[wellylug] RE: Linux Clinic for Schools

[Klenner, Colin]

Some points about 'Free' that we should remember.

The basis for using Linux is that it is
1. technically superior to other offerings
2. harder for ordinary users to damage
3. has a large number of good products available for use
Obviously it has value to the user on this basis.

The 'free' portion of Linux is, and has always been, that the code is freely
available, not the implication that it can be acquired at no cost. It does
not attract licence fees for the base system services. This is the basic
difference to other proprietary OS's and products, which can and do charge
for the purchase of a licence (to use the software). Any accountant can show
the value of one to the other on a dollar basis.

If a support contract or supporting documentation (ie published books) are
required then this is not within the classification and may attract a cost.
This is where no one product stands out as all contracts of this nature are
similar. However a well configured stable system will require less support
and therefore attract a lower cost margin from the support agency. 

Value in 'free' - obviously!

Finally the other supporting arguement (less a selling point to the
non-technical), is that the ability to get resolution to faults is better
under the cooperative model offered freely via newsgroups, than from
proprietary models. The net gain for the technical community as a whole is
much greater, and therefore offsets the minor cost of connection and time
donated. Not 'free' just more efficient.

Feel free to pass this to the dissenting Aucklanders for their edification.

Colin
-----Original Message-----
From: Lindsay Hunter [mailto:klhunter at paradise.net.nz]
Sent: Thursday, 16 May 2002 9:25
To: wellylug at yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [wellylug] RE: Linux Clinic for Schools


Yes.  I fully support us being albel to demonstrate to ourselves we could do
it before offering to help a business such as a school.  And we should
conisider this as good business, because as has been suggested in the
Auckland LUG that a 'free' seems to have no value!  Does anyone see a
conflict in that?


Lindsay

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