[Sussex] Exchange replacement for Linux? || and rant

[Jon Fautley]

OK... little question for you all... I need (as the title implies) a
system that runs on Linux that will replecate an exchange server. By
this, I mean it needs to support all the features of Outlook (Including
calendars/etc). Changing the client software is NOT an option - so
please don't even suggest it.

Why, I hear you cry. Well, I was forced to flatten my nice
Linux/Samba/Exim/Courier IMAP install and put exchange on our server at
work because the directors and the new team leader (who doesn't know how
to use the ping command, or the relevance of the Default Gateway on a
network) wish to use shared calendars. And Outlook. They REFUSE to use
anything else other than outlook, yet they cannot justify this view.
It took me 6 hours to setup the linux server as a PDC, and have all
machines logged on, software/users configured and all running sweet as a
nut. (2000 Pro on the workstations, btw).
Then, our bigshot team leader comes in, fresh from 'running microsoft
networks for 7 years' and starts moaning because his laptop can't logon
to the domain. Why? Well, because he's running Windoze XP. After my
little 'standardisation drive' of getting the same software on all
machines, he comes in and changes it all. Oh well, he is the boss. Then,
he has problems with outlook dropping the connection to the IMAP server
and he starts blaming 'fu*£ing opensource software' (his words - not
mine) despite the fact that it's HIS software dropping the connection -
not the IMAPd. So, he goes to the MD/Sales Director who couldn't find
their arse with two hands and a map and reccomends exchange as
opensource doesn't do the job. Despite the fact we sell it to our
clients. Hey ho.

Anyway, to cut a long rant short... the 2000 server w/exchange still
isn't configured after 3 and a half days. And it's bouncing emails. So
for 3.5 days (and prolly more) we have no email. For an IT support
company, that's pretty damn bad, imo.

Oh well.

I am *this* close to telling my employer where they can stick their job
- with pictures and all - so if anyone wants to offer me a job/contract
work dealing with a real man's OS.. PLEASE speak now :)

Cheers for listening,

Jon (off to get very, very drunk)