Open source vs. Proprietary

MS W2k3  ( Plenty of Linux solutions) http://www.linuxiso.org/
MS Content Management Server (Tons of Open source Content MAnagement systems)
MS Commerce Server (http://www.oscommerce.com/)
MS Sharepoint Server (http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200504/ij_04_29_05a.html)
MS SQL Server ( MySql) http://www.mysql.com/
MS .Net technologies ( Java) http://java.sun.com/
SOA - not sure what the difference really is if this is constructed proprietary vs open source.  My assumption is WSDL, SOAP, XML is what to use...

Above are just some examples of open source software you can use, there are plenty more where that came from. On difficulty this would depend on your implimentation of the software ie. If you know how to implement it right etc. You could also use http://www.openoffice.org/ it is free open source also instead of using Microsoft Office. You might spend more time in the long run to impliment open source software but when you get it up and running your cost will sure make up for it. With Proprietary the setups tend to be easier and more user friendly but finding the right open source solutions you are bound to get good support on forums and countless other ways.

Joe

I forgot to add a link to CMSD systems here is a very helpful website.

http://www.opensourcecms.com/

The only thing I would worry about is if you needed Active Directory right now I do not think Linux has anything like it right now unless somebody else knows of something. So if you have AD implemented then that is one thing I would stick with MS on.

Joe

Thanks very much for the information.  Any suggestions for open-source CRM?