Why Not Windows?

I don't think that a homogeneous environment like JetBlue's saves money in the long run. The fact is that some platforms are better, and therefore more cost effective, at certain things that other platforms. For instance, Mac OSX is great for web development, desktop publishing, and general use, whereas Linux is stronger on servers because it has been more refined for that purpose.

Running everything on Windows seems great to the CIO and CEO, because that's what they use on their laptop and they don't want anything else. But companies that know about reliability use Linux, or AS/400, or Solaris, or BSD. Or a mix of all of them, because each has its inherent advantages depending on the application.

Windows is most popular for enterprise desktops because it is cheap to administer. It's cheap because people that specialize in it are a dime a dozen. In fact, the barrier to entry is so low that the field abounds with amateurs. And by this I mean those who may even know a great deal about Windows, but are not well-versed in other key aspects of the IT world, such as testing, documentation, software design, making backups, communicating effectively through email and creating networks (to name just a few items off the top of my head). For every professional that specializes in Windows, there are 100 amateurs.

I've found that those who become professional IT workers begin to realize that Windows isn't the best platform on which to pursue their goals. They then become familiar with other platforms, and their value increases.

Experienced IT workers can run a Windows-only shop as they would any other: with well-tested, documented configurations, properly backed up, with a network that can be expanded without downtime, and users that get the answers they need without tearing their hair out (for instance).

However, when you try to run a cheap IT shop by hiring cheap IT workers, you will end up systems that crash. You end up with two or three enormous servers doing everything because it's nice and cheap to keep it going. And when one of those servers goes down, a proportionately large amount of your customers will be unhappy. While it may be cheaper to buy one enormous server instead of a few big servers, remember: you get what you pay for.

My story: I have been using Windows since 1993 (and DOS well before that). I started playing with Linux in 1995, and started using it on servers in 1998. I've administered Windows servers, deployed Windows workstations, designed and built networks, run cables, supported users, managed traditional and IP PBX systems, and written software for DOS, Windows, Linux, and a number of applications that I'd rather forget.

I became a Mac user about two years ago, and I currently administer Linux and Mac servers.