On Saturday 21 Jun 2008 13:47, Mehul Ved wrote: > On Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 10:55:29AM +0530, Rony wrote: > > FOSS is a different game altogether. In Windows you can simply be > > a service provider and the client is supposed to know how the > > software works on his own and he takes the initiative to do so. > > Not to question you or something but I didn't get this one, if > you're just providing the product and finishing out there, how are > you the service provider?
Rony means a reseller and mantainence service provider. If you are a linux service provider, you would also have to provide training as one of the services. The vast majority of users are clueless even on a doze box, but do not know that. If they have a problem they can phone another clueless friend who will lead them to the final solution (reinstall). However If you are correctly accounting for the costs, you will realise the massive inefficiency with doze and hence would be willing to incur the pain of retraining. With small businesses and individuals, this costing is never easy if at all attempted. Recent story: A friend of our business associate has about 20 pcs and his hardware provider who also doubles up as the software expert spends several hrs almost daily sorting problems. Since the business is used to the "free" service from the hardware guy, who recommends better hardware every few months and has to run ever faster to keep things falling apart, nothing will change. The friend was surprised to know from our associate that we never need an AV or reinstall. As far as the incompatibilities go, try complaining to M$, who by the way are busy changing the specs disclosed earlier as part of a DOJ ordered solution to the cases against market restricting tactics practised by them, WITHOUT informing the court. In short Rony's solution of forgetting about users not pissed off with doze is the simple workable option. -- Rgds JTD -- http://mm.glug-bom.org/mailman/listinfo/linuxers
