>>> Sorry to seem sarcastic, but I get irate knowing that they are
 >>> wasting my tax dollars on stuff that could be done SOOO much
 >>> cheaper.
 >>
 >> Someone who knows alot about this (not me) should write a letter to
 >> the editor about how much money the government is wasting on
 >> Computer applications when there is such a viable option!
 >
 > But then Maricopa County would have to hire competent IT people at
 > market rates, instead of incompetent hacks at 2/3rds of market rate!

I have two words for this - Largo, Florida

http://newsforge.com/newsforge/01/08/10/1441239.shtml?tid=23
http://newsforge.com/newsforge/02/12/04/2346215.shtml?tid=19

Open Source is simply a tool that enables lower TCO.

"Even the Microsoft people couldn't refute the fact that Largo's current
setup uses far less hardware and is far easier to administer and
physically maintain than an equivalent Windows-based system."

Don't fall into the trap that the major cost savings is from the
licensing, when it's really a combination of software licensing AND
hardware.  Staving off off a hardware upgrade for 2-3 years with Open
Source software can easily offset the cost of retraining and higher IT
personnel salaries.


-- 
Chris Lewis
shadow@digitalnirvana.com
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If it compiles, it is good, if it boots up it is perfect.
       - Linus Torvalds
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