Oracle Linux!?

[gtmtnbiker98]

Just read where Oracle has officially entered into the Linux community by introducing another distro titled "Unbreakable Linux," or something similar. The way I understand it, it will be along the same lines as CentOS; however, Oracle will provide the patches and kernel updates. With Oracle providing R&D I can see the entire Linux community benefiting. Oracle's subscription will be $99 per year per machine with 1-2 CPU's. I just wonder how this will impact Red Hat, after all, everybody is taking their hard work and rebadging their product from underneath them.

Like I've said in the past, open source is wonderful but it is not a business model for which I would want to be involved from a corporate existence standpoint.

[techieMoe]

I can't really say how I think it will affect Redhat, because I'll be the first to admit I know nothing about running a business, particularly a large corporation. However this fellow thinks it's a bad idea:

http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS7753065928.html

I generally agree with him on most of his opinions... but I'm not so sure this is a "the sky is falling" kind of thing. Of course, I'm also of the opinion that regardless of whether Redhat or Novell were to fold tomorrow, Linux would live on as long as there's a single solitary programmer out there who still wants to maintain it.

[gtmtnbiker98]

Thanks for the link, Techiemoe, he really puts an interesting perspective on the issue. Although the sky may not be falling, there are a few definite dark clouds on Red Hat's horizon.

[techieMoe]

Thanks for the link, Techiemoe, he really puts an interesting perspective on the issue. Although the sky may not be falling, there are a few definite dark clouds on Red Hat's horizon.

I can see SJVN's point where this is a bad thing for Redhat, certainly. Where I'm not so sure is when he says it's a bad thing for Linux in general. Much as I may not like to admit it, companies like Canonical (corporate side of Ubuntu) are doing quite a lot for Linux and will likely stay afloat even if Redhat doesn't. I think the same thing applies to Novell. Of course, Novell isn't a strictly Linux company either, so they have something to fall back on should their corporate Linux offerings go south, which at this point is pretty unlikely, IMO.

[alanbcohen]

As suggested earlier, it is a relabeled Red Hat version. It is free to download and use with support options cheaper than from Red Hat itself (at least for now).

The email I sent to DistroWatch:
FYI,

Here in the States, Oracle has released it's linux and it is available for download. 4 CD's and another 4 CD's of source. Copied from Red Hat, of course (being the major competition in their market).

Here's the registration link:
http://edelivery.oracle.com/EPD/GetU...r=LinuxWelcome

Disclaimer:
I don't work for Oracle; I used to work for Oracle/PeopleSoft in applications delivery. I just thought you would find this interesting.

[techieMoe]

Here in the States, Oracle has released it's linux and it is available for download. 4 CD's and another 4 CD's of source. Copied from Red Hat, of course (being the major competition in their market).

Here's the registration link:
http://edelivery.oracle.com/EPD/GetU...r=LinuxWelcome

Wow. I just read through the license they use for the 30 day trial. Here's some excerpts:

I. LICENSE GRANT: ...This Agreement grants you the temporary right to use the Programs for evaluation purposes on the single computer designated by you.

...If you decide to use any of the Programs after the end of the Trial Term, you must acquire a license for each Program from Oracle. You shall not: (a) remove any product identification, copyright notices, or other notices or proprietary restrictions from the Programs; (b) use the Programs for commercial timesharing, rental, or service bureau use; (c) cause or permit reverse engineering, disassembly, or decompilation of the Programs; (d) disclose results of any benchmark tests of any Programs to any third party without Oracle's prior written approval; or (e) duplicate and/or install the Programs other than as specified in this Agreement. Either party may terminate the license for the Programs at any time. Upon termination or expiration, you shall cease using the Programs.

II. TERMINATION: If you do not obtain a Program use license at the end of the Trial Term, you shall (a) cease using the Programs, and (b) certify to Oracle that you have destroyed or have returned to Oracle the Programs and all copies. This requirement applies to copies in all forms, partial and complete, in all types of media and computer memory, and whether or not merged into other materials.

I really hope they're talking about any commercial software made by Oracle in that license, because they don't have the right to add more restrictions to their distribution of Linux.

[gtmtnbiker98]

I actually started and later terminated the download after actually reading the EULA. I'll stick with my normal distros and will avoid this one until the dust settles.

[cousinlucky]

I am glad that I tried doing a little research on this Red Hat vs Oracle thing before coming to LinuxForums and discovering a thread already in existence.

I do not know a thing about Oracle but their Website looks like a Microsoft clone and a trap. I am sure this thread is going to further enlighten me as to what all the hoopla is about.

[techieMoe]

I do not know a thing about Oracle but their Website looks like a Microsoft clone and a trap.

Obligatory Slashdot/Fark reference: It's a trap!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AckbarStanding.jpg

[cousinlucky]

Will the Oracle vs Red Hat discussions and controversy cause " Linux " to be more widely looked at, and perhaps purchased, by the general public with all of the recent bad press about Window's new Vista os?

good link TechieMoe; I remember that scene from the movie. Oracle seems to have its software geared to keep its customers always on the dependency hook.