[KLUG Advocacy] Re: [KLUG Members] Linux tutor.

[Robert G. Brown]

I got involved with Linux more as software developer. As a working pro
for about 30 years now, I can say that Lunux represents the *BEST* value I've 
ever seen for software development activity. If I didn't think so, I would
simply WALK AWAY from Linux, since whatever it costs to buy software to do my 
job is a cost of doing biusiness, and will either be funded by a client/
employer or passed along to them.

To me, what is impressive is how robust the tools are, and how complete the 
coverage of disciplines and functions are as well. I've come to notice the
amount of extra effort that is required to maintain licence files and licence
servers, and if it were broken out as a seperate cost people would be quite 
surprised at that sum, IMO.

I come from a commercial UNIX and IBM mainframe environment, with a smattering 
of Windows-based work. ki found Linux VERY EASY to get used to, since it is 
very much like the commercial UNIX systems from the point of view of the user 
and developer.

The reason I wrte that it will take years is that it has ALREADY taken years,
and it takes time to reach everyone and overcome the advertising juggernaut
that some software/OS vendors can fund. However, I also expect that Linux
will become a lot more popular a lot more quickly than it has until now; it
has already acheived acceptance in many key communities (Academia, R&D, pro-
duction servers, engoneering and finance) and is ready for additonal growth,
into additional areas...

							Regards,
							---> RGB <---


On Fri, 03 Oct 2003 13:59:57 -0400, Adam Williams <adam@morrison-ind.com> wrote:

>> Oh wow.  So how long do you think it will be until people catch on that 
>> they don't have to spend $300 a year on an operating system and
>I caught on when they wanted me to pay $149 for Windows 95.  Yeah
>right!  And then $300 for a compiler!  Oh, and $199 for a barely
>functional database package.  And $200 for a word processor!  Yikes!!!

>I got an Iggrasil Linux CD for $10.00 and a copy of Word Perfect for
>Linux for $189.  The compiler and the database - well, it was a choice
>of which one, for a cost of $0.00.
Yggrasil. Didn;t change the price, but made it harder to figure out how to 
pronounce! :)

>If you install Ximian take a tour of System->"Administrator Settings", 
>alot can be done their without resorting to the command line.
>This probably belongs over on the advocacy list now. :) [Preempting the
>list master].
Here we are.

>>  $1500 a year on a computer system?
>Hey, but that part is fun.  At least I get something for my money.
Right, and you can recycle the hardware after losing the toy software.