M$ and Linux: Real reasons Corporate IT don't make the switch!

I think someone needs to bring some reality to this conversation. Let me explain my situation and than feel free to flame away.

I work in the financial sector, I work at a smaller institution and I am so to speak a one man band in the IT department. I am a Microsoft User, however, I do like what Linux is beginning to do. This is what I see as the problems we currently have to switching anything over to Linux:

1.) Not Compatible with Mission Critical Core software: First of all changing our core software would be changing how our entire organization works. This first and foremost means that until our Vendor can provide a compatible product that will work with a Linux machine we are stuck in a Microsoft world.

2.) Not compatible with other non Mission Critical Software: We have looked in the past at trying to switch to linux as the primary OS used within our organization, of course, if none of our current software implementations (Critical or Non-Critical) will run on a linux box than we cannot make the conversion.

3.) User Issues: I promise you that if I have to spend time working with many of my users for simple things well they are working in a Windows environment, in which they have been working for the last ten years, that if I force Linux out to them I will be spending a good share of my time training and working with them on operating there new system. Now I know you say above that there are no long term risks for this, unfortunately, you are wrong. When assessing risk to a business an integral part of any risk assessment is analyzing any and all reputation risk that could occur. Recently another institution in our area was bought out by a larger company who converted there systems to a completely new core processor, this in turn lead to a whole list of problems that eventually cost them a large amount of business and did enough damage within there local market that it is likely they will never recover. In turn using this example you can see that the switch from Linux to Windows could immeadiately and in the long run be a huge reputation risk for our institution.

4.) Regulatory Risk: This is another issue that needs addressed but has not been. The problem right now is that regulatory agencies do not have a large amount of expertise to work in the Linux world, thus there are not a large amount of regulations written to be applied to a linux machine. If you view the FFIEC handbook it is apparent while reading that it was written with Windows being a key thought in the minds of its writers. Now you might say that this isn't really a problem as the added benefits and security will spare any regulatory risk, this is again inaccurate. Unfortunately with the rise of Identity Theft, Phishing attacks, etc.; it has become a standard for organizations to be reactive to regulations rather than proactive simply because it is such a broad field it is impossible to keep up and stay ahead of the game. This is especially true when you are using technologies that regulators are unfamiliar with, as you are essentially setting around waiting for them to find the error in what you are doing. This is a large risk and one that can result in serious penalties.

/End Rant

On the other hand; as I mentioned at the beginning of this I really like the direction that things are going for Linux. I actually have started to learn how to work in a Linux environment, granted I am truly a newb in the Linux world, I am however learning and enjoying what I do learn.

Also, I hope that at some point in the future we are able to have an option between Windows and Linux and Unix, etc. unfortunately right now we are locked in to Windows, and I truly do not blame this on Microsoft, this is a circumstance created by Microsoft being the dominant provider in the market and that my boy is the consumer not the company.
Also to those who will flame this:
I am just trying to get you to see the issue from another standpoint. I actually find the M$/Linux/Apple flame wars aggravating and accomplishing nothing but stifling creativity within the industry. Furthermore, it gets way more attention than it truly deserves.

LR