Re: [cobalt-users] The next step...

[Bruce Timberlake <bruce@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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> Okay, since Sun/Cobalt has apparently EOL'd RaQ4's, what's the next
> step? Are the 550's going to be around for a while?

Projected lifespan was 18 months from launch (sorry, can't remember 
when that was - March 2002?).

I believe the EOL policy is: once a product is EOL'd by Sun, they are 
supposed to provide sustaining support for at least 3 years (might be 
5 -- I'm pretty sure it's five years for their "real" products, but I 
think Linux products were being treated differently).  What that 
means isn't clearly defined though - is that just super-critical 
patches for discovered exploits?  Patches whenever they feel like it?

Given Sun's current/apparent lackluster interest in Linux products 
(especially the appliances) and Sun's overall financial/staffing 
status compared to the competition, I wouldn't give great odds that 
any sort of Cobalt patches will be available from Sun 3-5 years from 
now...

But that's just my personal opinion.  If someone who is still employed 
in the Sun Cobalt/Linux Engineering, Sustaining Engineering or 
Product Management groups can give a more definite answer, I highly 
encourage/request that they do, either here or on the website 
someplace.  Too many questions are being raised on this list and 
others, and an official statement from someone who can make one would 
go a long way towards easing people's minds (or giving them the 
proper motiviation to either develop a replacement themselves, or 
begin researching alternatives now, ahead of any potential looming 
crisis).

<aside>
This is why there's a small (but growing) group that's trying to 
figure out a way to develop a parallel or replacement support and 
upgrade service for _all_ Cobalt products...  discussions have begun 
on the CobaltFacts mailing list (http://www.cobaltfacts.com/ to sign 
up), as we don't know how permanent the resource of cobalt-users will 
be.
<aside />

- -- 
Bruce Timberlake

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