[TriLUG] Redhat's Success Under New Model

[Scott Chilcote]

Hi Folks,

I'm wondering if Redhat has factored the marketing value of their highly 
popular, if under-purchased workstation product into their new business 
model.  There may not be enough people actually paying for the boxed 
set, but they've gotten a lot of word-of-mouth advertising from the many 
technical people in corporations who enthusiastically use their product.

I wonder if most geeks have moved on to some other distribution(s) in a 
year or two, whether there will still be a strong following for Redhat 
in corporate circles.  Their boxed set was visible in bookstores and 
software stores, too, often by itself with no other distributions present.

Redhat may have to replace all of that widespread, direct knowledge and 
product recognition with advertising.  I wonder if they'll find their 
choice cost effective when this is factored in.

I hope Fedora is good enough, and becomes popular enough to maintain 
their success.  I have gained much as a Linux and open software user 
from their success.  With the growing opposition of SCO and M$, I really 
want them to hang in there.

--
Scott C.