On Sun, 7 Sep 2003, Jay Smith wrote:
> Red Hat's recent change in their product release cycle strategy has major
> negative implications for a small business such as mine.
>
> A couple years ago I was able to assume (excuse me!) that when a major Red
> Hat linux version was released that I would be able to install it and keep
> using it for 2-4 years. That I would be able to update it, install
> security patches, and even upgrade it for 2-4 years.
[snip]
> Red Hat has turned that on its head. They split their product line into
> two major directions:
>
> 1) Inexpensive/free product but with short product cycles. This is where
> all the new stuff would be available, etc. However, within a year or two
> they would no longer be supported, including security fixes would not be
> offered.
[snip]
> 2) Costly product with very long product cycles. Little or no enhancement;
> it is pretty much locked down. However, security updates and the like would
> be available for a long time.
I hear you, and I hope someone from Red Hat hears you too. Make sure by
dropping them a line or giving them a call.
A few months ago, I soliticed comments from uk.comp.os.linux regarding
demand for a backported errata service for EOL RH distros. I got one
response, and there wasn't much money in it. I hope that someone is able to
make a go of such a service - there seems to be the demand for it, but I'm
not sure people are prepared to pay what it costs to offer (there can be
several days' work involved in backporting a single package - especially
major packages such as the kernel or XFree). :(
> Jay
Best Regards,
Alex.
--
Alex Butcher Brainbench MVP for Internet Security: www.brainbench.com
Bristol, UK Need reliable and secure network systems?
PGP/GnuPG ID:0x271fd950 <http://www.assursys.com/>
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