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Yeah, I've heard that of Slackware but imo it remains insufficient as a nework client replacement for current Windows users. Companies run on employees so the computers have to be tailored to their knowledge base. Imo the 'best Linux distro' is what Shelly-down-in-accounts-receivable can operate.

The big issue I've run into talking with IT people in my area (including 3 MISs at mid-sized companies) is that their NT4 systems (inc. 98 clients) are a nightmare to operate now and they simply don't have the money for an NT5 system. Additionally, the MISs were horrified of the potential of having their databases on NT5's dynamic kernal and .Net. Another issue was the implications of the proposed changes to MS licensing next Feb. (mo' money, faster upgrading).

To be blunt, companies simply don't have this kind of money now and their NT4 systems are falling apart from security issues, malware and NT5's deployment. I had to explain to one MIS that the reason his company's software wouldn't run on a customer's new notebook was that it most likely was running 2000 or XP and they'd have to run the compatability patch/checker to see if the OS's HAL would accept their software. He said "oh, well we install our own .dlls with our software" so I had to delicately explain how NT5 deals with the installation of second-party NT4 .dlls.

From what I could tell every one of the MISs I spoke 'disliked' MS for what it was doing to their company. I.e., giving limited or no support to NT4, particularly with viruses. What's unfortuante about most IT professionals is they only know about running a computer, not a company.

You sound like you know what you're talking about. I, too, took a stab at the MCSE because I truly thought I would like it (not to mention I was really hating my job at the time). I did it for the right reasons, took my time going over the material and trying everything I could hands on. After awhile, it didn't take much to notice pretty much what this article nails down, and I sort of dropped the whole thing.

Now, I'm in another job and happier, doing the work I went to college to learn, and probably far too long in to change now. I think it was for the best and I am glad now that I stopped before I started parting with some serious money for all of the testing.

Linux distros:

Mandrake - I'm a COBOL programmer who wants to learn Linux
RedHat - I'm a Microsoft clone who wants to learn Linux.
Slackware - I like to hack kernels and compile apps (RPM's are for wimps), I am smarter than any Linux user and I can't wait to leave my job at KFC so I can play with Linux. SLACK RULEZ!