Received a call from a potential new client today. They need a server to host their website, a small e-commerce platform, and a shared file storage solution. I suggested a FreeBSD-based solution with jails but was asked for alternatives without any explanation. So, I offered Linux options, possibly with Docker services, LXC containers, or separate VMs. Still, they requested other solutions. I started explaining about an OpenBSD-based approach with separate VMs for each service, or even NetBSD. Again, alternatives were requested.
At that point, I paused and asked, 'Do you have any specific solution in mind?' The reply was, 'Something based on Windows or, at most, MacOS. I don’t trust this free stuff, it might be okay for universities, but the real world is something else.'
I hadn’t heard such a statement in over 20 years. I began to explain... to no avail. I also mentioned that I work with these systems, not Windows or MacOS on servers (???). With an air of superiority, they insisted that’s what they wanted and had no budget limits to get it.
I quoted them 50,000 euros. The call ended within the next 30 seconds. 🤣

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