Amazon: Linux saved us millions

[david at thekramers.net (David Kramer)]

Amazon.com says they cut their technoloy expenses by 25%, about $20
million, largely by switching to Linux:

http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news/0%2C4586%2C5098989%2C00.html


There's some really funny sections in this.  My favorite is:

<QUOTE>
But there are hidden costs to Linux, Microsoft argues. "I think a lot of
customers are lured by the apparent low price of Linux," said Doug  Miller,
director of competitive strategy for Microsoft's Windows division. "They
don't have a real issue with Linux, but it ends up costing them in the
long run."

With Linux, customers "end up being in the operating systems business,"
managing software updates and security patches while making sure the
multitude of software packages don't conflict with each other," Miller
said. "That's the job of a software vendor like Microsoft."
</QUOTE>

OK, raise your hand if you've never had a DLL conflict on your Windows
box.   OK, now raise your other hand if you've never had a service pack do
more damage than good, or had to install one service pack before
installing another service pack or software. (sound of crickets in the
background)