move to exchange server: counterarguments?

From: felmon (noone_at_nowhere.edu)
Date: 10/31/04 

Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 19:03:31 -0400

greets!

some weeks ago I posted on coln requesting information about the
implications for a Linux user like myself of my college's decision to move
people to Microsoft Exchange Server. I've been advised to try here.

the IT fellow here made some claims which, though it's pointless in a way,
I would like to rebut. (pointless because I think the decision can't be
rescinded.) I would welcome some sources and ideas.

he claimed:

(a) it is too expensive supporting Unix (they use Compaq Tru64) because of
how much competent staff cost while you can get competent Windows people
relatively easily.

(I know this is an argument that Ballmer has made in some recent
communication.)

(b) many colleges and universities are moving away from Unix (and linux)
toward the Microsoft stuff.

(this runs totally against things I've been hearing but wish I had some
sources and statistics though I know hard statistics are elusive.)

please forgive: I know this is a kind of advocacy question and I may also
post at cola (though I will not add follow-ups to this group!), but I
thought here I might have a higher ratio of sober and informative replies.
after I pick your brains I'll go into the zoo and hope for some reasonable
replies.

I see no chance of stopping the move but I would like to have something
more than hunches to utter the next time the IT guy makes these claims if
only for my own understanding. I have one set of references; am looking for
more.

Felmon