the Houston office basically told management exactly what they wanted to hear: that NT Server could do anything and would easily meet our server computing needs.
An MCSE guru from DRT built the replacement server. They installed Exchange Server (with Internet Mail Connector), SQL Server, Seagate Backup Exec, Bind DNS, Remote Access Server, a sixteen port Digi-board, and file and printer sharing. The box was also multi-homed and configured for RIP (we had two token-ring subnets). It was the only (and primary) domain controller on the network. Microsoft said that the computer could handle the load no problem.
In reality, the server was not reliable. It generated a blue screen of death at least once per week. We also later figured out that the SQL Server was not responding quickly enough to client requests, which in turn caused DRT's custom (read expensive) Visual Basic application to crash. Don't even ask about all the print jobs that would get stuck in the NT print queues.
You'll never guess who DRT blamed for the dismal performance of the NT Server.
My recommendation to those involved in conversions to Microsoft server software is to put all equipment and software through an acid test before deploying it in a production environment. (Note that I wasn't given this chance; the siren song Microsoft played lulled management into a stupor.) Otherwise, prepare for big trouble and possible job loss.
Rehash: Unix is not Natalie Portman. Duh!
The Janet Reno Dance Club is asking for YOUR help. The Dept. of Justice must select new company names for the Baby Bills. Do your part and cast a vote! Carefully read each item and select from the following choices:
Office Baby Bill
a. BorgHive.
b. BorgHive.
c. BorgHive.
d. Other: BorgHive.
Windows Baby Bill
a. BorgHive.
b. BorgHive.
c. BorgHive.
d. Other: BorgHive.
Internet Baby Bill
a. BorgHive.
b. BorgHive.
c. BorgHive.
d. Other: BorgHive.
Cast your vote now and you qualify for a SPECIAL offer! Receive an autographed copy of Janet's Elian Does Merengue with a Gun in His Face Dance CD! Sowhattayawaitinfor!!! VOTE!!!
zdnet's article was a blatant attempt to get people to register on zdnet. The only way you can talkback to the author is to register, and of course, your responses are subject to censorship by one of their jackbooted editors.
What a bunch of morons.
Do you put valuables out of sight when you leave your car parked in public? Do you have a hidden key for your house/car, and if you really believe that obscurity doesn't work, why is it hidden?
This doesn't always hold true. The fact that I can see the Hope diamond in a display case doesn't make it easier to steal. Same goes for all those fancy paintings on display at that hotel in Vegas. A friend once had a truck that had been bullet-proofed; the layers of glass were so thick it would probably take several hours to pound your way through them.
If your operating system is already built like a fortress, you don't have much to worry about. The problem with proprietary software is that you don't have any way to look at your fortress; you rely upon the vendor's descriptions. How are you gonna find its weaknesses?
Hot grits on a hot day make Mama happy.
Amen! Market share doesn't mean squat to me either. In a twisted sort of way Microsoft is actually making my business easier. The more they charge for a Windows 2000 license, the less money that my competitors will be able to allocate to application development and programming, things that matter.
I also hope that Microsoft slaps new restrictions on the licenses. For instance, when my competitors merge, it would be way cool if they could not legally transfer the licenses to the new entity. The fact that they would have to repurchase same gives me a big rush.
I also want to recognize the brilliant marketing and sales forces of Microsoft. That you guys can persuade my competitors to pay for software that can be had for free blows my mind. I wish you continued success, and please jack up your fees and make your licenses more restrictive. Every little bit helps!
Aren't most dot-com investors betting on future profits, and how long are they willing to wait? When they begin to lose patience, you will probably see some correction. It's the same old story: tortoise vs. hare, or value-investing vs. dotcom-mania. Or, call it Warren Buffet's revenge. (I'm dying to see the market's response to the outcome of the MS antitrust case.)
It seems to me that the high price per share of VA Linux is more a function of supply and demand than of value. Same goes for RedHat. There just isn't much stock available, and there are plenty of people who want to get in on the action no matter the cost.
FYI, I'm not too worried about the fact that VA Linux bought Andover.net. The Internet is a big place, and there are other places to read the news and to discuss events. If slashdot shows signs of rigormortis, others will replace it. There are too many intelligent and outspoken readers following slashdot for this not to happen. This will keep Rob and the others on their toes.