On 09/12/10 18:41, Sean Miller wrote: > The "spirit of Open Source" suggests that CDs/DVDs should be supplied "at > cost", but what determines "cost" is open for debate. > > There is the media, of course... but there's also any documentation you > choose to throw in, your time burning the CD and posting it etc. > > I don't think the fella on e-bay deserves any flames or whatever - he is > doing nothing wrong, as far as I can see.
Some people are totally happy to pay for an item. In fact, the more it costs may add to more interest in perceived value. I used to be a long time Windows user. My first venture into Linux happened to be with Suse. I was perfectly aware that it could be downloaded, but had never actually done this. My Windows world experience had taught me many things, including that personal downloads were somehow *tainted*. I very happily purchased a retail pack of Suse 9.0 for around 60 UK pounds from Amazon. I knew this included two paperback manuals, dvd of source code, and I think both live and install CDs. It *also* included 6 months telephone support. In the event very little of any of that was needed by me. I did call the phone line once or twice but the support on the forums was equal and excellent. I never regretted paying what seemed to be fair price. However as my confidence in the community grew, so did my ability to judge between 'free' gratis and 'free' Free software offers. -- alan cocks Ubuntu user -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
