Re: [cobalt-users] Chilisoft got owned

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on 3/28/00 10:13 AM, Dan at dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

>> I consider this an absolute insult to the people that have really made
>> Cobalt the company that it is.  I'm not saying the Cobalt folks
>> haven't done
>> a lot of great work internally, and turned out some decent products.  I am
>> saying that it seems as tho the CEO of Cobalt 'Just doesn't get it' as far
>> as supporting the Open Source projects.
>> 
>> I'm going to take my money to VA Linux.
> 
> He does get it. He owes it to his stockholders, not the open source
> community. Cobalt is a business.

I agree that he owes it to his stockholders, but he also owes it to his
employees, customers and the people that build the software they use.

I am in no small way responsible for the success Cobalt has achieved.  If it
weren't for people like my to rally support of VARs like the one I was with
to start selling and supporting Cobalt gear, they never would have sold
squat.  I've been responsible for sale of dozens and dozens of their boxen.
By alienating me, they are alienating their customer base, and that has a
direct effect on the health of the company, stock price, and ultimately the
shareholder.

I would highly recommend purchasing the "Cathedral and the Bazaar" by ESR
(avail. at Amazon.com, published by O'Reily) for anyone who thinks that
OpenSource software doesn't represent a viable business model.  Running a
business and supporting OpenSource are not mutually exclusive.  Look at what
Netscape, Redhat, VA Linux (especially) are doing.  I actually would highly
recomment CATB to anyone who is in technology or business--I am dead serious
when I say its probably the best $11.95 you'll ever spend.

-k