OS selection

Hi Folks

I am about to start a home web development business and I am wondering what OS(s) to go with. I will be doing quite a lot of work in Apache/PHP/Mysql for which I will have a machine running some distro of Linux and acting as a broadband gateway.

I will have another two other machines and I am wondering what to go with. One machine will be my main development machine and ideally it would have Win2k Server, to use IIS/ASP but apart from that I really don't need much more of it's functionality. The other machine is for my wife who does the books and day to day correspondance for the business. For this I was thinking XP Pro and XP Office.

I want to be 100% software legit before I start business so that everything is above board. The thing is, though, with the MS license agreements priced as they are it makes the whole venture cost prohibitive, bearing in mind I still have to purchase an Adobe suite at around $1300.00.

So, does anyone think I am being a bit over the top with my Windows selection and perhaps there is another alternative where I can still get the all functionality I need?

Otherwise, does anyone know of a good place to purchase these products online?

The prices I have been given from my local dealers are around:

Win2k Server - $1000.00
XP Pro - $350.00
XP Office Pro - $550.00
(All $US)

Thx in advance!

Well,

If you plan on strictly using IIS and ASP you do not neccessarily need 2000 Server. I am not sure if you plans involved hosting websites or simply creating them for clients and they would have their own hosts. IIS with ASP and any other module including PHP can be run on any Windows workstation. An alternative is to load IIS on a regular 2000 or XP Pro desktop PC and configure local users and security.

A tool for IIS security is called IISLockdown which can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...61-FD755D23CDEC

I would hold back on server until you are certain the business is flourishing enough and you have extra income to purchase the software. It's better to feel it out then to waste money in the process. Also, soon 2003 Server will be out so it might be worth the wait. But then again, stability could be an issue as always with new Microsoft OS's.

There's my 2 cents on the matter...

If you haven't purchased/built the machines yet look around an OEM MS authorized distributor. Copies of XP PRO can be legitimately purchased for around $150 US.

Another way to save money is StarOffice. It's about 1/5th the cost of MS OFFICE. note: There are some advanced functions not included, but most office users don't use them anyway.

Check out OpenOffice. Even cheaper.

for OEM XP PRO :example

for StarOffice : cheap

for openoffice : free

These 3 links will save you $$$$$

btw, these alternatives will leave you withou FrontPage. That will be something to consider. Since you quoted $550 above for Office I am assuming you wanted the developer package for FP. Personally I think FP sux, but to each his own.

1) XP can be purchased for around $100 if you can get an educational discount.
2) There is a beta version of 2003 Server that you can try for free.
3) You wife doesn't need XP Pro; the main differences between Pro and Home are IIS and VPN, which she probably won't use. I'd reccommend a Mac, as it comes with a ton of integrated sofware, is less prone to crashes, doesn't require activations, and AppleWorks can read Word and Excel files.
4) For the server, I'd personally go for Linux or another form of Unix, as they're all free and tend to be more stable than windows. ASP presents a problem though. You'd have to buy a program for $200-1000 to add this functionability

but dude, he wants windows.

Really? And it was worth bringing back a thread from a few weeks ago to say that?

o ****e i didnt see date...