(I started a new thread title but used my friend John's quote from the
previous one on Moz. security.)

John Culleton wrote:

>> ANC
>
> On an earlier topic, Al what is this $40 business?

I know I can get Slack for free from our local user group, or by downloading
it.... or for a few bucks from cheapbytes.com. However I like to support P.V.
and I believe that I should do that. I have no problem if a student, or young
family, or new business, or anyone on a tight budget or 'regular' income gets
Linux for free. By most accounts I would be considered 'wealthy' (but not
like Gates or Trump!) and I'm happy to help put some bread on the table of
the guy who makes the product.... and I have the money so I do. If I didn't,
I wouldn't.

I'll tell you one other thing. The 'wealthy' people I know who use Linux use
it because it's free. They could afford to hire a team of programmers to
write their OWN disto... but they download it and never pay. It's the guys I
know with 'regular' jobs (mostly state jobs) who send in the cash.

Pay for it, don't pay for it... it's not my issue. Don't think I'm making some
value judgement of any kind here. This is what I do and I don't care what
anyone else does.

Interesting (OT) issue though. It comes down to "How will open source be
supported?" The originial paradigm was the product would be free and we'd all
pay for documentation, consulting, and 'service.' Does not look like it
worked. People got the product for free and they use public forums like this
one for 'service.'

While Susie Creamcheese will never pay for service (anyone know who she is?)
as larger business entities move to open source, I think THEY will sleep
better having a corporate 'face' behind the 'product' that they can call for
help, service, etc. It might be a good time to set up a Linux-based
consulting practiice in your city and ALSO PERHAPS see if you can form a
partnership with one of the major commercial distros.... or not. Maybe if
you just build it, they will come? (Sorry, Ray!) I just don't know.... but I
hope so.

M$ 'owns' my city (Sacramento) so I don't see it happening here... unless
someone in state government gets a clue. What are the chances of Linux
'taking over" in your city? Or has it already?

ANC