3 ms·

>> No they can't. ... virtually every single software issue requires a bespoke solution that will take specific knowledge of that specific piece of software. T

>> No they can't. ... virtually every single software issue requires a bespoke solution that will take specific knowledge of that specific piece of software. The best Linux kernel hacker will still need to spend days to learn how to fix a bug in GNU sed. And the majority of bugfixes take at least a couple of days of dedicated work, and often require access to the specific environment where the issue reproduces You say, "No they can't" and then say it might take a few days. When I stated that I hire a car mechanic to fix my car, I do so because I do not have the specialized knowledge and tools to do it myself. Software is the same way. If your C software needs a fix, you can hire a C developer to examine it, find the problem, and fix it. Yes, it might take a few days depending on the complexity of the software, but it IS possible and most professional software developers would be able to do it for the right price. >> No it can't. There are 0 examples of GPL software being sold commercially. There are many examples of GPL software sold commercially: https://www.oracle.com/java/java-se-subscription/ https://www.oracle.com/java/java-se-subscription/ https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enter... https://www.cloudera.com/products/cloudera-data-platform.html https://www.cloudera.com/products/cloudera-data-platform.htm... >> What you can do is sell consulting services for free software, but we're back to B2B only. These are not just "support contracts" or "consulting services", they are subscriptions for the software. Support and consulting is usually available to, but at additional cost.

simiones 3y ago
> Software is the same way. If your C software needs a fix, you can hire a C developer to examine it, find the problem, and fix it. Yes, it might take a few days depending on the complexity of the software, but it IS possible and most professional software developers would be able to do it for the right price. Ok, let me rephrase: the cost will not be something the vast majority of users can afford. It would be a strictly B2B thing, with a few ultra-rich clients using it as well. > There are many examples of GPL software sold commercially: Java is free (as long as you don't forget to upgrade). RHEL is completely free, you only pay for a support subscription (and upgrades? I don't remember exactly). I'm not sure what Cloudera is or what they are selling, since the website is terrible, so maybe that's one example? > These are not just "support contracts" or "consulting services", they are subscriptions for the software. Support and consulting is usually available to, but at additional cost. Neither Java nor RHEL stop working if you don't pay your subscription: they are support contracts, offering either support for old versions or upgrades. I should also note neither of them is (normally) sold to consumers - they are both positioned as B2B offerings.

simiones 3y ago

> Software is the same way. If your C software needs a fix, you can hire a C developer to examine it, find the problem, and fix it. Yes, it might take a few days depending on the complexity of the software, but it IS possible and most professional software developers would be able to do it for the right price. Ok, let me rephrase: the cost will not be something the vast majority of users can afford. It would be a strictly B2B thing, with a few ultra-rich clients using it as well. > There are many examples of GPL software sold commercially: Java is free (as long as you don't forget to upgrade). RHEL is completely free, you only pay for a support subscription (and upgrades? I don't remember exactly). I'm not sure what Cloudera is or what they are selling, since the website is terrible, so maybe that's one example? > These are not just "support contracts" or "consulting services", they are subscriptions for the software. Support and consulting is usually available to, but at additional cost. Neither Java nor RHEL stop working if you don't pay your subscription: they are support contracts, offering either support for old versions or upgrades. I should also note neither of them is (normally) sold to consumers - they are both positioned as B2B offerings.