Specially back than, of course, but back in the day, we wouldnt be able to afford for a Solaris and consulting(i didnt know how to manage one) giving our small size, and, i dont know how it was in the US, but in Brazil it was something really expensive.
Im saying this more in the light of what Linux was considered back then, and what it is right now.. In that time a OS maded by a "bunch of hippies" were something people used to laugh about, and people that use it like me were also mocked because of it, because of the seroius money and industry involved in other solutions.. while Linux was the OS of the "looser".
We live in a completely different world now, thanks specially to Linus, Stallman, and all the other people we wouldnt be able to name.
This is a really impressive achievement comparing with the Microsoft and the Linux of the nineties.
I remember creating dial-up internet provider in the nineties using Linux, and all the prejudice the IT people have towards it.
"Eww, you are using Linux? here.. i have a Solaris for you" or : "Why dont you just use NT 4?"