equal of NT in most ways and is arguably superior. Performance tests seem to indicate NT is still ahead in sheer speed, but Linux is less expensive than NT and can even be downloaded for free. Linux runs on the same equipment as NT and can run better, with less downtime, if not faster. Good support is available for Linux from the vendors and from the Linux and Open Source communities. It is a far more popular Web server platform than NT and Red Hat Linux's Oracle support may soon make it a more popular database server. Major software corporations like Oracle, IBM, Corel, and others are throwing massive industry support behind Linux. You'll find your favorite applications available for Linux, such as Corel's WordPerfect, games like Quake II and Civilization, and internet software such as Netscape Communicator and Sun Microsystem's StarOffice 5.1a.On the other hand, Linux is a weak alternative for the desktop market. The Linux offerings have, so far, been too difficult for the average user to install, and there is a lack of marketing to the computing masses. Linux remains a technologist's OS option, not a general one.Will Linux Server replace Windows NT? Yes. Linux can do the job and all current indications show a trend that Linux Server OS installations will soon be outpacing NT....
