Comment Choice (Score 0) 718
You're getting more choice with OSS, that's why.
If you stick with a proprietary solution, you line yourself up to get screwed. Raise your hand if you've ever encountered a problem with microsoft tools that is _completely unsolvable_ on your end? What do you do? Wait for a patch? Don't hold your breath. If you go QT _you_ can fix it if it comes to that, or at least you have more information (ie source) to enable you to work around the issue.
With platform choices (like the RHWS), you CAN'T get screwed (to a limit). If you get the raw end of a deal you can switch with relative ease to another distro. Of course this will be a headache on its own, but not nearly the headache of getting screwed my MS and having to weigh the decision of staying screwed or porting over to another platform.
Proprietary vendors can charge less because they lock you in and you're not going anywhere (among other reasons brought up by others in this thread).
If you stick with a proprietary solution, you line yourself up to get screwed. Raise your hand if you've ever encountered a problem with microsoft tools that is _completely unsolvable_ on your end? What do you do? Wait for a patch? Don't hold your breath. If you go QT _you_ can fix it if it comes to that, or at least you have more information (ie source) to enable you to work around the issue.
With platform choices (like the RHWS), you CAN'T get screwed (to a limit). If you get the raw end of a deal you can switch with relative ease to another distro. Of course this will be a headache on its own, but not nearly the headache of getting screwed my MS and having to weigh the decision of staying screwed or porting over to another platform.
Proprietary vendors can charge less because they lock you in and you're not going anywhere (among other reasons brought up by others in this thread).
