Not such a no-brainer for some. Although savings may come in the long run with OSS, it costs money for most businesses to migrate platforms no matter what they're coming from or going to. With a recession, they might be more worried about spending the money they have right now rather than long-term savings.
Other than the original licensing for the ESX 3.5, ZERO software cost.
Contrast that to the Novell/Groupwise running on 3 of the other Blades and the up coming roll-over to MS 2008 and AD.
Let’s hope Linux makes headway.
The consumer is always better off with more competition.
Changing-over to Linux is only ‘free’ if you don’t include IT staff time, and lost productivity. People tend to look for security blankets in troubled times. Doesn’t bode well for Linux. We’ll see if MS’s agreement to quit harrassing them over Windows emulation changes that any.
“Linux/Open-Source software has a real opportunity to make serious headway this year.”
Linux is Open Source. But, that is not to say that that all Open Source software is Linux or is for Linux.
There are, literally, 1000’s of free and Open Source software titles for Windows, as well.
Here are just a few links to some...
http://www.opensourcewindows.org/
http://osswin.sourceforge.net/
http://freshmeat.net/browse/219/
As well, keep in mind there is much free and open source software that runs on the many .nix distributions that can be run on Windows, too.
Using one of several free “virtualizing” software packages that create a “virtual” machine inside of your Windows operating system, you can install, run, and use anything!
My favorite is VirtualBox... http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads (Best documentation and step by step tutorials and assistance of all)
Then, there is Virtual PC...
and VMWare...
http://www.vmware.com/download/
Go forth, download, install, run! Make money and have fun!
So we've heard for the last 10+ years. This one will be no different, except in China, Russia, and Cuba, where they're forcing people to use it.