Amazon: Linux saved us millions

[gaf at blu.org (Jerry Feldman)]

IBM used to target the top management. But the decision makers are 
frequently the IT department managers, such as the CTO or the IT VP.  
Also, the IT department people themselves chose Windows. 
Reason:
1. they can force everyone in the company to use the same email 
program, Outlook or Outlook express because it works better with their 
[mis]exchange servers.
2. They can force everyone to use the same office tools, such as Office 
2000 or Office XP.

There is the mistaken thought that because most everyone uses 
Windows on the desktop that they can save money by using Windows 
based servers, and use the same people to manage the servers as 
manage the desktop systems. 

While I must have 2 systems on my desk because one is on a private 
net, the other must be Windows because of the mandate. 
IBM wrote the book on technical marketing. They sold a piece of junk 
called the System 360 which ran some horrible operating systems.
But, one thing that IBM did do was to support their customers. 

We've seen lately comments that AOL won't support XP or that AT&T BB 
won't support XP. That's mostly FUD. What they really mean is that 
there is not enough installed base to justify full support. As they get thier 
people trained and get the cookbooks ready they'll support XP. That also 
does not mean they won't run it.  
On 1 Nov 2001, at 16:18, John Abreau wrote:

> Perhaps "dummys" is a bit harsh. I'd say it's more a case that Microsoft's
> marketing strategy is explicitly aimed at excluding from the technology
> decision-making process the people most qualified to make technology
> decisions, i.e. the IT department. CEOs are perhaps the *least* qualified
> to make these decisions, so of course Microsoft targets their marketing
> efforts at CEOs.

Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Associate Director
Boston Linux and Unix user group
http://www.blu.org