concerns about linux

[register]

Hi there,

The hosting company I work has been using FreeBSD for our hosting 
platform for about ten years.  Honestly, we love it.  We are currently 
in the process of migrating to version 6.  Recently we have invested 
some development into the same product, but on linux.  My dilemma 
concerns how this will affect our FreeBSD product.

I have the impression that once we have both products side by side our 
new customers will tend to choose linux, due to name recognition.  This 
is especially true for our Japanese customers.  Our existing customers 
will likely stick with FreeBSD because they are used to it and like it.  
In the end I expect that our revenue for hosting on linux will grow 
quickly and on FreeBSD will stagnate.  When development costs are 
considered by management the justification for two products, with their 
separate development costs, will not hold up well.  The result will be a 
complete migration to the linux product within the next couple years.

Frankly I think FreeBSD is much better than linux.  Our developers agree 
emphatically.  We feel like our customers would be better served by 
having FreeBSD.  However, the revenue benefits of a move to linux seem 
to be insurmountable.  I am looking for valid justifications of 
maintaining our FreeBSD development team and FreeBSD product in light of 
the anticipated changes in revenue streams.  These justifications must 
relate to the business side of things.  Any insight into this problem 
will go a long way to helping us keep FreeBSD in our portfolio, which is 
what we really want.  Thanks

-eric