Another message for the LUG from afar. Craig ________________________________ From: Andi Mann [mailto:amann(a)enterprisemanagement.com] Sent: Friday, 4 November 2005 9:55 a.m. To: secretary(a)wlug.org.nz Subject: Linux Research - Request For Assistance Hi, I am a Senior Analyst for Enterprise Management Associates (www.enterprisemanagement.com), a leading IT analyst firm, covering Systems Management technology. We are doing an in-depth research paper on Linux server management, and would like your help to survey the members of the Waikato Linux Users Group. We have posted a web survey, and I would like you to forward this email to your members, asking them to complete the survey. Each survey should take about 10 minutes. The URL for the survey is: http://www.emausa.com/surveys/ema_lsurvey.htm The proposition I am researching is that the total cost of ownership (TCO) for large-scale commercial Linux systems is declining due to availability of more powerful management tools; and that Linux TCO is equal to or less than that of Windows. It is in reaction, in part, to 2004 studies from Meta Group, Yankee, and Microsoft claiming Linux has higher management costs, and higher TCO, than Windows. My research aims to find out if the availability of better management tools has further reduced the cost of Linux ownership. In return, we would be happy to provide any respondents with the completed report. We think this will be a very significant paper, which will help you and your members present independent validation of Linux cost advantages. I would appreciate your help. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Thanks, Andi.