Re: [OS:N:] RE: N:] RE: Updating Expensive?

[Chris Spencer <cspencer@cait.org>]

On Fri, 2003-10-10 at 07:56, Brian E. Adams wrote:
> If you figure the cost of Windows is fixed and the cost of RHN is annual,
> then you're right, it can get more expensive.
> 
> However, to RedHat's credit, you can have a single machine subscribed to RHN
> via RedHat's demo account.  You'll be required to fill out surveys
> periodically, but if running Linux is your goal, this is a small price to
> pay.


The goal for most of us is freedom, not using Linux.  

When I was in grade school I was told that with our justice system
innocent until proven guilty was the rule.  We were told that it was
better to let 100 criminals back onto the streets than to put away one
innocent person.

With DRM and the strong arm tactics pushed by RIAA and Microsoft we see
that's not true anymore.  Already 12 year old kids who didn't even know
they were doing anything wrong are subpoenaed and brought to court and  
people who have legitimate rights to use software are prevented (as was
mentioned yesterday on this list).

The irony here is that the dozens of corporate executives from dozens of
companies who fraudulently hid from the public their wrong doing and are
guilty of billions of dollars in damages have walked away almost
entirely free of any punishment.  

Yet the 12 year old kid was fined and forced to pay.


I look at the cost of proprietary software and instead of seeing the
pricing go down over time...I have noticed it trends up.  Why is that? 
Is it because as an installed user base gets larger it is harder to
support and therefor costs increase?

No, it's because as the installed user base grows and people become more
used to a product they are less likely to leave and willing to pay more.

Now how can I trust a company (ANY COMPANY) that has the legal right to
do whatever they want with pricing and licensing and has already proven
itself hostile to it's installed user base (As mentioned yesterday on
this list) and increases prices as they lock people into their product?

Trustworthy computing?  DRM?

Good luck.  

It's about freedom. 

-Chris



_______________________________________________
Subscription and Archive: https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/open-source-now-list/
-
For K12OS technical help join K12OSN:
<https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn>