[Gllug] [OT] Support model for Linux vs M$

[Hong Chyr]

Hi all

The topic of Windows vs Linux usually end up with one argument: Windows 
have support and *most* Linux installs don't have support.

Ignoring the fact that you can get paid support from distro vendors (RH, 
SuSE) and big name vendors (IBM, HP, etc), how does it work for SOHO and 
SME?

I mean, consider the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Windows
----------------------
If I'm a system integrator, selling MS Server and XP licenses to a 
customer. Would I be responsible to provide support to my customer? Or 
can they call M$ for support?

Scenario 2: Linux
-----------------
Assuming customer opted not buy their license from RH or SuSE, and I 
came in as a Linux consultant. Setting up a whole environment for them: 
DHCP, DNS, file and print, etc plus Ubuntu clients. I would then sell my 
support service to them.

How are the 2 scenarios different? It still fall on the system 
integrator or consultant to provide support right? I'm not talking about 
large corporates with Enterprise subscription licenses to Microsoft and all.

Does it mean the TCO for SOHO and SME can be lower since they don't have 
to shell out money for Microsoft licenses? Or is that not the complete 
picture?


Hong

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