[NTLUG:Discuss] Re: Linux article

[Greg Edwards]

Chris Cox wrote:
> 
> I do think that as more and more hardware manufacturers come out
> with drivers, the smart ones being willing to push open source
> drivers (this enables them to keep up with quick pace of
> Linux development), that we'll see even more commercial sw
> apps on Linux... and probably even more open source sponsored
> commerical apps.
> 
> Send good positive messages to those supporting Linux.  Give
> them some bucks, buy their products... let then know they
> matter (ooops, that might have been a Linksys advertisement).
> 
> 
> I'm excited.
> Chris
> 

The point I think allot of the open source community is missing is that 
when "it HAS to be an open source product or I won't use it", nobody's 
gonna build it.  Look at the amount of grief that we've given NVidia for 
releasing closed source drivers, and they were free.  Companies are in 
the business to make a profit and open sourced software is counter 
productive to making a profit.  Whether we like it or not, the IP of a 
high-tech company is it's life blood.  Many apps will never see the 
light of day without a real chance for ROI.

When the open source users start buying software off the shelf the ISVs 
will start filling the shelves.  There are no real reasons for companies 
to overlook Linux, except the lack of buying customers.  The issues 
involving MS and the distribution channels are rapidly becoming mute due 
to the ability to buy online and completely bypass Best Buy and others. 
  If Intuit thought they could increase sales by 15% by just releasing a 
Linux version you'd see it by the end of the year.  The companies that 
sell high end graphic engines and engineering tools knew that their 
products would net a sale, even though they were closed source, so they 
offered it.

JMO,
-- 
Greg Edwards

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