[L98Fiero]

"...but golden eagle says all open source people are commies who hate capitalism and money!"

I don't know Golden Eagle but I kind of share the sentiment. I won't paint with that "all" brush but a great deal of the open-source preachers I know are exactly that. They get simply giddy when something bad happens to a large company, especially Microsoft or other big software companies.

Then again, I do know some, a small minority, who are not that way.

When I have an issue with an open-source product and I can get someone flown here in 24 hours at someone else's expense to support it, I'll be all over it. Until then, I will deal with established, reputable companies who support their products. I also have a single point to address grievances should they arise, legally and professionally.

Nothing against open-source but sometimes when we purchase software, we expect a lot more than code in a box.

[flashbunny]

" I also have a single point to address grievances should they arise, legally and professionally."

Try suing microsoft when something goes wrong. You're not likely to get very far.

"when we purchase software, we expect a lot more than code in a box."

That's why this approach and the approach of the other open source companies makes sense: Give away your product if someone wants it, but if they need support, charge for it. And you can get support and product together for a cost much cheaper than either of them with a vendor like microsoft.

Plus, the number of support companies that specialize in microsoft products should tell you that thinking microsoft will be there to provide all the support you need is rather silly.

One good thing about microsoft: They practice of creating buggy and bloated software creates a lot of ancillary markets for support - and ever faster processors.

[N3WBI3]

When I have an issue with an open-source product and I can get someone flown here in 24 hours at someone else's expense to support it, I'll be all over it.

IBM..

[Knitebane]

When I have an issue with an open-source product and I can get someone flown here in 24 hours at someone else's expense to support it, I'll be all over it.

You were saying?