Re: [aclug-L] Linux on store shelves

[John Goerzen <jgoerzen@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gpigman@xxxxxxx writes:

> Excuse me if I'm wrong but after reading the Linux mag. the word " Free"
> pertains to the source code. What someone else does to the code to ease the

Yes, and more specifically, your freedoms with that code -- not the
price of it.

> installation and configuration is what you are paying for. If Linux is to go

To be sure, that code is generally GPL'd (and thus Free Software in
the sense of freedom) as well.  What you're paying for when you buy a
boxed version of RedHat off the store shelves is: the CD media itself, 
the manual included with it, and some phone support.

Now, if you're an experienced Linux user, you probably don't need the
manual and phone support, so you would just buy the CheapBytes version 
and be done with it.  Or, you may not go with RedHat at all, since its 
primary advantage rests with the (relative) ease of installation.

> mainstream it will have to be easier to get running so the average Joe Blow
> can get it running with minimal trouble. I'm no flipping genius, but unless
> you really want to run Linux and read lots of HOW TO'S your not going to get
> it running right. The only way I see to get the masses, not just the Computer

Or you can let ACLUG people install it for you :-)

> specialist or back room Hacker Mechanic (Which is what I consider myself) to
> use it, is to do just what our good buddy Mr. Bill has done. Someone has to
> stick it in a pretty box and sell it. It's all marketing. Nobody works for
> Free. The only way to market a product like Linux is to is to make it for
> everyone. 

Ease of installation and configuration is a hot topic these days.
Things are happening in the Debian area especially in an effort to
make 3.0 significantly easier to install and configure.  RedHat is
already pretty easy compared to the others.

Note that I'm abusing the word "easy" here (oops).  What I'm trying to
say is that it is "easy to learn how to install" -- Debian is easier
to install if you know what you're doing.

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