🚀 go-pugleaf

> I absolutely agree. However, this has been my experience.
> 
> For the last three years I have been offering to install fully configured
> Linux systems for the District government, for free; I have provided them
> reams of hardcopy documentation, stressing the completely open and free
> nature of Linux; I have even offered to simply _give_ them a harddrive
> with Linux pre-installed and set up ready to go for any 486-or-better
> machine with an SVGA card [1]. The system was a clone of a Slackware-based
> system that I've had running without software fault for nearly four years,
> mostly rebooting for hardware upgrades. It's loaded with security,
> firewalls, masquerades, and in fact could have done Virtual Private
> Networking.
> 

<Excerpt>

The LINUX install fest isn't about any of that anyway.  The DC-LUG 
install fest is to help individuals who are "newbies" and need a
helping hand getting over the hurdle of installing an OS on a PC
and getting the drivers and options configured so they can start
using it.  The important thing is that *IF* they want the help it
is there.

I think we should relax, be friendly, let Linux sell itself.
Dell, HP, SGI, are all selling Servers with LINUX pre-installed.
It won't be long before they are selling PC's with it.
Then the commercial application development will come.

If people want Linux they can use it, if they want windows let them
have it, the whole great thing about GPL software is that it offers
a choice.  Don't try to force anything on anybody.  

Start a petition to local government requesting a law that PC hardware
be offered for a price that is not bundled in *ANY* way with Software
or OS.  Software and OS's may be installed for customers, but the
install price must be based on an hourly or category rate unrelated 
to the brand name of the Software/OS being installed.

This way hardware vendors could even offer free
install and config.  But they would have to offer it free for all
OS's..


-Ben.