> this is exactly why the LSB is so amazingly critical. companies can target the > LSB and then it can be run and supported on any LSB-compliant (e.g. > certified) distribution.
LSB doesn't really cover very much. It's a start, no question. But it doesn't go far enough. > yes, Red Hat Linux is better than MS Windows ;-) That's what I thought too. I'll do damn close to anything to get Linux in the door. Cause once it's there, it'll never leave. > i don't know if we'll ever quite reach that point... We will. Really, what do we need? I've set up one corporate network already, and have several more "on the go". we use closed source for Email, a Desktop OS, and Office. Office is almost replaceable. OO needs something to replace Access. Linux on the desktop is almost a go. When they upgrade desktop hardware, it'll be time for a real discussion. Email is the last standoff. Not email, but the whole email/Calandering/Scheduling/free-busy/etc thing. There is nothing out there yet. This will change soon, as web based becomes more mainstream, and also as more standards based implimentations become more mainstream. That's about all that's left for most smaller businesses. > which is why we need to sell them on Linux, not Red Hat. and yes, we do have > quite a bit of sway in this matter as experts and decision makers. We've been here before. I'll ignore it. > heh.. of course not. the thongs are for individuals, not companies. =) but you > are quite right... You've seen my PHB, have you? > o buy from companies that hire OSS developers Red Hat. IBM. I do that already. > o contract a company that employs OSS devels for custom work/support (working > in Germany for several KDE devels) Hans Reiser has the best consulting rate in the industry. And he knows his stuff too. > o contract an individual to provide support, expertise, on-demand bug fixing > and/or custom coding I've called OSS developers here in Calgary for help, they're too busy. ;) > o hire an employee whose mandate is to work on a specific body of OSS > software that the company relies on (including in-house support, obviously) That would be me. You'd puke if you read my obfuscated spaghetti, but it works. I see myself more as an evangest. I've been pretty successful so far. > of course, i have to ask if we really "need to". much of the Free software has > been developed for non-monetary reasons, and many Free software devels have > found jobs doing so full time. i'd love to see more OSS devels be able to do > nothing but develop Free software *ahem* *ahem* but it isn't like the whole > thing will fail if we don't. That's true, but I love my job. Few people can say that. I'm good at what I do in part because I focus on it all the time. OSS will succeed, but cash would accelerate the process, and relieve some spousal stress. My wife hates if I work all day in front of the PC, and then come home and continue. If a good coder didn't need to worry about the day job, perhaps he could have an evening to spend with his/her wife/hubby (I've heard some programmers are married) and avoid burnout. > and why can't a regular company do just that? perhaps not a full body, but > sponser X hours/mo of development on a certain project. business will first > need to start seeing how the new supply chain in software works, though: > people develop software, you get it. so if you pay a project developer $X, > you are ensuring the longevity of your software. it's kind of like the old > days, just without the licensing details and without all the middle-man > companies. Good point. > a future for your software? > consulting, expertise and/or custom development? > support (including source-level bug fixes)? Companies don't care. Netware, Lotus 1-2-3, etc, VAX, etc. > hrm..... ok... > > "I need some cash so I can work on KDE full, or at least part, time. Er. I > need some cash so I can work on KDE full, or at least part, time and actually > get paid for doing so ;-) In return, you'll get better desktop software that > addresses the issues you need/want addressed." > I've made offers to have local people in for consulting. I was willing to pay, and probably willing to pay far more than the person's standard rate since it was going to them individually. Granted, Dynegy went into the toilet overnight, and one of the people on this list probably feels lead on over the fact that we were going to have him in, everyone was happy with the idea, but then I got my fingers slapped for even talking about it. Kev.
