I guess what I am attempting to express is that I hope the Open Source community model doesn't fizzle out some day due to lack of funds.
~James I agree with you. Well said Rich -- Rich Matson Reno, Nv. USA
i agree too, but track with me on how i see the fund-world vs. the free-world complimenting each other. 0. i got suse 9.0 for free. 1. i liked it so much i stopped using redhat/fedora and bought full copies of both suse 9.1 pro and suse 9.1 personal, one of only two distros i've used that were so impresive that i felt they easily deserved they money that was asked for them. 2. then i bought suse 9.2 update 3. and now i bought suse 9.3 update 4. directly from my input and influence, the gov't organization i work for has already implemented several suse linux servers and is now considering purchasing thousands of OES licenses and the associated support contracts because younger admins like me who are impressed by and familiar with suse are pushing for change from the inside... and it all started with me getting a free copy of suse 9.0. i've personally answered thousands of questions on various forums from people with problems, to show them how linux can meet their needs. THIS is the spirit of the oss community model, THIS is why it works, and THIS is why the oss community model is not going to ever fizzle away no matter how much money you throw at it or take away from it. move over bacon, OSS is here to stay! [insert your own rousing national anthem here, because oss is for all the world, not just those who can afford to pay for it.] there's no reason to fear or badmouth the free side of the oss community, we compliment each other. stephen