Linux Special: Why doing nothing is a wise IT strategy

The feedback we've had to the articles published as part of our Linux Special have been extraordinarily emotive. The emails and phone calls we've received have been unlike those generated by any other articles we've published - even the Trials of Microsoft focus of last year.

While this sort of response gives us all something to talk about over lunch, it hardly helps businesses decide on a future operating systems (OS) strategy - be that for Web servers, departmental servers or desktops. The passions aroused by that bizarre little penguin logo tend to obscure the facts.

Unfortunately, those 'facts' are thin on the ground. Earlier this month, a study conducted by Mindcraft found that Microsoft's NT Server 4 outperformed Linux as a file server and a Web server. The Linux community fought back, saying the test was skewed because Microsoft commissioned it - and the real problem was with Apache, not Linux, which was also used in the study.

Eric Raymond, the open source guru, told Silicon.com this week that he expects Linux to outstrip NT as a server OS in less than a year. The Butler Group claims that Windows 2000 will be a resounding success, with 70 to 80 per cent of enterprises already using - or planning to migrate to - the NT platform.

Tim Fletcher, IT project officer, Powys County Council, claimed he saved a fortune by rolling out Linux instead of NT. Microsoft proponents say the lack of support for Linux will lead to escalating costs for users in terms of staff training, server downtime, and application development.

IT chiefs don't like making decisions based on emotion - but in an arena with so few hard facts, there's not much else to go on. Cautious companies might adopt the 'better the devil you know' approach and go with Microsoft. The risk takers might take a gamble with Linux - but it's a gamble that could pay off handsomely - both in financial terms and server stability.

The only sane advice though is to wait and see what happens - although the temptation to act now will be nigh on irresistible.

Microsoft is to spend £25m training 150,000 IT staff in Windows 2000. The marketing machine will be its usual well-oiled self. The Linux camp is more than capable of holding its own these days.

So IT managers who are as yet undecided should hold back on making a final decision. With Y2K just around the corner, many non-essential upgrades have been frozen anyway - and that could be a good thing. In 18 months' time, there may be more 'facts' available, and the current emotional hubbub should have subsided.

Until then, it's wise to sit on the fence and listen to the arguments without prejudice. There's no shame in taking this particular third way.