Dave.Smith@st.com wrote:
On Tue, Mar 26, 2002 at 10:35:45AM +0000, hwm@onetel.net.uk wrote:
There is so much talk that Star Office is no longer available as a free bundle with Linux SuSE 7.3. or 8.0.
Everybody talks about alternative programs but I still do not know if it has officially been confirmed that Star Office will no longer be available free of charge.
AY,
Sun have removed the free beta of their new version (S06). When it is released, 6.0 will be free for non-commercial use, but commercial users will have to pay a license fee.
<snip>
BTW, all this information is hearsay and rumour quoted from memory...
Earlier posts to the list give more details, and are more official sources than myself.
HTH...
Actually, you can go to Sun's web page and read the details for yourself: (http://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/2002-03/sunflash.20020319.1.html). The say definitively that Star Office 6 will no longer be free. Also mandrake released details of their inclusion yesterday (http://lwn.net/daily/mandrakeSO6.0.php3). They also say that they have to now pay Sun for every copy they bundle or upload. They have a license that allows them to distribute a fixed number of copies and they have to account for every download and CD. That's why they only allow download for silver members and above. Sun says the price will be nominal. That can mean different things to different people but I think a commitment to only use software that is free is in beer is a bit radical. I don't mind paying a reasonable price for a professional quality and fully supported office suite. Hopefully there are enough of people who agree that we won't miss yet another chance to show software companies that including linux in their list of supported OS's isn't financial suicide. Hell, if this works maybe quicken will be next! Just my .02 JHS