From: ericy@hal.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Eric Youngdale) Subject: Re: Stabilizing Linux Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1992 01:46:47 GMT
In article <Bt1u3u.3zv@world.std.com> dsb@world.std.com (David Boyce) writes:
>To summarize: issuing releases is an incredible drag. Especially
>the ones after the first. The problems are caused by the requirements
>of paying customers. Thus, I think the burden is best left to
>those who have said customers. Let them also take charge of when new
>releases are required, release nomenclature, packaging, etc.
>Since Linux is freely distributable, we can "steal" their work
>right backs for our purposes.
I think you may misunderstand the market. The "paying customers"
mainly want a source for linux that does not depend upon network access or a
modem. My sense is that the CDROM manufacturers (at least the ones that I have
been in contact with) are not interested in a lot of release engineering. I
gather that they will take a snapshot of the tsx archives, and combine this
with a snapshot of a working linux system, put that on a disc and call that
Linux. They are not under any obligation to do more than this. (The disc will
also include a complete set of gnu sources, in case anyone is wondering).
It also comes down to pricing. If the disc is very inexpensive, then
there is no reason to expect them to do very much. In fact, the Walnut Creek
GNU/X11 with sparc binaries CDROM has a list price of $39.95. The disc with
the simtel archives has a list price of $24.95, and they have several others in
this price range. (I have also seen these disks discounted at computer flea
markets by about 15%). I do not know what their pricing plans for the
linux/386bsd/gnu disc are, but it would not surprise me if the prices for that
CDROM were comparable to the others.
Theoretically, someone may do the release engineering, and then
try and charge 500$ for the disc. They would certainly be allowed to under
the GPL, but they would have to compete with the 30$ disk. I would not want to
hold my breath waiting for someone to try this.
-Eric