>> >> JV> with its SCO holdings. I don't think much of commercial
>> distributions>> JV> of Linux and even less of them these days,
>> >>
>> >> putting them all in the same bag doesn't do justice to some.
>> Without>> SLS and slackware, there would be no linux today.
>>
>> > That's hard to say for sure, but I don't want business involved in
>> my> basic operating system ever again. I like it the way it is
>> now, but
>> > don't mind the thought of paying for apps and hardware at all.
>>
>> I believe I have found the apropriate analogy to what Linux is
>> all about.
>>
>> 1.  You are born with all basic freedom, Air to breath, Sun to
>> warm you,
>> Water to drink.  You are just about guaranteed a mother that
>> will see
>> to it that you grow to appreciate that you need to work for
>> needs beyond
>> the basics.   Thus life it self is free.
>>
>> 2.  One of your needs is a computer, so you buy one that the
>> mfg. installs
>> Linux on.  Since the mfgr. can get free copies of most any
>> Linux dist.
>> Basically all he should charge for is the cost of getting
>> free Linux dist.
>> and install time plus the cost of hardware, and assembly and
>> testing.
>> The rest of Linux beyond the kernel is mostly free but those
>> that make
>> those contributions sometimes need to make a living so the
>> like to charge
>> for there work.
> their
>> 3.  If you buy a computer with Windows you are paying for a
>> license to use
>> your basic freedoms.
>>
>>
>> Maybe this will make sense this way;
>>
>> Born+Mother+computer+linux - you only work to pay for hardware
>> and extra programs.
>>
>> Born+Mother+computer+windows - you work extra to pay for the
>> basic life within the computer and everything else from then on.
>>
>> Warren Hrach
> Very well said, Warren. I am trying to ween both Win98se boxes now
> and use my Linux Box Server more. Old habits are hard to break.

> Ol'wdb

Hi Warren,
    Some of the latest sales tactics by S. Ballmer include offering
Tiger-Direct comp. mfgr. a special deal for every lindows box customer they
get they can buy winXP for $50.   They are hoping to eventually coerce the
mfgr.
to drop windows and sell only M$.
I am not concerned with Lindows sales but that shows how they hope to defeat linux.

Warren

--- BBBS/LiI v4.00 MP