Re: [OS:N:] K12 and Red Hat

[Chris Spencer <CSpencer CAIT org>]

On Wed, 2003-03-05 at 21:34, Colin Mattoon wrote:
> On Wed, 5 Mar 2003 17:24:40 -0800 (PST)
> David Tisdell <penguintiz yahoo com> wrote:<various concerns about
> RedHat support for schools -- which I clipped for brevity>
> 
> I'd ask myself this...If I'm running a handful of Linux servers, do
> they take so much administrative effort that I really need RedHat's
> assistance?

Red Hat has a good thing going with the Red Hat Network.  Certainly
there are mirrors available that provide the updates but it is nice to
get the email letting us know something needs attention and why it needs
attention.

It's not so much that you can call someone up and ask for help as it is
that you get notification of problems and have the updates readily
available.

Red Hat deserves to be paid for that service but they make it impossible
for small government groups to purchase by requiring the $2000 minimum
for Purchase Orders.

The point made by David is absolutely right on the head.  It's
frustrating.  What happens is that the organizations that go to Red Hat
for the RHN subscription are turned away.  Certainly Red Hat would make
more by taking the money.  

In our case we have 4 or 5 computers we would be happy to put under RHN
enterprise.  We are just biding time until we reach the $2,000 PO.  

Red Hat seems to be an anomaly turning away good money for what reason? 
It boggles our minds.  Maybe they should just outsource it.

Chris
-- 
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