snip.. >It may not be a question of SuSE-on-S/390 versus no Linux-on-S/390, you >know. Further, it may well be going into a shop that wants to run Linux >on Intel boxes as well. Those shops usually want to use a single >vendor's Linux distributions across their platforms. There is at least >one distributor that lets you do this for evaluation purposes free of >charge. > >While Linux, pretty nearly, is Linux, it is quite useful to be able to >actually run it on the candidate platform. > >Further, I think the idea of a $4500 evaluation license is simply silly, >especially since you include support with it. If it's an *evaluation* >license, what do I need the support for? A much cheaper, no-support >license would be much more appropriate for evaluation purposes. "Can't >get it running without needing the support I haven't paid for," is >certainly a viable evaluation result, and would tell the evaluator a lot >about the ease of installation of the product. > >Adam
Excuse me folks, I think there's something we've all forgotten here: this is a *Linux* distribution we're talking about here. You know, Linux, - that OS which is distributed under the GPL. Even if Suse won't sell media kits without support, refuse to make it available for free download etc, there's still nothing to prevent anyone who aquires a copy from making it available for free, 'as a service to the community'! The only questionmark is over YaST, which is under a Suse license, not GPL, but even that isn't a problem - my YaST license specifically states: 'All programmes derived from YaST, and all works derived thereof as a whole or parts thereof may only be disseminated with the amended sources and this licence in accordance with 2b). Making YaST or works derived thereof available free of charge together with SuSE Linux on FTP Servers and mailboxes is permitted if the licences on the software are observed.' It also states: 'It is forbidden to reproduce or distribute data carriers which have been reproduced without authorisation for payment without the prior written consent of SuSE GmbH or SuSE Linux. ' Note the words 'for payment'. If a site has got a copy of the latest Suse S/390 GA, there is nothing I can see to prevent them from making it available to one and all via FTP, or indeed from copying and distributing the media so long as they don't charge. I submit that this is a storm in a teacup, and Suse have made an error of judgment in trying to restrict distribution of *Linux*! It ain't called the GPV for nothing :-) A $4,500 evaluation license for Linux????!!!! Perish the thought! Mike http://www.corestore.org _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com
