if ( Win2KTCO LinuxTCO ) echo "Only in US!"; (Score 2, Insightful)

American IT workers typically make 30% more than in other developed countries, ignoring altogether countries such as India. It is thereore possible that in the United States, the TCO of Linux may in some cases exceed that of Win2k. In many other countries the license for Win2K alone would exceed the TCO of a linux file/print server. In countries such as India, the cost of a Win2K license makes Linux very attractive, which may help explain the recent "Investment" by MS in that country (i.e. giving avay free Windows licences to deter defection).