Microsoft: Linux isn't cheaper

The latest study, conducted by BearingPoint, found that even looking at only the "hard costs" of licensing and support, Windows Server 2003 was often cheaper than Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell/SUSE Linux.

"While the acquisition costs associated with licensing and support should be evaluated, this study has found after comparing the cumulative costs within medium and enterprise scenarios over a five year period that those costs do not significantly differentiate Windows Server 2003, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 or Novell/SUSE Linux 8," BearingPoint said in the conclusion of its report.

• Related stories

• Alerts

Add your opinion

All the lies, half truths and ...Anonymous -- 27/05/04

All the lies, half truths and statistics provided to back up MS claims of being cheaper than Linux are well known of the community. Anybody who takes the time and effort to scrutinize MS arguments will soon realize what bullshit the company is talking.

First MS ignored Linux.
Then they laughed at Linux.
Then they rediculed the whole concept.
Now they are fighting Linux with every
dirty trick in the business.
What comes next?

How can MS know how many downloads I make and which distribution I'm using? How can they or anybody else know in how many servers and/or desktops I then install the software? All without
violating anybodys intellectual property rights!

What research?
What studies?
What sales?
What revenues?
Which distribution?

When MS can clearly explain and answer questions above I might believe their claims.

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

I got the facts... In my exper ...Anonymous -- 27/05/04

I got the facts...

In my experience Linux is 1/100 of the cost of Windows...

Until Microsoft can put have Windows for less than the cost of burned CDs I won't believe them..

Come on... Put up or shut up...

MarkP

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

I was just thinking, MS charge ...Anonymous -- 27/05/04

I was just thinking, MS charges for Windows, MS charges for Office.

Now Look at Linux. Linux can be obtained for a signifcatly lower cost than windows and has everything you need, plus you can get Openoffice as a free download.

So, what are MS talking about !!!

Just MS up to its dirty tricks agin

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

Trying to be un biased I would ...Anonymous -- 27/05/04

Trying to be un biased I would like to point out that Linux is a brilliant product considering it is one of the biggest "Frankesteins" of software in the world. It has lots of brillian intentions BUT it is only for technical or engineering users.
The person at home or work in an office environment is far from getting things going.
THe costs of MEN HOURS to implement server solutions writting command line are not only expensive labour wise but also if that person dies no one in the company can do things.
On a Windows environment system at least there are far better chances to train someone due to the REAL EXISTANCE of GUI.
Try to set up a mail server in Linux with more than 200 mail boxes. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!! THe money will be gone in men hours again.
Try to set up a Wireless LAN with Linux...........are you a programmer??????? Sorry if you aren't kiis it good bye!!!!.

Microsoft needs to STOP robbing with the charges, yes there are too high.........BUT Windows 2003 Server family is a BLODDY BRILLIANT PRODUCT.

By the way WHY there are so many commercial antivirus products for Linux now?????? Just to what.......... www.linux.org. Have a look I am not making it up.

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

I beg to differ. I'm an offic ...Anonymous -- 28/05/04

I beg to differ. I'm an office worker who graduated with a Nutritional Science degree. (I wouldn't call that techincal) I now work as an analyst and moved myself from Windows to SuSE Linux in February of this year. The new environment (I'm running XD2 on top of SuSE Linux) didn't take long to acclimate to. I was able to easily use Red Carpet to download all of my applications from our corporate mirror server. (we use GroupWise and GroupWise instant messenger) OpenOffice was already installed on XD2 and I've found it to be a suitable replacement for MS Office. It was also nice to see that the default instant messenger, GAIM, has AOL, MSIM, and GWIM plugins. Over the past few months I've been pleased to find that using Mozilla Firefox I no longer have to deal with annoying popups or spyware. It has also been fun to watch the Windows users scrambling to keep on top of updates. A few of them that had both their antivirus and Windows updates set to update automatically have had worms in the last few months that have broken in and disabled the antivirus software. They had to wipe their harddrives and start over. It's been nice to put those days behind me.

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

There are so many commercial a ...Anonymous -- 28/05/04

There are so many commercial antivirus products for Linux now because a lot of poeple use it as a mailserver in a windows office.
And it is better to get you virus out of there before it is on your windows desktop, isn't it ?

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

Microsoft can also prove night ...Anonymous -- 30/05/04

Microsoft can also prove night is day, black is white, and IE is secure if they just pay enough companies enough money to say it's so. After all.. they're already paying someone to 'sue Linux' and slander Linus. (or paying someone to pay someone...) They own half the media, write the software that collects US election votes and Bill is a great buddy of George Junior. What else do you expect?

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

F.U.D. - all over again. When ...Anonymous -- 13/06/04

F.U.D. - all over again. When is Microsoft going to wake up and smell the coffee? All giants get knocked down and their time is coming. Let them pick up all the patents and whatever else they like - they're going to face the public sometime - in a truthful way, not in the usual manner they're dictating to the world now.

• Reply to comment
• Reply to story
• Report offensive content

• Just In

• Most Popular

• Most Discussed

Reader Services

Popular Topics

Essentials