Zend seeks a sustainable open-source model

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Apples and Oranges

"Are you saying that when someone working on say Linux see's IBM pulling in billions from their work it has no effect on them?"

That sums it up because IBM does not sell just "Linux". It sells, equipment, support, bespoke software and global services, usually as a package. It is not the same deal. If they didn't use Linux then they'd use AIX or something else, but they would still do the sale.

To use the fireman analogy (and this is only an example) - would you think it reasonable to compare what you do to a company offering fire and rescue services across a state (or country) including paramedics, building insurance and trauma counselling? If such an organisation existed it would be the fire world equivalent of IBM.

Linux is at the base of the pyramid and other services and products add value to the proposition, but not everyone can provide those extras and it is the extras that make the money. Even when selling AIX, the bulk of IBM's money comes from support and not from OS sales.

Posted by: bportlock   Posted on: 02/02/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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