Would you pay for Windows to save time?

I'm very blessed with a large forum, and expanding business. But I've found that I just can't afford to spare the time anymore to break open a linux book every time I need to modify the config of my server, software firewalls, kernel updates, email config changes, etc etc. (I'm fed up with Cpanel glitches so it's not an option.) I've got two monster servers on order and will be colocating them in Dallas in June.

It's not my intention to start yet another win vs linux debate. I've searched and found countless threads on this. But no real information to help me...

My plea is this: Do any of you fellow big-boarders have any experience moving your forum from linux to windows (iis or apache), while keeping the *same hardware*, and therefore can provide a real answer to the question of whether or not there is a performance hit running vbulletin in windows? If so to what degree?

$1500 is a lot to spend on Windows - if you were in my shoes with no time to deal with linux, would you simply go with windows, or pay someone at the DC $75 an hour to do all setup, config changes, and maintenance of your linux servers? Or do you think it'd be better to contract out the job to a 3rd party IT guy?

Thanks for any input

[DaiTengu]

I think it would be cheaper for you to stick with Linux and pay someone to configure your server for you. If your community is that big, there's a good chance that someone in your community is familliar with Linux and Apache, so they might be able to help out as well.

I turned my knowledge of Linux, Apache, and MySQL into a full time job.

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by kontrabass

$1500 is a lot to spend on Windows - if you were in my shoes with no time to deal with linux, would you simply go with windows, or pay someone at the DC $75 an hour to do all setup, config changes, and maintenance of your linux servers? Or do you think it'd be better to contract out the job to a 3rd party IT guy?

Where are you paying $1500 dollars? If you are buying new hardware, you can get OEM licenses. Windows 2003 Server with 5 Seats costs less than $500 when OEM. For 2 servers, that should be $1000 dollars. Less if you purchase it without the 5 seats.