Some of this is covered in Andrew Grygus's article 2003 and Beyond: http://www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit029.html Andrew writes: "Then, in December 2002, Microsoft about faced again, saying Windows has lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) over a 5-year period, and cited an IDC study which Microsoft paid for. Problem with the study is, nobody believes it. It not only contradicts established experience, but has flaws obvious even to the untrained eye. Further, one of the authors is on record saying Microsoft's conditions biased the study." "The study presumes: Linux installations need as many administrators as Windows installations (they certainly do not), and Linux administrators cost a lot more than Windows administrators (they do not). Completely omitted are the cost of major Windows upgrades, which are required by License 6, every 3 years. Windows 2000 Server is the 5-year baseline, and it's only been out 2 years, so figures are just projections." "Microsoft is keeping the full study and its methodology secret and releasing only summary figures. This suggests there are many more questionable assumptions and a lot more twisted logic in there." Andrew has some more insights into Microsoft's marketing strategy and why he believes Businesses will most often choose Microsoft. -Stephen