Re: [cobalt-users] OSRCD (slightly off topic?)

["Steve Bassi" <steve@xxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerald Waugh"
Subject: [cobalt-users] OSRCD (slightly off topic?)


> Hi,
>
> Sun has sent us (frontstreetnetworks.com / raqware.com) notice
> requesting that we can no longer provide our OSRCD service.
>
> They claim we are selling their software at a profit!
>
>
> We do all this for $50.00 + shipping, we might be breaking even on the
> service!
>
> What do you think?

1. I think, if you might only be breaking even - then why bother?

2. Many people offer maintenance services for RAQ's etc and effectively this
is what you are doing in my opinion. However I can see also see Sun's
concerns.
They also sell their OSRCD, and your activities may be seen as having the
ability to affect their own sales. AND however you look at it, it is their
software, you are just tweaking it.

3. What concerns me is, what happens if Sun says, ok we are not obliged to
put the OSRCD online for free download and because of abuse of our
"generosity" we will now withdraw it and in future if you want an OSRCD,
then you will have to buy it from us.

4. I would think that a discussion with SUN to try and reach an agreement,
with perhaps the consideration of paying some form of royalty, would be a
more prudent approach, even if this means increasing your sales price.

Personally, I know how upset I got when I upgraded apache for the RAQ3 and
found people using my script and charging others for upgrading machines.

This seems like a personal dispute between you and SUN and think that
perhaps, that should have been how it remained.

Finally, as you are hardly breaking even, why not put together an FAQ for
people and publish it here,  so that they can make their own version of your
OSRCD.

I am sure Sun would not object to that.


Rgds Bassi