> Interesting. Minix and Coherent were both that cheap and were both
> much better than Linux for several years.
I personally switched to Linux initially because it didn't cost me
anything. I could only afford the $99 for Coherent, and barely that.
I knew immediately that Linux was better, and did things neither
Coherent or Minix could even early in the game.
I have always believed in software freedom, long before hearing of
GNU or much about UNIX, so Linux really just proved to me that I
was right about something and that it could really be a great thing.
> The technical advantages that they now have is due to their success
> and freedom.
Yep. I'll note that most companies that do well, have a similar
model of development, they just keep it internal to them.
I think though, you have to realize that the free software world is
heavily subsidized by the non-free world. Even Richard Stallman
came from the military-industrial complex since most of what he
initially knew was created or funded by the same.
Of course, a lot of the early efforts paid for by places like DARPA
were freely exchanged, and I think the move away from that is part
of what Stallman was motivated by.
-- Shannon - shendrix@widomaker.com - InfiNet? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of grass and not fall off the face of the earth."
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