[NTLUG:Discuss] red hat server revisited

[MontyS@videopost.com]

I hate to bring this up again...

For the last year (yes, year) my company has been contemplating installing a
database solution for one of our non-microsoft applications.  The
application vendor indicated that the linux/oracle solution would be
appropriate, although they prefer the Windows Server/Microsoft sql server.

After looking at the options, it appeared that the Red Hat Advanced
Server/Oracle 9i database was the way to go.  Much of this decision was
based on price.  This is before Red Hat changed their structure and pricing
policy.

I just called Red Hat to get the purchasing information.  According to the
phone call, the Red Hat server products are now based on a yearly
"subscription".  The price for the subscription is the same as the full
price of the software, currently $1499.00 (x86).  Windows 2003 with 30 CALs
cost $1792.00 (www.pcmall.com).  This $1792.00 appears to be a one-time
cost, as opposed to a yearly charge.

What do you'all recommend I do?  Am I missing something?  I don't have to be
sold on the fact that *nix is a better and more flexible operating system
than Windows.  However, I must admit our Windows NT server has been quite
stable over the 6+ years we have had it.  All of these servers reside behind
a firewall, which helps with security concerns as well.

I don't think I can get management to go along with Fedora, especially since
I have been campaigning for over a year for Red Hat Linux.

Am I missing something?  I guess I could look at SuSE, but with Novell's
recent purchase of them, I am a little gun shy there as well.

Please tell me I am missing something.

As always, thanks for you time and help.

Monty

montys at videopost.com