Quote:
Originally posted by Shuie
A computer is a tool for me. I don’t have an attachment to any specific brand or OS. Honestly, I don’t have any experience with the Mac stuff. All I know is that they look neat and are expensive. I’ve heard they are the cat’s ass for music, video, and graphics. I’ve never heard anyone endorse them outside of these 3 things.
We are looking at the possibility if ditching most of our Microsoft products in the future at my work. It’s more of an effort to cut costs (software licenses) than anything else. The current thinking is that Linux and Open Office and Mozilla can do 90% of what we need to do.
We run our distributed web based HR/Payroll system on NT servers using a Microsoft SQL server back end. This is something that we do not think we can change. UNIX/Oracle is the closest thing to a reasonable alternative for the app we are running this system on and we don’t have the resources to go this route.
I’m asking this because I honestly don’t know. How practical is a Mac based system for distributing a web based application that runs on a large database? Is the server technology available on a Mac to run a 250 seat network where the client machines are distributed between RAS connections, VPNs, and other remote sites throughout the country?
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I don't know the complete answer to your question but I can give this advice. Go with the operating system that is most productive for you and your company. The cost of the actual software shouldn't be the biggest deal. Linux can cost just as much or more to support as a microsoft product be it in hardware or support and labor. I'm not knocking either one; I use both in my work and they both have a place (though my opinion is that I COULD replace all the windows servers and be very happy. Mac's new OS X has a lot of server side support for web based apps and databases so it is a possibility but if you don't have the know-how already on hand you'll need to get it by doing (trial and error) or by hiring someone who knows. If you already have a welll running MS shop with the know how on hand maybe reevaluating your current network strategy is more appropriate than a forklift upgrade.