Re: [OT] Linux and GTE

["Anthony E. Greene" <agreene pobox com>]

David Talkington wrote:
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: wadeh mail redhat com [mailto:wadeh mail redhat com]On Behalf Of
> > Wade Hampton
> > Sent: Thursday, September 30, 1999 8:45 AM
> > To: Redhat List redhat
> > Subject: Re: [OT] Linux and GTE
> >
> > 1.  This is a problem for the Linux community.
> 
> Yes.
> 
> > 2.  This is an unfair business practice (clear support
> >     of a monopoly).
> 
> I respectfully disagree.  GTE is under no obligation to support an operating
> system that they don't understand.  It's got nothing to do with Microsoft;
> GTE just doesn't feel comfortable saying that Linux will work, knowing that
> they'll be responsible for tech support if it doesn't.  They have to stick
> with what they understand and know they can support.
> 
> > 3.  If the O/S supports DHCP per the RFC's, there
> >     should be NO ISSUE.
> 
> Agreed.  So set up a Win box and lettem do their thing.

So he'd either have to break the Win9x EULA or buy a Win9x license just to
get a cable modem installed.

The real culprits here are those people that will complain, lie, and try to
get support for their unsupported systems even if they agree in writing not
to do so. Otherwise the company could just have users that have unsupported
operating systems sign a waiver that says they understand that they will
receive extremely limited support from the company: "All our equipment
appears to be working, thank you for calling.<click>"

Some people will agree to these terms, then complain later that the company
should support them anyway. Of course such people tend not to be the types
that try Linux, but the company is just being cautious.

--
 Anthony E. Greene <agreene pobox com>
 Homepage & PGP Key <http://www.pobox.com/~agreene/>
 If it's too good to be true, it's probably Linux.