Red Hat

[Tom Fogal]

maybe someone could explain this to me, i've never really understood it and 
its apparently a huge selling point.

why does one need support for a[/any] linux distribution?

if one doesn't know how to do something, theres documentation all over the
internet on how to do things. new software releases are indicated on the
web pages of the applications used. to keep on track of security flaws, 
there exists mailing lists such as bugtraq (if you use too much software to
check their websites every day, as i suspect most do).

the ongoing maintenance of a linux system is 'fixing'/upgrading old software,
or installing additional or replacement software that has more use or perhaps
better security.

so what are they selling? "one hour phone support"? or maybe four hour if you
dont pay as much? short of hardware failure, i can't remember having any
problems w/ linux/freebsd systems that take more than an hour to figure out
(well, this part is usually done for already, via security notices/etc) and
fix. initial setup, perhaps, if its a large system and one has little setup
experience with it... but is that such a huge deal?

it would be greatly appreicated if anyone could clarify why this is a big deal.

-tom

> Has anyone heard the rumors about Red Hat Splitting the Personal versions to
> a new sub company and new product name ? Here is the text of the message is
> received from the SuSE users group,
> 
> "Redhat announced that they are discontinuing the consumer version (used to
> be called Redhat Linux).  They are planning to provide support and
> assistance to the Fedora project but it will not be a branded by Redhat.
> 
> They've stated that the Fedora version will be for hobbists and enthusiasts.
> It will have a very short life cycle and will contain bleeding edge package
> releases.  If you want a "business" release then you have to pay for their
> enterprise versions.
> 
> In other words, if you wanted a branded stable solid release (used to be
> Redhat Linux) that was suitable for SOHO or equivalent at a low cost (even
> $0), well, Redhat no longer provides this.
> 
> This has resulted in a huge debate on the RH mailing lists.  Many are
> stating that they're going to be moving to SuSE or at least seriously
> considering SuSE."
> 
> 
> Richard A Sharpe
> (DBA) Sqlserver/DB2
> Amherst Technologies
> 40 Continental Blvd
> Merrimack, NH 03054
> PHONE .......(603) 579-6180 / (800) 431-8031
> Cell phone ..(603) 320-7785
> FAX ...........(603) 578-1072
> EMAIL .......rsharpe at amherst1.com 
> "Tenemos que tener fe" ("We must have faith")
> 
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