You can use a different architecture for replacement components, it shouldn't be the same thing

I expect things to happen just like GNOME3:
STEP 1: Big change, didn't really think that one out...
STEP 2: Community outrage, people whining, people migrating away
STEP 3: Some development versions away, things actually starts to work, requested features are being added
STEP 4: We get to a pretty nice project in itself, it has identity, it has what was intended, it has far less users (ungrateful bastards!!!)
PROFIT?
Should we get involved into the design of systemd and make it take on our own problems I'm sure it will turn out just fine. After all, the stakes are high, the stakes are many. I for one eagerly await for systemd to add plain text log/config support, just like mother UNIX wanted. Until then begone!

If you have the bucks then pay the professional, I haven't heard of any of them to do a terrible job for the huge paycheck. And the insurance will not cover even if a 'professional' did a lousy job.
What the guys in the thread are stressing and you are not getting is the regulation of said job(s). And in my opinion both FOSS and closed source lack, in practice, a lot of testing scenarios. Being a conscious fellow I can add my own hacks... er... tests to see what I am installing, to more or less satisfying results and I always open a bug report when things aren't ok. And the tests, in my experience, are more easy to do and have shorter resolution loop (including feedback and push forth) in open source as it is in closed source. Also, the guys back at the source are really helpful even if you didn't pay for a support contract and the criteria for selecting your bug to be resolved are in most cases technical and fair.

One: Windows and Linux drivers are not interchangeable... That being said, for old equipment most likely linux kernel still has support for it. On the other hand, for specific hardware forget it.
Two: Applications are not that easily to move from windows to wine. Some won't work. Some will work only after fresh install. Migrating registry keys and license files are also rarely successful.
I do not discourage use of a gnu/linux distribution to solve your problems, but I don't see your solution feasible. If you need specific hardware or software and support is nowhere to be found in the community I suggest you upgrade both hardware and Windows.

Point taken, AC.

Then enlighten this entire forum, smart ass :)

We accept cash only

Quality forum? You've never heard of Proronix?

Should I have?

It's the site that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!

Some are common personal preferences that got accepted within submissions. Don't remember that much about NAT, though...

Phoronix

Really sorry for my phrasing. I'll stay at my current job as long as I can grow and develop, otherwise I'll move somewhere else. If I don't do that and I stop learning it would be really hard later on to pick up new stuff...

Yeah, I picked my first job as bad pay but a lot of learning opportunities and sticked with it for three years, which is usually the minimum requirement for a good job. Our college teachers called these 'the sacrificed years'. After that, I picked a better job and as long as I can grow I stay on my current workplace. I believe that once you stop growing it's really hard to change jobs.