On Mon, Sep 15, 2003 at 09:40:51AM +0200, Wolfgang Bornath wrote:
> T. Ribbrock schrieb am Mon, 15 Sep 2003 08:58:59 +0200:
>
> I did not mean such that involved proprietary stuff. I meant projects
> which involve a lot of time and engagement. If there were only people
> doing it in their spare time while going to a 9 to 5 job every day these
> projects wouldn't even have started because of lack of time.
I doubt that they wouldn't have started. If the "itch" is strong
enough, someone will scratch it, that's the way it worked the whole
time. We might not be as far (technology-wise) as we are now, as it
would take much longer.
>
> > On the other hand, seeing that other projects (e.g. OpenBSD) can
> > thrive without all those companies involved, there seem to be other
> > ways as well.
>
> Are you sure that none of the developers are sponsored by a company?
Reasonably. Theo lives of the project, afaik. And he is not known for
letting external influences interfere... (though the extent to which
he takes this has been subject to a multitude of discussions - but
that's an entirely different kettle of fish).
[...]
> It's the same thing as it is with arts. Some things can only be produced
> and maintained with the help of somebody. Nothing wrong with that. The
> only important question is: How much influence has the money?
Agreed. I concede your point.
> Of course that is a shame. But it's not a reason to be worried
> concerning Mandrake. There are people who see a tree being cut. What do
> they think about? What wonderful furniture a skilled man can produce out
> of this piece of wood? Or how many fires can be started with the matches
> made from this piece of wood?
Or whether cutting that tree is really necessary? Without knowing
anything about the guy who cuts the tree, he observer will not be able
to know. Up till now, Mandrake has no track record with me, except for
hearsay.
> Aha. How about this: If a product is good, I don't care whether I have
> to pay for it or not, I'll get it. If the product is not good, I don't
> care about free versions, I just don't want it.
>
> You decide that as Mandrake is getting money from elsewhere you can take
> the free version. All I see from you is: If I have to pay, I won't take
> it, because Mandrake gets enough money from elsewhere.
<sigh> No. That's *not* what I'm saying. Maybe I need to differentiate
more: Mandrake makes one Linux distro, but many products. I've tested
the distro, as packed in the product "9.1 download edition". I liked
what I saw. It's a good distro. So I want to use it. At the same time,
I *do* agree to "fair price for a fair product", so I'm quite willing
to buy the product "standard edition" to get the distro. However, then
Mandrake announced their stance with regard to third-party advertising
in their products. What they announced (forcing third-party ads on
paying customers) is a business practice I do *not* like, no matter
from whom. Hence, I do *not* like the product anymore, even though I
do like the distro, cause I do *not* want to support that type of
business practice.
That leaves only the product "download edition" if I do want the distro,
which is a pity.
If you want to call this constructed just because you don't agree with
the reasoning, fine, be my guest. In that case we'll have to agree to
disagree, as to me, they are *very* valid reasons - otherwise I
wouldn't spend the time presenting them. Just "freeloading" can be had
with much less effort... ;-)
Regards,
Thomas
--
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Thomas Ribbrock http://www.ribbrock.org
"You have to live on the edge of reality - to make your dreams come true!"
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft?
Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
