Posted by: DCallaghan
on November 14, 2003 01:48 AM
For Linux in general, the difference between Basic and Professional versions may be additional out-of-the box configuration options and/or different support options. The out-of-the box configuration options is SuSE Pro include more advanced networking tools like Samba, DNS, DHCP etc; management tools like Mr Project; development tools; remote admin, etc. You can, of course, configure these options in the Standard version. Remember, Pro doesn't always mean hacker; sometimes people need this networking functionality out of the box and a happy to pay for it. And, sometimes Linux pros add up their possible time spent and decide to go with this type of distro. BTW, buying the standard version doesn't necessarily mean that you will have to learn more. The source is always open and the potential for problems are always there;)
Also, while Linux has great free support like LUGs, newsgroups, documentation, etc, the home office tech support can be a beautiful thing. In my case, I once had to set up an RS/6000 to serve thin clients so I bought the PowerPC Pro version because I wanted as much SuSE support as I could get! Worth every penney, too!
You can contrast the Basic and Pro editions of many Linux distros with the Server options that they have. These have functionality which you would likely be ill-advised to try and add by updating the sources from the Basic version. Sometimes there is proprietary software used and othertimes you just may not want to trust yourself to roll your own unbreakable cluster. (Note that the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 now supports thin cient networks and I had to hack my own out of the Pro version, but still!)
This is different in Windows. Try to load Project Server 2002 on a XP Home edition and you will realize that no amount of hacking or customer support will help you!
So, yes, Linux distros will charge you more money for more product, as will MS or any company selling anything. The nice thing to know is that with Linux, in all likelihood, you can trade time for money and get knowledge!
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Re:Actually a question.
Posted by: DCallaghan on November 14, 2003 01:48 AMAlso, while Linux has great free support like LUGs, newsgroups, documentation, etc, the home office tech support can be a beautiful thing. In my case, I once had to set up an RS/6000 to serve thin clients so I bought the PowerPC Pro version because I wanted as much SuSE support as I could get! Worth every penney, too!
You can contrast the Basic and Pro editions of many Linux distros with the Server options that they have. These have functionality which you would likely be ill-advised to try and add by updating the sources from the Basic version. Sometimes there is proprietary software used and othertimes you just may not want to trust yourself to roll your own unbreakable cluster. (Note that the SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 now supports thin cient networks and I had to hack my own out of the Pro version, but still!)
This is different in Windows. Try to load Project Server 2002 on a XP Home edition and you will realize that no amount of hacking or customer support will help you!
So, yes, Linux distros will charge you more money for more product, as will MS or any company selling anything. The nice thing to know is that with Linux, in all likelihood, you can trade time for money and get knowledge!
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