Tech Startup Considering Gentoo

[mtalanti]

Just an opinion question for all of you. I'm in the process of forming an Internet startup (who isn't) and, as a long time Linux and OSS user, want to build everything around the ideals of Linux/OSS. We are thinking about having all our desktop computers for our employees be in some flavor of Linux, we would like to build our website in Ruby on Rails, etc. We of course would contribute as much as possible to the projects that we use, and if we get to the level that we are shooting for, hopefully we'll be able to contribute a lot -- but lets not speculate too much.

So my question is, what would be some of the ideal ways of building a company's infrastructure around Linux and OSS? Would Gentoo potentially work well in a business environment? Should employees have lots of options in terms of software and GUI, or should we standardize everything? Good tools for imaging and image deployment? Would it make more sense to outsource a good deal, for example to Engine Yard or a similar company (who I think uses gentoo as well)?

We're looking to build a site that needs to handle a ton of bandwidth, be lightweight, and easy to scale. Any opinions on software for typical business use, which would be in use for everyone, not just our developers? Anyone know of good mobile email systems, like a BlackBerry or Treo, that could be integrated in a fully Linux business environment (since FIC and OpenMoko seem to be a little ways off)? There are just too many questions I guess.

Anyways, thanks in advance for any input. Building a company has been a lot of stressful work, but I've received a lot of valuable input from many different sources. Hopefully my company can give back relatively soon to all the communities we'll be using.

[nixnut]

Moved from Other Things Gentoo to Gentoo Chat.
Better off here.
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