alaskaflyer said:
Ya know, everyone says that and, once upon a time, I did as well. Overall, though, they've got decent quality products out today that are stable, almost world standard, and relatively low cost.
Yes, I've got Linux running, too. But for all the configuration and researching I had to do to get the software up and running, I could have been done in 1/4 of the time running MS2003 Server and IIS 6.x with a $50 firewall in front of it. Not to mention drivers and hardware issues.
I've got XP Pro workstations talking to MS servers running IIS, ASP, SQL, Exchange, etc.. I've got PDAs and PDA phones getting e-mail via wireless and cellular. I've got VPN clients with executives traveling all over the country with no issues connecting from just about anywhere (including Starbucks). I have users accessing our network from home, work, on the road, even in the air (I don't want to know how much that one cost). All of them connect seamlessly in a secure environment and can do their job without trying to figure out what they have access to and what doesn't work from where they are at.
And all of it is Microsoft. And until tomorrow, all of it is run by just me. New tech starts tomorrow so he can take some day-to-day stuff and I can concentrate on more 'stuff'.