[NTLUG:Discuss] to 'sell' or not to sell opensource

[Richard Geoffrion]

Chris Cox wrote:
> Richard Geoffrion wrote:
>> I have found that many customers and potential customers do NOT like
>> the concept of FREE software.  They can not get over the concept of
>> having a company take responsibility for software used in their
>> production environments.
>
> This almost implies a Microsoft-based customer.  Many things in Unix
> (and Linux) come for free.
>

Lets call them a recently former and soon to be former MS customers. :)

>
> If I were your customer I'd expect patches/upgrades/fixes to the
> OSS being sold.  The CD is a nice touch and a targeted package can
> certainly have value.

All patches and updates are of course included in the original 'sale' price
minus the labor to apply them when needed.

>> I'm hoping to start making regular contributions to Samba, Dan(qmail
>> , the inter7 group, Sam V.(courier mta), apache, and whoever else I
>> can find that have 'donate' options.
>
> It's a good idea.  I don't mind paying people for their work.

MEE TOO!

Steve's Point:
>The sorts of problems I'd expect you to have to worry about is collecting
>sales tax and passing on the benefits as a charitable contribution without
>having to pay tax on profits that you effectively made along the way.

I'll just donate the amount collected less what I'll have to pay in taxes.
This will STILL benefit the customer in reduced software costs, the
programmers in revenue they would otherwise not have had, and the great
State of Texas in tax revenue due to open source sales

-Richard