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[PLUG] RH Enterprise Linux Purchasing Woes
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I'm not sure if anyone is even considering moving to RedHat Enterprise
Linux in a production environment but it has some advantages that are
making me consider the ES version...5 years of security upgrade support
being the main one, I really don't want to upgrade every year with the
free products. I also don't mind paying a little bit each year to
support RedHat so they can offer this level of support.
Here's the issue, I work for a non-profit that can only make purchases
via purchase orders. We have NO company credit card (something to do
with the state). RedHat has the following bizarre rules (please take
note that these fees need to be renewed every 12 months so the headaches
keep coming back).
1. No POs for orders under $2,000.
2. Online CC payment only for the cheaper $349, unboxed, downloadable
version of RedHat Enterprise Linux ES (the only difference between the
$799 and $349 is the lack of install media and level of support...12x5
versus 24x7 and I do fine without any support at this point. All I want
is the product that has a 5 year life cycle. Actually, I'd be happy with
a 2 year life cycle but 1 year just doesn't cut it).
3. You can't get the $349 version through a reseller, only through
RedHat (but the $799 is available through resellers).
4. This doesn't really effect me, it is just wierd. The $799 includes
free version upgrades. The $349 version needs to be repurchased any time
you want to do a version upgrade (not really a problem if you only do
version upgrades at the end of your 12 month term).
Is RedHat the only company that does this no PO deal? I essentially have
to spend money on something I don't need just so I can pay for their
product. This is almost getting as crazy as Oracle licensing. I don't
believe I'm saying this, but I can buy Microsoft licenses easier. Debian
here I come.
Sorry, just had to vent. Any thoughts?
Jason Wertz
Senior Technology Specialist / WebMaster
Delaware County Community College
ph: 610-325-2771
fax: 610-325-2820
http://learn.dccc.edu/~jason
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