@adnim
Bit of a rant, doncha think?
"And if IT professionals are such a responsible bunch how the fsck has MS software gained so much widespread use?"
By mass saturating the market with general purpose, compatible software that doesn't require years of experience and training to make work. Not the greatest thing in the world, but good business sense.
"And with too many paper MCSE's and not enough 'nix/Linux professionals in the business things are not likely to change any time soon."
Not an MCSE, but MCSA, and yes, the exams aren't the most accurate depiction of skill, but backed up by a good few years experience I think that my quals count for something. I like M$, monkeying around on the command line never really got me going, but thats why we have an RCSE to work alongside me on our Linux boxes.
As for the suggestion that Linux is somehow hacker proof, stick your box out there on the net, without a firewall or any kind of security, and lets see it stay uncompromised. when I have a W2K3 box that acts as a DC, File and Print server, Mail server, and also hosts 3rd party apps, FTP and other functions....tell me how you would make that secure OOTB??
"This to me means that not only is MS software unfit for purpose but Microsoft themselves are unfit for purpose"
Exchange 2003 does a decent enough job of moving my mail around...W2K3 hosts my files and printers nicely...ISA locks my system down well....Office lets my EU's write documents and spreadsheets....OWA, Activesync and windows mobile means my users can work remotely....and it is all compatible, all works together (when configured correctly) and there is a wealth of experience and knowledge out there to help me support it all when it breaks.
No, M$ may not be the best technical option, they may not be the most secure, but with 40+ windows servers, 250+ XP/Vista end users and everything that comes with it, they keep me in a job and damn I love the money :)
Mines the one with "I'll blow M$ for overtime" on the sleeve