Re: [cobalt-users] Sun considering a shift away from Sun Linux to RedHat/Suse

[Thom LaCosta <baltimoremd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 11 Mar 2003, Jalon Q. Zimmmerman wrote:

>
> ok, once again I'm going to plug "web://cp" http://webcp.can-host.com/

Sigh...the resellerdemo doesn't seem to work...unless of course their
servger is overtaxed from cobalt-users folks trying it.

>
> You say they dont do price fixing? Then why are they all periodic "lease"
> licenses, set high enough that the small operator has a pretty hard time
> getting into the game? Why cant they sell me a software package for a
> one-time fee? If I stop paying, my lease is terminated and the software
> reverts to the supplier? I dont think so...

Old folks like myself will remember a $5000 IBM XT...folks actually bought
them.  And until there are alternatives to the overpriced stuff, we'll all
have silent partners.

 >
> The exact same conditions apply in the ISP/hosting billing software
> market - but there are a few good options out there like ModernBill that
> are breaking the price barrier.

Price is not the only consideration.  When I was active in searching for a
billing solution I found not only high priced offerings with steep
entrance costs and/or monthly costs that were obnoxious at least, but also
many packages that may have been the delight of a computer nerd...but were
a disaster from an accounting viewpoint.

I'm afraid that since we're in a relativly new business area, and it's
internet related...we're gonna suffer from high prices and shoddy
products/support.


Thom