[Westbrook]

Red Hat Enterprise Linux has been using this marketing model for at least 10 years now.

The difference is that with Red Hat, the software and all the source files are free.

However, if you want updates and security fixes, you need an annual subscription. IIRC, there are three levels of tech support, silver, gold, and platinum, starting at $50/year for silver support for a single system. There are probably discounts for multiple users and enterprise subscriptions.

Alternatively, there is Red Hat’s CentOS, which is completely free, including sources, and tracks Red Hat Enterprise Linux, release for release. CentOS includes updates, but tech support is limited to their user forum and your favorite search engine.

I think Ubuntu Linux runs on a donation basis.

Don’t know offhand how the other Linux flavors make their money.

[farming pharmer]

Red Hat Enterprise Linux has been using this marketing model for at least 10 years now.
The difference is that with Red Hat, the software and all the source files are free.

However, if you want updates and security fixes, you need an annual subscription. IIRC, there are three levels of tech support, silver, gold, and platinum, starting at $50/year for silver support for a single system. There are probably discounts for multiple users and enterprise subscriptions.

Alternatively, there is Red Hat’s CentOS, which is completely free, including sources, and tracks Red Hat Enterprise Linux, release for release. CentOS includes updates, but tech support is limited to their user forum and your favorite search engine.

I think Ubuntu Linux runs on a donation basis.

Don’t know offhand how the other Linux flavors make their money.

Slackware (which I use) is still a donation basis. A well deserved donation, I might add.

[__rvx86]

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