Simon Hobson's comment are only so true, as are many others. Unfortunately, only when a company needs to expand their resources or integrate new ones, are they able to make this sort of decision, but as always there is a cost factor. Fortunately for my client, I am also very conscious of the important element of "Cost Effective" solutions, and not simply "making a quick buck".
All my working life I have firstly looked for an alternate solution and made sure the chosen solution (Not always the cheapest) is the right one. For a number of years I have been more and more disillusioned by M$, as I always ended up spending more time than it should in getting the solution to work as it is supposed to and hence going over budget, which annoys the bean counters immensely. At last I am able to boast that we are about 80% complete with the switch away from M$ on the first site, and are below budget by a 40% margin. What this tells me, is that for the past 5 to 8 years, I myself have also fallen prey to the M$ excellent marketing project, and have not looked under the proverbial bonnet, and found it wanting. To anyone out there who might read this, and is in a position to make the decision to change, take courage from the fact that it is possible and can be done. After 20+ years in the business, at last I am getting back to a stable and working environment. What is amazing is, I can't understand why it took me about 8 years to wake up and see it! The worst thing is I know I'm not alone, there are many others out there in the same position. Sorry to take up the lists time like this, but if one organisation makes the decision to change to Open Source because of this thread, then we all have accomplished something. Thanks for listening. Eric Serik Associates Suite 246, P/Bag X6 Cascades, 3202 www.serik.co.za ---------------------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for your protection by Norton Anti Virus. In the unlikely event you still detect a virus, please send an URGENT separate email with as much information as possible about the virus so we can remove it promptly and not infect other systems. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the line: 'unsubscribe vnc-list' in the message BODY See also: http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/intouch.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------
