Re: Paying For Linux !!?? (was Re: USB installation - MD5s for RHEL 5.3 Fail)

Sidney Lambe wrote:
Allen Kistler <ackistler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

[delete]

BTW, Red Hat's subscription fees are not
version-specific. If you paid for RHEL5, you can switch to RHEL3.

The world is indeed coming to an end. People are paying
for Linux.

Actually, they are not paying for Linux. Red Hat is charging for support and maintenance. They also charge for the compiled versions of the software, but the source is available for free.

They have no problem with others compiling their source (other than their trademarks) and distributing and maintaining their own binaries. CentOS do this, and Red Hat is not prosecuting them.

But even worse, people are _selling_ Linux.

True. But if you are a true capitalist, note that you can get the source for free, so those who pay vendors such as Red Hat must feel they are getting something of value in return for their money.

I'd guess that RH uses closed-source proprietary software, too.
And that they have 800 numbers for paid tech support.

You do not have to guess: it is described on their web site. The more you pay, the better support you get. Their Enterprise Linux distributions do not have proprietary software in it. They also sell other packages that are proprietary if you want them.

Note that Red Hat contribute to the Linux software effort with the donation of paid staff to work on parts of it.

[snip]

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