In article <kssijiINN1el@utkcs2.cs.utk.edu> battle@cs.utk.edu (David Battle) writes:
quoted text
>
>I would like to know how Linus feels about the distribution/support
>situation.  I imagine his feelings would be much more positive.

Ok: I didn't comment before, as I hadn't much to say, and I'll just make
my standpoint clear here once and for all, as people seem to be
wondering. 

I feel that if David is serious and willing to take on anything like
what he suggested, it certainly can't hurt anyone.  If people are
willing to pay for David's services, it means they are wanted, and he
shouldn't be discouraged.  What he proposed is certainly allowed by the
copyright, and I think some of the reactions were a bit harsh. 

Naturally, I'd feel even happier if /I/ got all the money off this
enterprise, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want to bother with all
the distribution problems etc, so I have only myself to blame (*).  If
somebody wants to make the same services available as David, I'll be
happy, but I don't feel it's a good idea to try to undercut David just
because of a I-wrote-parts-of-it-why-should-David-get-the-money?
sentiment. 

I can't say I made any "sacrifice" in writing linux and making it freely
distributable: I enjoyed most of it (bug-reports aren't fun, and I
/hate/ hardware-dependent bugs, but they are interesting), and I got out
as much as I gave (if I hadn't made it public, I'd probably never had
implemented some features I now think are indispensable).  Also, most
persons sent me diffs well aware of the copyright: admittedly it changed
between versions 0.11 and 0.12, but I made it clear at the time, and
nobody minded it then. 

I hope David makes it clear to potential customers what linux is and
that it is available for free if you want to take the trouble to find it
and set it up - his service would be just that: a service.  If people
find it worth the money, then everything is fine.  The amount of money
he makes is irrelevant.

                Linus

(*) I also didn't want to make linux "guilt-ware", so I have even tried
to avoid asking for voluntary donations.  Sometimes I'm too stupid for
my own good.