The Business Casefor

Linux                                             

Dwight Gibbs & Chris HagnerThe Motley Fool

DC Area CTOs MeetingSeptember 21, 2001

Introduction

Dwight: Tech cost structure and Linux

Chris: The Motley Fool and Linux

You: Questions and Linux

Technical Cost Buckets

ServicesHardwareSoftwareMeatware

Services

Good news: Many Linux services companies existMission Critical Linux, Red Hat, VA Linux

Bad news: Most services companies are much more familiar with Solaris, UX, AIX, Windows

Bottom line: If you need help, it is available

Hardware

Good news: Linux is very efficient, allowing extension of hardware useful lifeMany hardware providers install and support Linux

Bad news: Driver support not greatSMP support (> 4 CPUs) not good

Bottom line: Depends on your hardware

Software

Good news: The price is rightHigh degree of flexibilityIntegrates well with open source appsMany good, open source apps are available

Bad news: More software available for Windows and commercial Unices

Bottom line: Depends on your software needs

Meatware

Good news: Linux is very similar to commercial unices

Bad news?: Linux is not at all like Windows

Bottom line: Depends on your in-house capabilities

Linux Comparisons

• Linux vs. Other Operating Systems• Hardware support• Price/Performance considerations• Linux Software

– Availability– Quality

• The Linux user experience

Linux at the Motley Fool• DNS• Security/Intrusion Detection System• Bulk mailers• Web traffic recording/analysis• Ad serving platform• Intranet applications

– Bug tracking,Time tracking, Knowledge-base

• Web application platform (coming soon)

Our Web Migration Experience• Win2K/IIS/ASP to Linux/Apache/Python• Why?

– Proven success of mission-critical Linux apps in production

– Flexible and powerful software solutions– High-power tools for high-power techies– Very attractive price point

‘Foolish’ Realities

• Linux is a great work-horse OS for ‘general’ unix needs

• Open systems can be a god-send– Avoid mandatory upgrade cycles– Avoid vendor lock-in– Avoid migration if vendor fails/discontinues product

• Open source software provides us with high-quality solutions at a very competitive price point

• We see great benefit from being active in the Linux/open source community

So should I use Linux?

It depends – what is the problem at hand?Use the right tool for the job.

Bottom line: Linux is robust, stable, and relatively inexpensive and should be considered for any server application.

Y’all be Fool!

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