Re: Say it ain't so Rhat

["Jim Pharis" <binarybrain@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The open source model that has brought Redhat to where it is now is that you 
can make open source code and still make money on it by excelling in areas 
such as training and customer service. Robert Young spent an entire chapter 
explaining that in the book I read.

The reason customers return to Redhat instead of going somewhere less 
expensive is for a few simple reasons, Redhat's strong reputation and name 
recognition.  Redhat's advantage will be that when people want quality stuff 
they go to Redhat.

I will admit that the install wizard is not a big deal. However, in the 
future Redhat might decide that they could make more money if maybe they 
made the RPM proprietary software. It is an advantage for other companies to 
use the Redhat Package Manager. It tells customers that Redhat is doing 
something right if other companies are using their technology.

Even though the average computer user could not decipher source code from 
Egyptian Hieroglyphics in the long run it is an advantage to them. With 
proprietary software the customer becomes boxed in and must rely on that 
company for help.

ITS THE LAZY WAY TO FORCE THE CUSTOMER TO KEEP COMING BACK.


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