Originally posted by _V_
View Post
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Windows 11
Collapse
X
-
The only reason why Windows got to be so popular in the server market is that the front end of Windows server looked like Windows desktop OS. The non technical decision makers in companies though they understood Windows server because it looked the same as what they had at home. The best and most secure server OSs have long disappeared.
"A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves and traitors are not victims, but accomplices," George Orwell -
It was best in class product, that's why it succeeded, obviously.Originally posted by Paddy View PostThe only reason why Windows got to be so popular in the server market is that the front end of Windows server looked like Windows desktop OS.
What was the alternative - OS/2, NetWare?
Windows Server is killing itself now with per core pricing - it was bad enough to pull that tulip for SQL Server but for a basic server OS is a no-*******-no. Plus (and that was present from start) CALs bulltulip totally not suitable for the Internet facing servers, which is why they totally lost that market to Linux/etc now.Comment
-
Z/OS is still going strongOriginally posted by Paddy View Post
The only reason why Windows got to be so popular in the server market is that the front end of Windows server looked like Windows desktop OS. The non technical decision makers in companies though they understood Windows server because it looked the same as what they had at home. The best and most secure server OSs have long disappeared.
Comment
-
complete rowlocks.Originally posted by Paddy View Post
The only reason why Windows got to be so popular in the server market is that the front end of Windows server looked like Windows desktop OS. The non technical decision makers in companies though they understood Windows server because it looked the same as what they had at home. The best and most secure server OSs have long disappeared.
It was cost, availability of software and marketing.
In the 90s proprietary UNIX was locked to hardware and cost thousands. Windows would run on any common PC compatible and cost £100. Wordperfect and lotus 123 (the original office apps) ran on it.
You could stand up a windows server including hardware for less than a copy of Novell and client licenses.
Plenty of shareware available for almost any task on Windows.
Microsoft looked at ways to solve common problems not gouge money from you.
If Microsoft had not existed servers would cost £100k and only work with software approved (at great cost) to run on it. A simple PC would be a few thousand. Look at a Macbook running FreBSD and it still costs more. You may consider it is worth more but without M$ it would cost a lot more.
There are a few technically more competent systems out there if you have millions to spare. There is FOSS and lots of that is good if you can convince the business to accept its limitations.
Comment
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Is your Director’s Loan Account (DLS) a target of HMRC’s closer look at close companies? Yesterday 04:45
- Contractors, are you making any of the five big limited company bank account mistakes of 2026? May 28 05:51
- ‘Welcome’ increase in HMRC mileage rates for contractors using their own cars for work May 27 05:18
- King’s Speech 2026 including a welcome Late Payments Bill still leaves contractors short May 26 04:42
- Getting a mortgage when you're a contractor. The system wasn't built for you. Is that finally changing? May 22 06:11
- How deepfake AI contractors threaten umbrella company supply chains under JSL May 20 06:31
- Mileage rates review: Will the first AMAP rethink in 15 years benefit contractors? May 19 05:57
- What is a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), and are FDE jobs for IT contractors ripe? May 18 04:43
- IT contractor demand lunged towards growth in April 2026 May 13 04:48
- What does PGMOL’s win over HMRC mean for contractors? May 12 07:25

Comment