[Bush2000]

Who *buys* Linux, anyway?

[Tennessee_Bob]

So sales are down on a free software package??

[mykej]

Nobody "buys" linux. Many people buy support for linux. Red Hat's per server license is for support, not for the operating system itself. (Note, RH may include commercial software in some bundles that requires a license fee, but never for the OS itself.)

The only reason to buy support is a) it is going on a mission critical system that can have 0 down time or b) you feel more comfortable if you have somebody to yell at.

Most enterprise level software generates much more profit on support, for those two reasons, than they do on license fees.

[Wisconsin]

We run a total of 14 copies of Linux. We paid for one ---and that really was because we needed it on dvd and did not have a dvd recorder.

We do subscribe on two to a support network.

[blackfarm]

I bought a Insider ASubscription to lindowsOS for 2 years for 99 dollars. Its a great Little distro. Xandros due out in September will be worth paying for as well.