__/ [ Da'Punk-A ] on Wednesday 17 May 2006 23:53 \__
> M wrote:
>> <quote>
>> Ubuntu Linux has gained more than 2 million users worldwide since its
>> release in October 2004, according to Canonical Ltd., a small vendor on
>> the Isle of Man that oversees the software. Most are home users.
>> </quote>
Oops. I posted a duplicate, not realising from the subject line that it
refers to the corporate push at Canonical.
>> That is quite impressive considering that it's not been going that long,
>> and it doesn't come pre-installed.
>
> I wonder how they came up with that 2 million figure? I got Ubuntu
> via their shipit program, where they mail you CDs. They encourage you
> to order multiple copies to give away, as the cost of sending 1 CD and
> 5 CDs is the same. So I ordered 5 CDs but I've only given 2 away so
> far. I hope they're not counting my order as resulting in 5 users.
With packages delivered over the Web, I suppose they could count unique IP
addresses. It doesn't account for machines that have Ubuntu wiped or those
that may be dual-boot though.
>> <quote>
>> Ubuntu Linux has gained more than 2 million users worldwide since its
>> release in October 2004, according to Canonical Ltd., a small vendor on
>> the Isle of Man that oversees the software. Most are home users.
>> </quote>
>>
>> Welcome news, particularly for corporate customers.
>>
>> <quote>
>> If you want to buy a support contract, it is there for you. [But] there is
>> no premium version [of Ubuntu] that costs money.
>> </quote>
>>
>> I like that :-)
It boggles the mind, slightly. I just hope they don't pull a Novell or pull a
Red Hat. Crippled versions of an O/S (e.g. Freespire/Linspire) -- that which
excludes support (community) and commercial, CSS components -- is not ideal.
>> <quote>
>> We're also happy for you to get support from someone besides us. We list
>> companies on our site that provide that -- we're up to 200 around the
>> world.
>> </quote>
>>
>> I must confess that I am a little mystified by this *very* laid back
>> approach that Canonical seems to have. I didn't think their finances where
>> so good that they could afford to let business slip through their hands.
There is a whole network of 'bodies' (companies, foundations and so forth)
revolving around Ubuntu. I can think of at lease 3, but can't name them. If
this whole initiative ever becomes extremely profitable, then last week's
statement from Shuttleworth would seem iffy. He said that Ubuntu is costing
him many milions, which he enjoys spending. This whole situation reminds me
of WordPress.org, where people offer free support. Later on, WordPress.com
emerges, which is moneymaking. It stems from and depends on a community that
works/ed voluntarily.
> I read an interview with Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth, he said how
> he'd set it all up with plenty of cash so if he were to die tomorrow,
> Ubuntu could still merrily carry on. Ubuntu has proved so popular so
> quickly, I don't think they need a moneybags underwriting them. But it
> certainly gives them a lot of space to play in.
>>
>>
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=111188
Also see:
Upcoming Ubuntu Linux to be enterprise-ready
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;366151104;fp;16;fpid;0
Best wishes,
Roy
--
Roy S. Schestowitz | "Life is too short to proofread"
http://Schestowitz.com | Free as in Free Beer ¦ PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
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