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Citrix is very expensive, but configuring VMware for multiple concurrent access is a complex job.
Can I do the job with only £7K: new server, CAT5 cabling, (thin client) licences, probably more memory for each machine, new NICs and so on.
Easily, I'd say, but don't say so, keep the surplus, be useful for black-market petrol. Our last batch of ISA NIC's was four pounds each. Spend money on Netgear 10/100 switches, Intel EtherExpress 10/100 cards in the server, maybe a RAID array, though that'll chew up your 7K.
Many thanks for the words of advice and for giving me another route to consider, Chris. It's much appreciated, believe me. It's come as a bit of shock to be actually be making a "real" decision, IYSWIM, instead of just being occasionally asked an opinion but not having to make the choice. A big shock. Think I'm starting to grow up here a bit :-)
But tell me, since when have "licences" cost money?
I would love to go Linux only for that room (and then the whole place) and I appreciate that as the new boy I've more chance of actually getting it done too. The problem will be colleagues. Not the ones who need the NOF training but the more knowledgeable users who are dedicated Access/Excel users. I think the senior DH & H would love to be able to save all that cash we have to spend on licences for MS products. And I've noticed that SuSE 7.o has more educational style packages too. Hmmn well, I won't know until I ask, will I? And the head's ambition is to make our school (new Technology College) the best for IT in the LEA so I was hoping of selling it as a way of leading the way for others, IYSWIM. -- `paul