>Andrew....but the point is, as of version 7.1 there will no
>longer be an English language vboxed set packaged by
>MandrakeSoft. The two Macmillan packages (Complete and
>Deluxe) will be the only available English Language boxed
>sets.
I don't know that this is such a big deal. It's true that the Macmillan
crew made a few mistakes on the 6.5 flap, but I'll bet anyone on the
list that a world class successful company like that learns from their
mistakes *VERY* fast. So I doubt there will be any more like that.
On the other hand, MandrakeSoft is a very small company to take on the
logistics of advertising and distribution for the entire English
versions unless they plan to stay a very small distribution.
The WIN/WIN scenario for everyone is for MandrakeSoft to concentrate on
producing a high quality master disk, and then let someone who owns
trucks, warehouses, etc. take care of getting it into the retail market
with MandrakeSoft getting a cut for each box. Quite frankly, unless I'm
badly mistaken both companies will make more money, and because Mandrake
has more resources we'll probably see an improvement in the pre-release
testing phase.
The GPL disks *MUST* stay the same, so places like Cheapbytes and
Linuxmall will still burn CD and sell them for a few bucks, but because
I seriously expect the quality of the releases to get better, those 2.99
CD's will also be better.
So, in the long run, the people who want only the GPL disks will get
better disks, and the people who purchase the package will get better
disks. The difference is that for the large English market a large,
efficient distribution house, rather than a small software company, will
be handling the packaging. So, both companies do what they do best, both
companies avoid what they don't do very well, and the users get a better
product because the money saved on the distribution model can go into
development.
Of course, I might be wrong. But I don't think so. The Linux market is
very fickle, and Macmillan knows that. They have too much on the line
to screw it up. And if they become perceived as predatory everyone will
flock away.
Michael
--
Michael R. Batchelor - Industrial Informatics & Instrumentation, Inc.
Linux is like a wigwam...
No windows, no gates.
Apache inside.
