Forget that it's free. You can make money with Linux.
By Rich Santalesa & David A. Harvey, Sm@rt Reseller
Where we do agree is that Linux is a pretty nifty OS. We're running it in both our offices. If you still haven't dipped a toe into the Linux waters, you're in for a pleasant surprise. The latest RedHat 5.1 release is incredibly easy to install compared with previous incarnations by Red Hat, Caldera and others. True, you should stick close to the hardware-compatibility list; but that list is broad enough (and getting broader) and includes a sampling of currently shipping systems. One of the great things about Linux is its chameleonlike ability to fit in anywhere, with nearly any type of data, which gives resellers a fantastic tool. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of operating systems. You can stick a Linux server into just about any network, and it'll quickly and reliably begin performing. And when it comes to robustness, it's a champ. But unless you've experienced this OS firsthand, and dug into its docs, you've probably missed some of the details. For instance, Linux is a full multitasking, multithreaded, multiuser (no need for expensive per-client licenses) OS that supports multiple processors on Intel-based and Sparc-based systems. The best part, though, is Linux's flexibility. Want Mac HFS and Appletalk support? NetWare connectivity? Access to HPFS OS/2, Windows FAT, FAT32 formatted partitions? The ability to appear in Windows clients' network neighbors alongside other NetBEUI or NT servers (thanks to the freeware Samba program)? It's all there. All of its prodigious power and extensibility isn't ultimately what makes Linux important to resellers, however. The reason that you should put this magazine down and place an order, or download a free copy from Red Hat's Web site ASAP, is that Red Hat's Linux will make Unix desirable for small to midsize businesses and SOHO installations. No other version of Unix has ever successfully penetrated those market segments. Selling Linux, then, is really a matter of demonstrating (and then capitalizing on) the technological advantages this OS offers. But please don't get caught up in an OS holy war. Selling Linux as a solution is a powerful supplement, not a replacement for NT and NetWare--yet. In our view, supporting Linux for your customers is an incredible opportunity to showcase the growing range of free and commercial applications available--from Netscape's offerings to industrial-strength databases from Sybase and Oracle. To say that things are moving fast in the Linux world is a substantial understatement, and clients will be looking for resellers that have the answers in how Unix, NT and NetWare can be brought together to build the ultimate corporate network. Things are looking good even on the desktop, where Linux actually stands a chance, thanks to Corel's port of its WordPerfect suite. Soon to follow are ports of the company's top-notch graphics programs. Are you beginning to get the picture?
What should resellers make of Intel's recent investment in Red Hat Software Inc., a prime Linux distributor? Rich immediately saw it as the start of an all-out Intel assault against Windows. Back in the Sm@rt Edge's Philadelphia test lab, however, David sighed and concluded this was simply business as usual. After a week of wrangling, we still don't agree on the implications of Intel's investment.
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