[plug] Red Hat ending it consumer distribution

[Jon Miller]

I would like to get members viewpoint on a trend I see developing and it
could spell the end to "free Open Source software" as Linux is moving
into the mainstream market and business starts adapting Linux, does this
mean that others will be following suit? 
Let's face it companies like Novell who is buying SUSE and bought Ximian
will not be giving these products away. They will be either bundled with
their existing products or one may have to purchase it outright.  Any
word from the Debian, Mandrake and other distro camps on their future?
Unlike M$ who is out the bad mouthing Linux, there are those that can
see it's market value and if possible buy it and incorporate it into
their own market place and this makes it difficult to decide if one
should stay with the company own product or go with the Linux version.

For instance I initially started with Novell back in the early 80's and
because it's products are solid I stayed with it.  Up until 5 yrs ago I
was using it's BorderManager to handle the gateway issues, yes it was
good and solid, but it's cost was too expensive for the SME I support. 
Looking for another method I soon came across Linux (RedHat, then Debian
then back to RedHat).  This solved two (2) issues with the single
software, solid and reliable service and cost reduction (hardware and
installation and software).  So I didn't have to purchase two (2) copies
of Windows NT (since I always recommend a 2-box solution for networks)
or Novell's extra licenses to solve the problem and I could use a old in
the corner box that was being decommissioned. 
Now with RedHat going "mainstream" and charging for it's software, SME
will be back where it all began.

For those old enough to remember when MS first came on the scene Support
was "free".  It's called in the states "hook-line-and-sink".

-- 
Jon Miller <jlmiller at mmtnetworks.com.au>
MMT Networks Pty Ltd