🚀 go-pugleaf

William Metzenthen (billm@suburbia.net) wrote:
: For me, one of the important things about S.u.S.E. is their ethic
: of returning something to the Linux developer community.  They
: offer complimentary copies of their distributions to Linux
: developers.  It's nice to have some tangible recognition for your
: efforts.  The only other Linux supplier which I know to do this is
: Caldera.

Hi Bill,

Red Hat also have a great free software ethic.  Erik Troan of Red Hat
(ewt@redhat.com) recently wrote this in response to someone with
similar concerns:

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Let me tell you some of the ways we're addressing all of your points
though.

   - We send out hundreds of free copies of Red Hat
   - We give significant amounts of money to Linux International, the LDP,
     and the FSF (we're one of the FSF's top American sponsors)
   - We sponsor shows like Linux Expo, which flies in developers, literally,
     from all over the world
   - We mention the Linux community in press releases, our manual, and on
     our web site
   - We are *committed* to including source, GPLing our products, and 
     making all of it on the web site.
   - Our new support program (www.redhat.com) is designed to help the
     Linux community do more high-end consulting by giving them a framework
     and credibility.

This is just a small list, and by no means complete.

Red Hat considers itself part of the free software community. Many of Red
Hat's employees (including myself, Michael K. Johnson, and Christian Gafton)
made real contributions to that community before we were hired, and
have continued to do so. Red Hat's management and investors believe that
Linux's primary strength is it's development model and will not do anything
to disrupt that. Believe it or not, our marketing folks and primary
investors are as fanatical about free software our developers are.
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Regards,
--
Geoffrey D. Bennett (geoffrey@netcraft.com.au)
Computer Systems Manager, NetCraft Australia
http://www.netcraft.com.au/geoffrey/
Red Hat Linux Resellers: http://www.netcraft.com.au/redhat/