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Date:      Wed, 6 Aug 1997 12:32:32 -0400 (EDT)
From:      "John T. Farmer" <jfarmer@sabre.goldsword.com>
To:        hardware@FreeBSD.ORG, richard@pegasus.com
Cc:        jfarmer@goldsword.com
Subject:   Re: Compaq ProLiant systems -- problems?
Message-ID:  <199708061632.MAA20834@sabre.goldsword.com>

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On Tue, 5 Aug 1997 22:35:44 -1001 Richard Foulk said;
>		 [Said by others]
>} In general I would avoid the Compaq machines, for several reasons:
>} 
>} 1.  Everything in them is very proprietry, the frames you mount your
>}     disks in, the SCSI controllers, you name it.
>} 
>} 2.  They are overpriced.
>} 
>} 3.  Due to #1, you're stuck with compaq support/service, and over
>}     here that amounts to "It had a RAM error, so we changed the
>}     motherboard & the SCSI controller.  That will be $3000 thankyou!"
>
>I'll second that assessment.  Proprietary, quirky, expensive and costly
>to repair.
>

The problem I run into is that Compaq & Dell are so beloved by
"corporate America!"  It's similar to to the old "Nobody ever got fired
for buying IBM" in my mainframe days...

I put on my coat & tie, go in & do the dog & pony show for the management
types, pitching a FreeBSD server.  Even with warrenties, & my company 
history, etc., they go, " Well, we would raither buy a 'name brand'
computer for this application, since it's so critical to our
company."  I mention parts issues, open vs. proprietary, etc.
"We already have xx machines from Compaq/Dell, etc. and they run Win95/NT
just fine."  Then the FreeBSD vs. WinNT arguement starts.

Do I do projects using Dell/Compaq machines, etc.?  Yes.  Do I do
projects using WinNT?  Yes (I hold my nose...).  When the client has
made up his mind, & I want a chunk of his money/business, then I work
with what he insists on.

What do I use in house?  FreeBSD & open architecture systems, of course!

John

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John T. Farmer			Proprietor, GoldSword Systems
jfarmer@goldsword.com		Public Internet Access in East Tennessee
dial-in (423)470-9953		for info, e-mail to info@goldsword.com
	Network Design, Internet Services & Servers, Consulting



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