Hack #44. Get Linux Past the Gatekeeper
What not to do when trying to get Linux into your server room.
Let's face it: you can't make use of Linux Server Hacks (Volume One or Two) unless you have a Linux server to hack! I have learned from mistakes made by both myself and others that common community ideals are meaningless in a corporate boardroom, and that they can be placed in a more tiefriendly context when presented to decision-makers. If you use Linux at home and are itching to get it into your machine room, here are some common mistakes to avoid in navigating the political side of Linux adoption in your environment.
Don't Talk Money
If you approach the powers that be and lead with a line about how Linux is free (as in beer), you're likely doing yourself a disservice, for multiple reasons. First, if you point an IT manager at the Debian web site (home of what's arguably the only "totally free in all ways" Linux distribution) and tell him to click around because this will be his new server operating system, he's going to ask you where the support link is. When you show him an online forum, he's going to think you are completely out in left field.
Linux IRC channels, mailing lists, and forums have given me better support for all technology, commercial or not, than the vendors themselves. However, without spending money on vendor support, your IT manager will likely feel that your company has no leverage with the vendor and no contractual support commitment from anyone. There is no ...