Linux going to be big in China 3739

The idea that Linux users are unwilling to pay for software is a fallacy. It might be true for a few fringe users, but most are no different from any other consumer... they will pay money if they feel they are receiving value for it.

This holds as true for the enterprise software users buying multi- million dollar middle tier Linux apps as it does for the consumers buying desktop Linux apps like MainActor. If a free app is available and will do the job, I might make the logical choice and choose that, but that does not preclude purchasing a commercial app if it meets my needs better. This is what we call a 'compebreastive market place'. :)

Of course access to source code (or at least adherence to open standards) is increasingly becoming a requirement for many software buyers as they attempt to avoid vendor lock-in. This does add an additional challenge for commercial software companies trying to stay compebreastive, but the smart companies are figuring it out. It all comes down to where you add value; is it only in the software itself, or in the expertise you bring to the customer?

Thad

P.S. SkillTrek should go beta with its Linux training software in a few weeks... I'll post something when it does.