Linux licensing, commerical packages, small businesses

[KoalaBear33]

I have some important questions about Linux. Let's say I want to install Linux for a small business. When I say Linux, I am referring to Linux+bundled software (in other words, the whole distribution, not just the OS).

Can I download and install one of the free COMMERCIAL distributions (say Red Hat for example) in a home office without paying anything? If yes, is there a limit to this? Can I install it on as many PCs as I want?

Does anyone run a small office? Has anyone installed Linux in a small office? Do you recommend purchasing licenses (i.e. boxed sets) for each machine (assuming that it can be had for free as described in the previous paragraph)? Or do you use a mix (eg. purchase boxed sets for servers but use free stuff for clients)? I guess one would purchase one box for sure (for manuals, CDs, etc). But do they purchase the software for each computer?

I'm confused about Linux deployment and how it is adopted by companies. On the windows side, you pretty much have no choice. You just buy windows for each machine (and if it is a server, you buy licenses as needed). But Linux is confusing since it is on one hand "free" but on another hand not so free.

KoalaBear33

[MorphiusFaydal]

ok, you can do it several ways. you can buy linux for every machine, you can buy linux for the servers and d/l it for the workstations, or you can d/l it for all of them. The only difference i know of between boxed sets and d/led versions is the amount of software you get with them. Buying the box sets just supports the cokmpany that makes the specific distro. if you dont want to pay, you dont have to. you can d/l linux and then donate money via PayPal or something to the manufactuturer.

[sasKuatch]

Last I checked, you could install it all you want without paying a penny, though some distros are freer than others. Generally, I'd say knock yourself out.

[JamminJoeyB]

The documentation that comes with a boxed set will also come in handy for helping new users get used to Linux.

Just how many systems are you thinking of switching over?

Do you have any proprietary apps that may not have a Linux port/equivalent?

Somethings to think about.

[root.veg]

If an individual program is free (as in speech) then you can install it on as many machines as you want and run it for whatever purpose you want. This applies whether you downloaded that piece of software, or got it from a boxed distro. So far so good. GPL-licensed (ie copylefted) software requires you to provide source code if you re-distribute it, but that doesn't stop you installing and running it as you wish.

The only problem is if the CDs in a boxed distro contain some software that is not free (as in speech). If so, you may be on dodgy ground if you start copying software to other machines, because the distro installation could possibly copy non-free software without you necessarily knowing or noticing.

Most of the time this isn't a big deal I gather. However, it seemed incredibly difficult to keep track of for me personally (don't run an office or anything!). So I switched from SuSE to Debian. I could have just installed Free Software only from SuSE, but then I couldn't lend the CDs to my mate with a totally clear conscience because he could end up violating the non-free licenses. It's just a personal issue, really - I want to be able to say "here, borrow my CD and make as many copies as you like cos it's all Free Software".

If you check with most distros the *vast* majority of the programs *are* Free Software, and you just have to ensure that you obey the licenses of any non-free software included with the distro that you install. How you do this is up to you.

[root.veg]

Actually I've just remembered the most important example: SuSE's installer YaST2 (or whatever it's called nowadays) is *not* Free Software as I recall. However, I couldn't work out how to find out what license it *is* under. So I'm not sure if it permits multiple installs for any purpose or whatever. I could have maybe worked it out by rtfm-ing, but that's my point: all I have to do nowadays is read the Debian Social Contract and I know that anything in the main distribution is Free Software.

[LrngTheHardWay]

Originally posted by KoalaBear33
Can I download and install one of the free COMMERCIAL distributions (say Red Hat for example) in a home office without paying anything?
Yes and no. You won't have the "additional software"/"software extras" CD which comes with the "Professional" retail distribution.

If yes, is there a limit to this?
In theory and practice, No. (Downloaded ISOs)

Can I install it on as many PCs as I want?
Yes. (Downloaded ISOs)

Does anyone run a small office?
Yes.

Has anyone installed Linux in a small office?
Yes.

Do you recommend purchasing licenses (i.e. boxed sets) for each machine (assuming that it can be had for free as described in the previous paragraph)?
(The situation with RedHat has changed, so the answer has to take that fact into account.)
Licenses, in the traditional, money-grubbing, devoid-of-ethics, monopolistic, Micro$oft meaning is a mis-nomer and doesn't apply to RedHat and many other distros.
If you mean a RedHat Network subscription for each machine...without reservation, Yes.
If you're talking retail packaging and manuals, the answer used to be yes, but it'll probably boil down to having enough manuals for at least 50% of the computers in a particular site.
We'll see.

Or do you use a mix (eg. purchase boxed sets for servers but use free stuff for clients)?
It used to be boxed-sets for all computers, but that'll probably move enough into the "mix" category to moderate some of the pricing changes that RedHat has rolled out in the past week or so.
(There's no more 1-year free basic entitlement for downloaded ISOs anymore, and we knew that was coming.)
Again, we'll see.

I guess one would purchase one box for sure (for manuals, CDs, etc). But do they purchase the software for each computer?
If I'm dealing with a cheap-skate, my first worry is one of getting paid without spending six-months on somebody's AP sheet. I have 5 kids to feed, and another one in grad school. ($$$$!)
If push comes to shove, I'll get the site a single "Professional" boxed set for the boss's machine (his/her ego-trip), install the downloadable ISOs on the rest of the equipment, and an "Enterprise Level" subscription to RHN for every motherboard in the place.
(I want those machines grouped!)
Overall, it might be a better way to go.....
........but, we'll see.

RH9 is too new for me to start rolling-out, and my folks are used to skipping an iteration or two; BUT, it *is* looking good so far. Some people are asking about it in a way that tells me that I'll be busy this summer.
Hopefully, I'll get some hardware orders to sweeten the pot.

[El_Cu_Guy]

Even with licensing GNU/Linux is still a better value. Generally (there are exceptions to every rule) they are much lower than the competition (MS).