Uncle Fred wrote:

> Peter D. wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>> There is not much chance that you will pay Gentoo for a car and then
>> find that you can not trace Gentoo or the car.
>>
> Yes, that's true, and it's not a lot of money. However, if I
> don't pay them something, and I'd like to, then can I still get
> updates and fully participate in the forums and everywhere? I'm
> guessing that this would not be possible.
> This was my problem with Mandrake 9.1. I got the discs from the
> "Computer Helper Guy" and a while ago found that I can't get
> updates. I'm no longer authorized. So I'm looking to change and
> after seaching for a distro to my liking, it's between Gentoo and
> Libranet. If Gentoo is going to be not updateable for me, then
> it'll be very sad, but I'll return the discs to the nice gentleman
> that burned them for me and maybe give him the installation manual
> I've already printed out as a peace offering.
> Then I'm back looking at Libranet or maybe one of the more widely
> circulated distros, and spending some more $s.
>

You can update Gentoo w/o ever paying anybody anything. There's no
"cut-off time". Contributions are always welcome, but not at all
required.

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