Matt, c'mon man, who isn't using Mutt in Cygwin on a manager mount these days? Get with the times dude.

Here's a question: say a small firm is setting up an office for 5 employees. The set up is going to be a server-client network (no shared apps). Do you recommend going with a MS Windows or Mac OS system? Are there choices in buying out-of-the-box or configurable servers and workstations that can house popular software, don't cost an arm and a leg and give choice?

Wondering if you can go out and buy the computing pieces and then run a freeware OS and pick and choose your components...and if it makes compatibility and cost sense...

BTW -- I'm not trying to diminish the genius of your original post, it's just that I don't understand it. :)