[wellylug] Forking Linux.

[Brent Wood]

> >
> Welll I've never used DeadRat's support (tried to, but never
> succeeded). I decided in the end that I was paying for the fixes and
> upgrades. up2date was my friend.

Unfortunately all too common. The MS support model. You've bought the licence,
we've got the $$. Go see your reseller.

We had a problem with a Linux app run from an X server under Windows. Emailed
Starnet about the problem (it was their X Server). Got a response, "we've set
up a Red Hat system to replicate the problem, but aren't sure how to install
the software you are using, here is the root password. Can you login & help set
it up?" Almost as good as the better OS software support. They have identified
the problem & released a fix. So, to keep it on topic :-) Xwin32 may not be the
best X server around, but we're happy :-)

> 
> How many people have asked for an received useful support for their
> paid-for distros. This would be a much smaller number than have
> searched the knowledge base and obtained a fix.

That's more coz corporates want, pay for, & get support contracts. The vast
majority of LUG type users don't wanna pay for anything. (Hell, the LUG isn't
even sure how to deal with what dosh comes it's way :-) I pay, & figure good
value so far.

Recent case, local body web initiative. Tender pretty much said "No OS or
unsupported software to be used". Solution, OS software with a local company
installing & supporting. Happy customer. 

Most Linux professionals I know in Wgtn are uninterested in the LUG. Linux is a
job, not a hobby. Several RHCE, Linux developers/users/admins etc. Some are
more interested in the NZOSS approach to things.

So the corporate world largely requires support contracts. To succeed, Linux
developers have developed structures to meet the customers' needs.

The problem facing them is what model do desktop users want, so Linux can gain
more market share there. The standard approach seems to have been freebies for
enthusiasts/hobbyists & the same commercial support approach for corporates.
Look at Sun's & Novell's new approach. Don't sell a product, but lease a
service.

Too soon to see how this will work. Also, there is a bit of a furore in the
Linux world generally, as many big corporates have MS contracts/agreements
about to expire. Many opportunities for OS/Linux. Can they make the most of
them?

Politics? pretty much. But the history of OS & Linux is all about politics :-)

Fun times!!  

> 
> I'm not sure what my point is here. Rambling as usual. Maybe that the
> "phone support" is a chimera and the support (which is generally
> excellent) is via knowledge base and regular updates.

99% I agree. But there have been a few occasions where I dearly wished I had
someone tied to a contact to help get problems sorted. That 1% is often mission
critical....

Brent