The areas I think it’s hard to convert for are non-profits (due to specialized accounting packages), artists (although the art packages are getting better all the time), and gamers. The only reason I keep windows around is for CS and gaming. The non-profit accounting will probably change over the next 5 years though leaving the other two to contend with.

As a side note, I use mirroring raid on ubuntu servers (ever since 7.10) and haven’t had problems with it.

What do you mean when you suggest that Ubuntu Server doesn’t support RAID1?

I have multiple Ubuntu installs that use Linux MD – Software RAID1.

Ubuntu server LTS Hardy 8.04 is a scam because it does not really support Raid-1 and the Ubuntu server team is still discussing what (if ever) they will want to backport to Hardy

If Ubuntu Intrepid server will become a usable, stable, however not long term supported release, is still an open question.

This is by far, the easiest server I’ve ever met. It has web/file/database/email/LDAP/Samba servers/firewall/web proxy, all managed through a simple web interface.

Additional functionality is available as well (http://wiki.contribs.org/Category:Contrib).

Download page at http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Download

Documentation (manuals etc) at http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation

Blurb from the main doc page
Server Features

The SME Server server and gateway installs automatically on a PC, converting it to an industrial-strength communications server that optionally allows all of the computers on your network to share a single Internet connection.

In one simple, easy-to-install package, you get:

* A high performance email server that handles email to and from your users.
* Enhanced security features that reduce the risk of intrusion.
* A central file server enabling seamless information exchange among Windows, Macintosh and Unix machines.
* A web server to host your company web and/or intranet site.
* Browser based server-manager software that makes it easy to add new user accounts, control remote access, configure network printers, set up workgroups and connect additional networks.
* Special services that speed web and Internet access, improving the performance of your network.
* A shared email address book that is maintained automatically.
* i-bays, a unique communications and collaborative facility that makes it easy for users to work together on projects.
* Quota Management – you have the ability to set a limit on the amount of a disk space a user can use for files and e-mail.
* Windows 2000 and XP domain logon support – Previous versions have allowed the server to act as a domain controller for client computers running Windows 95, 98, ME or NT. This version now extends that domain logon support to Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
* USB printer support – It is now possible to connect the SME Server to a printer via the USB port.
* Improved Macintosh file sharing support – The server now includes better support for Macintosh file sharing and eliminates some previous cases where Macintosh users were unable to access i-bays.
* Experimental ISDN card support – While our software has always supported external ISDN adapters, this version now includes experimental support for using an internal passive ISDN card.
* Use of unmodified packages from upstream providers – Packages from Centos 4 (2.6.9 kernel), Mitel, and other packages from atrpms and rpmforge are used unmodified whenever possible. The result is that any other Redhat EL4 or Centos 4 RPMS should work without modification.
* Installation on a system with 1 hard drive is automatically set up half of a RAID1 mirror, ready to accept a second drive. Systems with 2 drives are set up as RAID 1; 3-5 drives as RAID5; and 6+ Drives as RAID6.
* Secure email enhancements. POP3/SSL, IMAP/SSL, SMTP/SSL, SMTP AUTH over SMTP/SSL.
* Webmail has been upgraded to the latest versions of Horde, Imp, Turba and Ingo from horde.org
* SMTP Email reception is now handled by qpsmtpd. Advanced but simple to use plugin system to easily install extra functionality and write local rules. Almost all features are implemented in plugins.
* Antivirus email and hard drive scanning is now provided by ClamAV. Virus definitions are kept up to date automatically, and program updates will be available automatically via the software installer (yum).
* Email attachment handling: Including the ability to block EXE, ZIP, PIF and automatic conversion of TNEF or UUENCODE encoded attachments to MIME.
* Spam Filtering with Spamassassin. Automatic tagging with X-spam-status headers, and optional filtering and subject tagging. Configurable rejection levels.
* Enhancement to the pseudonyms panel. You now have the ability to send (e.g.) support@domain1 and support@domain2 to different places, and you can now enter pseudonyms of pseudonyms.
* Yum based Software installer panel. Approved contribs and official updates can now be installed in the server-manager. Selectable “Automatically install updates” option.

Which is why I’ve commented before that Ubuntu server is a disappointment to me. Yes, I know the value of CLI administration, etc etc. But Ubuntu is supposed to be the ultimate “newbie distro”. So where is that on the server?

There have been various SME/SBS/SOHO server ideas kicked around on the ubuntu wiki for years, which I have watched with bated breath, but nothing has come to fruition. Maybe someone just needs to do a derivative?

I have been working with Ubuntu Server for a few days now and I must say that it is not trivial. All I want is a working, nat gateway/firewall/email/file/print server on one box for my staff (me) to use on my single static IP address. So far I have spent way too much time and have not been 100% successful.

So, I will be working with the server team to make changes to allow this. I agree the SoHo market is a great space for Ubuntu Server as well (as the desktop!).

Ubuntu needs to work on an end to end desktop and server solution like Xandros and Apple server does.

Also DIRECTORY SERVICES that are easy to use like Open Directory on the Mac or AD on SBS. Xandros does not have Directory Services but their Bridgeway tool makes it appear that they do.

Web management is cool, but people are used to using PC tools like MMC on Windows or Workstation Manager on the Mac.

Also it needs to be scalable! That is an advantage! This is the killer for things like Clark Connect and SME server. Not scalable. Your business grows and you have issues.