Tom Fisher, assistant vice president at Guide One Insurance, was stung by the $10,000 price tag of the mainframe version of Linux, distributed by SuSe. "IBM was preaching that Linux was free," says Fisher. "But it's not free on the mainframe. That was a big surprise." Still, he says he avoids support fees, which can run in the tens of thousands of dollars annually, by leveraging the worldwide network of Linux developers on the Web.
Most companies measure cost not by the initial one-time purchase of hardware or software, but by what it costs over a period of years, or the total cost of ownership.
"Linux is not free when you count maintenance and support," says Aaron Barnham, vice president of operations at TMP Technologies, a unit of Monster Worldwide, which runs career Web site Monster.com. "Every company, product and Web site is different. With tech budgets tight, everybody needs to look at their true cost of ownership and determine what is the right fit."
source : http://www.forbes.com/2003/06/16/cx_ld_0616linux.html
reading this, make me feel sick, but, its reality. that is why until now, we wouldn't be getting a Linux PC. the fact that there isn't a single standard for Linux. there are many companies, including RedHat and SuSe, producing their own versions.
yup, me using debian... cool, can change anything you wish(desktop, buttons, even can put your pic on the boot frontpage!). before, got the same opinion with mr_sQew... but...well..
[musique on air] EMINEM - Superman
[forum project] updating database, adding a new module "ChatBox by Smartor".. nice, no more problem, installing yahooM! or mirc in a public pc... and.. restricted to registered user only.. =]
[at the same time]
while, we blow our head with all the math theory+farking equations, beckham, RM200,000,000 transfer to real madrid, at the KLBA Stadium in Cheras, from the moment he trooped into the stadium to the delightful screams of some 3,000 fans struck by Beckham-mania, till the time he left three hours later obliging everyone who came in contact with him with a warm handshake, hug or a smile. for the fans, presidential election for UMNO, not as intereting as beckham coming to malaysia. at the same time, DrM say; "who the heck should PakLah choose for his second man"... well.. who cares!