[wellylug] Hutt small business to buy firewall/fileserver

[Carl Turney]

Hi Folks,

Anyone looking for a new paying customer?  If not, please pass this on 
to some LINUX techie you know who is.  Thanks...

I've just started a non-IT position with an established Hutt Valley 
small business.  They've just received a "MicroSoft only" written quote 
for over $40k to set up their first firewall/file server on a new 
HP/Compaq, plus a couple new workstations, integrate the existing 5 
workstations, ongoing SysOp fine tuning for 3 years, etc.

A lot of the money seems to be going on paying MS to "set the hook 
deeper".  Users are addicted to the familiar MS interface, and many 
MS-only apps.  (I don't think we can force a change to Open Office, even.)

Systems are low-demand:  Word processing, web browsing, emails, one 
accounting system, the occasional spreadsheet, a custom-written FilePro 
database.

I'm thinking a LINUX fileserver/firewall supporting the small LAN of MS 
workstations.  Also, using good solid clones with ASUS or Gigabyte 
motherboards, instead of brand name boxes.  You get the feeling.

I'm good on the fundamentals, and older versions of MS Win, but am not 
up to this project.  I know what to ask for and expect, but no time to 
learn how to do it.

You need to
- be an established company, preferably with business premises,
- have a few happy "hybrid" customers, willing to give references,
- have a staff of at least two fully-qualified SysOps,
- be able to explain all necessary concepts in easily-understood ways 
(in case I'm away etc.) (preferably former Polytech or Uni lecturers/tutors)

Ring me on 027 6913 080 if you want to submit a counter-bid.

Thanks,

Carl