Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

This article is a response to the current Microsoft Small Business Server "How Does Linux Compare" advertisement-blurb on the Microsoft site (as linked on LinuxToday.)

I dont intend this repsonse to be an emotional (although I am biased towards the better product, LINUX!, ok, there I go, sorry about that) inflamed response, just a real world approach to addressing the claims in the article.

Basically the Microsoft article espouses 5 categories with overlapping themes. The overall argument is that Linux is "fragmented" and less supported than Micrososft and is therefore a worse choice for small business. I completely disagree based on reality (and again, my admitted bias is present, but distanced as much as possible for this evaluation.)

Here are the bullet points and a quick response to each:

• Thousands of compatible applications

Ok, this one is true, but how many versions of minesweeper do you really need on your "server." This one does compare when you consider applications that are important to a "small business SERVER." Consider that Microsoft even employs the open source technologies they bash; at least for servers (such as BIND dns, BSD IP stack, etc.) Applications like BIND, ISC DHCP, APACHE, MySQL, POSTGRES, FREESWAN, SENDMAIL and even SAMBA certainly compete with and far surpass the apps Microsoft mentions here. I have converted many shops (servers) to Linux simply because of the robust and stable nature of these proven open source server apps. There is no real competition between IIS and APACHE, or MS DNS and BIND, or PostGRES and SQL Server. Applications for servers are a Linux win.

• Better Integration, ease of use, stronger long term buy

Well, again I go with Linux here. Part of the Microsoft argument is a "unified setup that is efficient and predictable." Well, I would call most Microsoft setups I have done (and I have done a plethora for several major companies as an MCSE) far from unified or efficient. Yes there are buttons to click rather than commands to know, but the efficiency is falsely perceived based on service packs, hardware issues and the looming task of security on Microsoft once installed (after all of this is considered the overall efficiency is quite poor.) Again, I do not think the favor goes to Microsoft here although I will say that the installers are certainly more intuitive and "pretty."

• Popular, reliable platform - less risk

Ok this one is a VERY strong argument NOT to use Microsoft Small Biz Server. Reliability??? Reliability and Security are NOT the strong points of Microsoft and people whom are really familiar with technology are aware of that. Reliability is by far a Linux win.

• Greater Depth of channel support

Honestly I think that this area is the one where Microsoft does come out ahead in general circumstances (what, blasphemer!) What I mean is that in general there is greater support and the platform is more popular. However, there ARE real Linux support options available even from professional services companies. While MS wins this one overall, and this is important to business customers, I still feel it is far outweighed by the other benefits. Basically its easier to find Microsoft support so a company would have to look harder to find Linux support (and keep in mind the quality of the support, quality and quantity lean towards a ratio of better Linux support.) (Also note that Microsoft claims finding technology providers with Linux experience is "problematical. Hmmm, quality control seems to be slipping on even the advertisements, how does that reflect on the products!)

• keeps pace . . .

Again, this one is a monstrous win for Linux. "Keeps pace", come on, get real. Microsoft ends up adopting many open source ideas and technolgies well after they are commonplace in the Linux world. No can argue that. This one is pure obfuscation by Microsoft whom is displaying a characteristic yet offensively flagrant arrogance by even trying to suggest that Windows "keeps pace" better than Linux.

OVERALL: Small Businesses need to carefully consider the platforms that they will employ and all of the factors. Getting reliable and comprehensive support for Linux is a viable issue. However it is possible to get the needed support and with the other benefits of superior proven applications, better integration, better reliability and security and the "pace" of techology Linux overall far outperforms Microsoft Small Biz Server (and is FREE!, which is NOT an implicitly BAD thing as many IS managers ignorantly believe.)

So What do YOU Think? "Talk amongst yourselves" (via the discussion board link in the comments blurb below.)   http://www.microsoft.com/SBSERVER/productinfo/linux.htm