If anything has a complete lack of drivers, it's OS X or default rolled Windows. Linux supports more drivers in terms of legacy and current hardware out of the box, unlike Vista and XP which culled legacy hardware support, and don't have as many drivers as linux in terms of out of the box support.
So I must agree it's a horrible argument.
>"Open source software is free if your time is worth nothing."
While I agree with your original point, that it's the freedom in terms of control. This argument is completely invalid because it's like saying "Windows sucks because 4 year olds can't administer it effectively thus it takes longer". If you're going into OSS you need OSS specialized and trained staff, someone who has only worked with Windows Server isn't going to be able to effectively manage OSS, OSes because it's obviously logically different. (Difference is if they've used a commercial UNIX which is quite close to Linux you just have to modify some habits and learn package management for your distro).
In short the problem is the lack of preparation that goes into going Open Source in a company, such as getting the IT staff familiar enough with the tech.
Example of Windows vs. Linux -- Setting up FTP, allowing user logins disabling anon. (Using CentOS as distro)
CentOS:
yum groupinstall "FTP Server"
vi /etc/vsftp/vsftpd.conf
anonymous_enable = no
local_enable = yes
chkconfig vsftpd 345
service vsftpd on
Windows:
Open Server Role Manager
Go Through Server Role Wizard to Select FTP server role
Go into IIS options.
Go through multiple prompts, properties screens and wizards to finally enable local login and disable anonymous.
In short:
I can remember every step of the install on Linux, on Windows I have to be looking at the damn screen. Yet I've spent as many years on Windows Server as on Linux. However because I know exactly what commands on the commandline do and it's an easier interface to remember off the top of my head than a GUI, I can do it faster IF (very big if) I have all the knowledge I need.
Not only that but the "vendor lock in" is so inherent to Windows, people don't realize their core data (how their server is set up) is almost impossible to get at and export without the use of third-party full backup tools. Unlike Linux in Windows I can't clone /etc/ or some parts of /etc and stick it on a different server running the same version of the OS and expect it to be a drop in replacement.
So I must agree it's a horrible argument.
>"Open source software is free if your time is worth nothing."
While I agree with your original point, that it's the freedom in terms of control. This argument is completely invalid because it's like saying "Windows sucks because 4 year olds can't administer it effectively thus it takes longer". If you're going into OSS you need OSS specialized and trained staff, someone who has only worked with Windows Server isn't going to be able to effectively manage OSS, OSes because it's obviously logically different. (Difference is if they've used a commercial UNIX which is quite close to Linux you just have to modify some habits and learn package management for your distro).
In short the problem is the lack of preparation that goes into going Open Source in a company, such as getting the IT staff familiar enough with the tech.
Example of Windows vs. Linux -- Setting up FTP, allowing user logins disabling anon. (Using CentOS as distro)
CentOS:
Windows: In short:I can remember every step of the install on Linux, on Windows I have to be looking at the damn screen. Yet I've spent as many years on Windows Server as on Linux. However because I know exactly what commands on the commandline do and it's an easier interface to remember off the top of my head than a GUI, I can do it faster IF (very big if) I have all the knowledge I need.
Not only that but the "vendor lock in" is so inherent to Windows, people don't realize their core data (how their server is set up) is almost impossible to get at and export without the use of third-party full backup tools. Unlike Linux in Windows I can't clone /etc/ or some parts of /etc and stick it on a different server running the same version of the OS and expect it to be a drop in replacement.