---Scott Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Rick Sanders wrote:
>
> > Well, you *can* actually make money on GNU software by
distributing it in
> > its original form. The biggest example is Redhat Software
(www.redhat.com)
> > and their Linux distribution.
>
> No you can't. The entire GNU/Linux redistribution market supports
5-8 very
> small companies: RedHat, Caldera, Debian, Cygnus, err I'm already
running out
> of companies. It's not certain that more than 2-3 will survive.
There's
> probably only room for two small companies distributing the entire
Linux OS.
>
> Scott Ferguson
> Caucho Technology
>
[apologies to Scott for accidently sending this to him off list, too.
Stupid email program....]
Well, what about making money from distributing computers with the
software installed, from providing tech support, from consulting? I
actually really like the idea filling needs for companies using 'free'
software. That way they get products that have good reason to stay
around for a long time, growing and developing, and if they have the
need they can find others to help them out. I worked on one assignment
for a big consulting company, working for a huge client, and we had a
need for daily document conversion. There was a company that had an
ideal product, just needed a little massaging in the code, a change in
perspective. We called them up, dropped the names, and told them we'd
pay them whatever they wanted. Anything. And they wouldn't do it. I
like the idea of GNU software being free, not necessarily from cost,
but from the fear that it's secrets will die with the company.
And as far as the viability of the business model, I'd like nothing
more than to have a consultancy that works primarily with freeware.
Anyone else feel the same?
Josh
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