jim wrote:
> I have been chatting with people about my frustration with getting simple
> stuff to work "out-of-the-box" with Linux.
>
> Things like simply plugging into a network and being able to browse XP
> folders on a peer to peer XP network (that means no server and no
> authentication needed) that are not password protected. Still don't have an
> answer to that one....
>
> But, yesterday, I ran into a shining example of one reason that FOSS will
> never work for small business (which is MUST to be able to legitimately
> challenge Microsoft's monopoly).
>
> While I was testing some software in a Linux environment, I came across an
> area in which it would not work as advertised by the authors. I raised some
> polite concern (really...I was polite) about the problem in a user forum
> specific to this software, only to be told politely to rtfm.
>
> I re-rtfm. The problem persisted, so I raised my concerns again. Again I
> was told to rtfm. Again I re-rtfm and returned with the same questions that
> were unanswered by the manual.
>
> This time I was politely informed where I could reach the authors of the
> software. I went there and we went through the whole rtfm, re-rtfm loop
> another 2 or three times until they finally asked to see my data. I sent
> them my data files.
>
> In about an hour, they confirmed that there was a problem. Great! Now
> they'll jump right on it - because everyone wants their code to work like
> they say it will, right?
>
> Well, not really. I offered to help where I could (sacrificing a goat,
> providing beer or money) but was told that the only help needed was to fix
> the code. Unfortunately for me, I don't know C coding - so I am SOL.
>
> Small businesses (which are 90+% of all businesses) are called "small
> businesses" because they are small. This generally means no in-house
> programmers. So, small businesses are at the mercy of the coders that
> provide the software that they run on.
>
> In this instance, I am at the mercy of these coders.
>
> As nice as they are, this "I'll get to it when I can" attitude is just not
> acceptable to small businesses. They lose market share. They lose
> customers and they lose money when software doesn't work as advertised in
> tfm.
>
> This is why FOSS just doesn't work for the majority of businesses (which are
> small businesses).
>
> While I move on to look for proprietary sources to replace the broken open
> sourced software, I am again reminded that the FOSS movement still "just
> doesn't get it" where small business is concerned.
>
> If it doesn't affect your earning a living or some other important aspect of
> your life, FOSS may be just fine. But, if its important, its important
> enough to pay to have it done right and supported.
>
> jim
>
>



Why don't you preach to you're believers. After all you really don't
want the truth.
I have no problem with Linux cooperating with MS. But try to get MS to
cooperate with Linux that's another story.I really think you need to
talk to Dennis, Hadron, and Jeff Glatt.
I do have my own "small business" and have had for 30 years.
Go some where where someone wants to listen to you.
caver1