I agree, but what Linux/Unix products should one buy that
gives all the functionality that started this thread?  There are
none that are open source.

> It /is/ Microsofts business model, tie as many things together
> with 
> proprietary protocols/"standards" and you've just locked a company
> into
> windows by choosing *one* product.
> 
> On the other hand, you can use a UNIX variant, and *gasp* they can
> all
> communicate, using standardized protocols, usually without any
> problem
> whatsoever. 
> 
> 
>