[Sheflug] swaying win users over to linux

[Peter Collier <nospam [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Happy New Year all.
	I have met a business man who installs and maintains computers in
around 5000 shops. At the moment these machines are running microsoft
and a c program that he has written himself. He is considering going
over to linux re licence costs. 
	He will need the computers to have a sufficient install just to run his
c program. (apart from the one he uses to write his c programs on) This
program accepts input from the screen re items being purchased,
automatically alter the stock records, accept credit card information
via a swipe, and all transactions relayed to various head offices via
modem.Also needs to facility for his firm to alter the software at the
shops via the internet. It will also have to be able to recover from
erroneous shutdowns from dumb blond shop assistants. 
	Red hat tends to have predefined install setups and will install far
more than is necessary  (I think). There is a custom install option but
I'm not sure what components should be or not be installed. Would it be
better to go for a debian install perhaps, or another distribution?
	The afct he can write c in dos/win, is there any thing he needs to
know/learn to write in linux.   Any advice would be much appreciated.
	5000 machines currently and expanding would be great boost for the
linux community.

	Thanks in advance,
			Peter

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