🚀 go-pugleaf

Here in comp.os.os2.misc, "J. Clarke" <nospam@nospam.nospam>
spake unto us, saying:

>"Richard Steiner" <rsteiner@visi.com> wrote in message
>news:W/ml4oHpvGoR092yn@visi.com...
>
>> Why else do you think I've registered dozens of shareware packages over
>> the years?  And why else do I continue to purchase "official" versions
>> of the various Linux distributions I use here (Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE,
>> etc) instead of getting the $2 version from Cheap*Bytes?
>>
>> Because I like supporting the authors.  Period.
>
>Well that's fine.  So how much _does_ Linus Torvalds get out of each copy
>of Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE, etc?  Personally I pay for those to get the
>bundled commercial apps.

Linus is but one of several dozen kernel developers now, essentially
the "project leader" if you will.  He started things, but it's hardly
just his show anymore, and he is no longer "the author".  Other people
like Alan Cox, Stephen Tweedie, and Andrea Arcangeli are deserving of
support as well, at least if you think kernel development is important.

However, a typical Linux distribution is a LOT more than a kernel, and
some groups like XFree86.org and others also deserve support, IhMO.

Most of the major distros come with very few commercial apps anymore
(Red Hat used to include some in the 4.x and 5.x days, but no longer). 
Unless you're counting the demo disc?

I generally pay for the official versions initially because I like the
fact that many of the creators of the more "modern" Linux distributions
are adding value in terms of installation and administration routines,
security updates, package management, and other things.  But I also
continue to buy subsequent "official" versions because I want to give
those folks support in what little way I can.

>Now, what percentage of the potential customer base for an OS/2 device
>driver for a relatively new sound card feel the same way you do?

I have no idea, as I speak for only myself.

Please be aware, however, that I've already *paid* for sound drivers
for both Linux and FreeBSD here (OSS from 4Front Technologies), and
OS/2 would be no different for me.  I've already put my money where my
mouth is at $30 a copy on those other platforms to get decent Creative
Labs AWE32 and AWE64 support, and would certainly do the same for OS/2
support for a newer card if I had one.

Of course, my five main boxes use AWE32 or AWE64 variants right now,
but a new gaming box probably wouldn't.

>> I don't register crippled software at all as a general rule, but if I
>> see something I think is cool, I'll pay for it out of principle, or to
>> encourage further development, or sometimes just because I happen to
>> like the author.
>
>And you like some faceless Taiwanese software company enough that you
>want to support them?

I might.  I pay for a lot of software here from companies all over the
planet.  What are they writing that I might care about?

>As for "further development", how much development does an OS/2 device
>driver for a sound card _need_?

If written correctly the first time?  Not much.  ;-)

-- 
   -Rich Steiner  >>>--->  rsteiner@visi.com  >>>---> Bloomington, MN
     OS/2 + BeOS + Linux + Solaris + Win95 + WinNT4 + FreeBSD + DOS
      + VMWare + Fusion + vMac + Executor = PC Hobbyist Heaven! :-)
     We learn from history that we do not learn anything from history.