On Fri, 2003-10-03 at 07:37, John Andersen wrote:
On Thursday 02 October 2003 06:00, Ken Schneider wrote:
It's all perception. Vendor "A" has ver. 8.2, vendor "B" has ver. 9.0 so vendor "B" must have a newer and better product. Even though they are both the same product.
The sad part about it is the Linux compamies should know better. This is the marketing droids takeing over again.
Any one even thinking of running linux usually has someone to tell them which numbers really matter.
I am normally not very marketdroid-friendly, but in this case SuSE might be (sadly) correct to listen to the droid. If SuSE want to compete on the shelves of the computer store and want to reach the average computer user, as well as the PHB, then they have to up the version number. I have never thought of the impact of teh version number in a marketing sense, as I also prefer that the version numbers are bound to technical information, but I have heard an opinion that made me understand why RedHat and SuSE upped the numbers. A newbie made the remark that he loves SuSE 8.2, but unfortunately it is an old distro. Mandrake and RedHat is much newer. So I had to explain the whole meaning of version numbers. Unfortunately SuSE and RedHat is moving into a market where they are aiming at people who do not have access to a Linux geek. Up to now most people got introduced to Linux by a friend, or co-worker who knows linux, but that situation is changing. Linux is now sold in Computer stores and it is being included in business deals as part of a sulution. When Joe Only-knows-Windows walks into a computer store to buy the new craze - Linux, he will go for the highest version number. He has been trained to think like that. Same thing, if I would for instance propose a database solution to a customer, based on SuSE 8.3, while my competitor offers a similar solution based on RedHat 9.0, the customer will lean towards my competitor, becasue they offered newer software. Linux companies wants to enter the world of markedroids, so they have to play the game. This is the sad reality. I don't like it either. :-/ -- Andre Truter Software Engineer Registered Linux user #185282 ICQ #40935899 AIM: trusoftzaf http://www.trusoft.za.net ~ If you are in control, you are going too slow - Mario Andretti ~ Disclaimer and Confidentiality Warning This message is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are notified that any distribution, use of or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received the communication in error, please notify the sender immediately. The views and opinions expressed in this message are those of the individual sender of this message and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of ATIO. Consequently, ATIO does not accept responsibility for such views and opinions and this message should not be read as representing the views and opinions of ATIO without subsequent written confirmation. Each page attached hereto must also be read in conjunction with this disclaimer.