Microsoft's free update service is the envy of the open source and mac communities. Call it a corporate line if you want, but that doesn't change the fact that I've received every update for Win2000 since Feb 2000, major and minor, free of charge. (I'm running Win2000 service pack 4.) They promise updates for 7 years on their operating systems, and thus far have delivered.
In contrast, Mac charges for major updates. Red Hat only offered support on any given distribution for one year. After that, they force you to upgrade to the next version. And that's even for their paying customers, like me. Of course, we know how they dumped their desktop line OS altogether, leaving many left in the lurch. How's that
Ok and this differs from Linux how? I have never paid for a Linux update..
Red Hat only offered support on any given distribution for one year.
Gee I better call them and tell them the patches I am getting from the legacy project should be taken off the site because you say they only give them out a year.
A couple of problems with that statement.
1) Redhat is not *Linux* its a company that sells Linus Products, like Suse..
2) Its just plain wrong, Redhat offers one year of helpdesk support, the produce the updates going back to RedHat 7.2 which is more than three years old.
3) In addition to this the YUM servers receive updates directly from the projects (like FireFox) so if there is an update you get it.
4) Finally Major updates (like the new versions) are Free.
After that, they force you to upgrade to the next version. And that's even for their paying customers, like me.
Again that Bunk Im running AS2.1 servers that are still being updated through RHN and will be for the next three years (at least).
Of course, we know how they dumped their desktop line OS altogether, leaving many left in the lurch
Oh yea, no desktop edition of Redhat Nothing to see here move along. They may have change their pricing model (which did tick me off) but they still offer a desktop edition. In addition to this there is Fedora Which is a redhat offering for free, and which picked up where redhat 9 left off.
Dont know too much about Mac but my Mother and Wife seem to get updates for free...