Re: Redhat 6.1

[Dan Frasnelli <dfrasnel alphalinux org>]

> Sure you will... that's what I love about GNU/Linux is that you can just go
> and build your own distribution/system to fit your every need/want/whim.
> It can take some time but it's a blast.

	I'll probably step on somebody's toes with this statement, but 
I don't think RedHat gives a hoot about their Alpha port.  This should
come as no surprise; the Alpha port does not bring home the bread & butter
like the x86 'cash cow' (and at $80 a pop, quite a fat cow it is).  
	Several months ago, I spoke with two software engineers at RH
about Linux in general and the Alpha in particular.  I had hoped to
hear some positive comments for use in an interview/article for the ALO 
website.  The phrase "openly hostile" best describes their comments and
attitudes about Alpha systems.  I realize you cannot extrapolate corporate
direction from the comments of a couple employees, but they made it sound
like very few people in the company felt the Alpha port was worth their
effort. 
	I relayed the info back to the other ALO members, and needless to
say we were a bit miffed.  Debated whether or not to go ahead with the
article, but eventually backed off.  It was probably the best decision at
the time..  RedHat is just doing what every big company does - allocating
the most funding and time towards what returns the greatest dividends.  
I'm sure that cash funneling in from Intel comes into play somewhere, but
I won't touch that speculation. 

	Do you guys feel a modern Alpha-dedicated distribution (hailing
back to the days of Blade) is best, or whether integrating Alpha ports
into existing distros (SuSE, Debian, etc.) would be better in the long
run?    

---
Dan Frasnelli
Security analyst