[lug] RH 7.2 in stores - and bloody EXPENSIVE!

[D. Stimits]

Ferdinand Schmid wrote:
> 
> DeVerter at robinsonmechanical.com wrote:
> <snip>
> > Certainly, I agree that a rise in price for RH products was unexpected but
> > I don't think it's fair to throw the label 'really greedy...
> > money-grubbing' on them.  We all enjoy low-cost and free software as
> > benefit of using this particular operating system yet we also want Linux to
> > 'win' some war against other OS's.  Personally, I don't think there is war
> > on the desktop, at least not one I am that interested in.  The desktop is a
> > users place of free choice in appearance, function and applications.  What
> > I do want is Linux and Linux providers to be successful.  I make it a point
> > to buy one major release from Redhat and outside of that I download the
> > point ISO's when I feel I want to upgrade what I have.  And in between I am
> > familiar enough with my systems to apply patches when and where I need
> > them.  For some people, paying $20/month for RH Network to do this for them
> > is not a bad deal for easy updates to their system.  Though they may be
> > better served by using a KRUD subscription we need to remember that money
> > will change hands at some point.  Seeking profit is not evil.
> 
> The point was not that RedHat can't charge an appropriate price for
> their products.  The way I understood this the criticism was against a
> disproportionate increase in price.  RH may feel that they have
> established enough of a market presence that they can dictate the price
> for commercial linux - not much unlike other OS companies.  Compared to
> other very high quality distros such as Mandrake and SuSE RH is much
> more expensive for less.
> Example: SuSE allows you automatic updates on as many machines as you
> like within one company per license.  They also give you a distro with
> most Linux applications you may ever want pre-configured at a much lower
> price than RH.  This includes security features for servers.
> 
> So if you love RH and don't care about anybody else then stay with them
> just like many people do with M$.  If not then send them a message and
> support tummy.com  or give other good distros a try - such as Mandrake,
> turboLinux, SuSE, ...

My favorite distributors are ftp, cheapbytes.com, and "Kevin of KRUD".

D. Stimits, stimits at idcomm.com

> 
> >
> > Personally, my dilemma is whether to give my money to Redhat to aid them in
> > creating a stronger business class server or to pay tummy.com to support my
> > local Linux service provider.
> >
> > My opinion is not that a local provider can't provide a rock-solid server
> > but that big business is more likely to trust a name that they see in the
> > news, on Wall Street.  I state this because the war I would like to see won
> > is the reduction of MS servers and the proliferation of Linux and other
> > open OS servers.  This is where we need to put our concentration so as to
> > rid the Net of .Net, Passport and Code-Red type attacks that take away my
> > bandwidth; nasty ideas that remove choice and free speech.  Having a choice
> > is what we all I have, it's what we all want to keep and we want others to
> > have that choice - when they finally realize they can choose and not take
> > whatever came pre-installed.
> 
> Privately held companies can convince large customers to buy into their
> products too.  See
> http://www.suse.de/us/press/press_releases/archive01/Banco_Mercantil.html
> for just one example - a bank switching to an IBM mainframe and a
> version of Linux without a Stock symbol.
> 
> I firmly believe that we don't all need to run (and pay) RedHat for
> Linux to win.  Part of Linux's strength is that there are many distros
> and the user can choose what works best for them.  So if you do embedded
> systems check HardHat and other distros that specialize in this field -
> and if you are a home user pick what you like from the CHOICE of distros
> at the store.  You may but don't have to buy RH - and if the price isn't
> right then pick something else.  This choice (including DEBIAN - FREE)
> is one of the beauties of Linux!
> 
> >
> > Redhat would like your $60.  tummy.com would like your $60.  Support your
> > Linux providers - whoever they may be...and download the rest.
> >
> > Mark d.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web Page:  http://lug.boulder.co.us
> > Mailing List: http://lists.lug.boulder.co.us/mailman/listinfo/lug
> 
> --
> Ferdinand Schmid
> http://www.archenergy.com
> 303-444-4149 x231
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