What happened with the previous system was that it dragged on for years and years, with many expensive delays and poor technological decisions. By contrast, the Linux system is up and running much faster.

So yeah, you can try to spin it as 'Linux is just as bad as Microsoft', but if one takes 5 years and is a complete disaster, and the other one takes 2 years and has a few hiccups, I know which one I prefer.

Disclaimer: as far as I could care, Windows and Linux can both go and die in a fire, so you know I'm neutral :D

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The root cause of the problem the previous one had if I recall correctly was that they had some CTO come in who didn't know anything except the Microsoft way of doing things. So, naturally, they ended up picking Microsoft for everything. Problem is, the Microsoft sales reps promise you the world and whisper sweet nothings in your ear until you give them your virtue, but once they have ravished you they roll over and go straight to sleep.