Shoutbox

well plus is very different from a whole OS
im just saying that if i didnt know about linux and someone came up to me and said do you want a good OS for free id laugh at them. so i dont know.
i have real trouble understanding how linux can be that great as well as being free.
actually, just wondering how do they make their money?

Linux is open-source, this means that the person who developed it originally let everyone see the source code for it and modify for it for their own use. Many companies have done this and sell the software as a full operating system.

The free copies of linux are usually made for the sake of making your own operating system.

It is possible to make huge wads of cash from a free operating system in at least two ways:
1. Redistributor of pre-burned ISOs (there are many vendors of Knoppix discs for example).
2. Offer complete solutions including tech support e.g. Red Hat Enterprise Desktop and Server.

quote:

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Originally posted by mad_onion
just wondering how do they make their money?

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the fact that you can legally get a free copy of a distro of linux doesn't mean that you (or someone else) can't sell copies of it. In fact, the companies of linux (SusE, RedHat, etc....) make money selling thier OS with technical support, big manuals, etc... They also earn money when they say conferences, etc... Sumarizing: Just what raceprouk said....

quote:

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Originally posted by mad_onion
well plus is very different from a whole OS

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yes, of course, however both are programs designed and developed by people. The fact that they're or aren't free or that you can or can't see its code has nothing to do with if they're good or not.

I agree with Choli and Raceprouk, but might add that you don't HAVE to make money out of it. You can also program for fun, and because you just did it for fun, why not share the fun with others and open-source it? And there is no company that makes linux. And linux companies make money out of support and nice manuals with the boxed versions. Big companies want support, so that if (for whatever reason) something goes wrong, they can just call someone.

Windows for games
Linux when i feel bored and want to experiment with an open source OS
Mac OS X for everything else

Windows for gameing
Linux for experiments
Mac OS X for all the imageing sorta stuff....I pretty much agree with sasquatch