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Last-Mile Fiber Optic
Johnny Mnemonic writes "The newsletter "The Town Paper" tracks the development of "traditional" new developments--developments with integrated shopping, parks, and that are pedestrian friendly. Their recent issue has an article that describes a new community in Issaquah WA that has, among it's interesting features: a wired LAN in every home, free community Intranet, and a choice for a fiber optic connection. It is probably no coincidence that Microsoft is planning on building 3 million square feet of office space there. How much is a pre-wired house worth to you? What will this do for community building?"
On the first month of home sales, Red Hat should offer fresh boxed copies of Linux (yes, with the usual support) to each new resident. Just drop off the promotional crate with the sales agent; it's just like some laundry detergent, barbecue briquette or furniture coupons that other subdivisions offer their new home-owning residents.
How about Linux missionaries riding their bicycles through the neighorhoods?
(The doorbell rings, two young men dressed in simple black and white clothes waiting.)
homeowner: Yes?
missionary: Hello, sir. Have you ever tried Linux?
homeowner: Isn't that a laundry detergent?
missionary: Only in Germany, sir. Would you be interested to know that you don't have to buy Windows every two years?
homeowner: I think you're an encyclopedia salesman! And I like Windows.
missionary: Why not give Linux a try? Here, I'll install it for you. (pushes door open and runs for computer room)
homeowner: Hey, get out of here! I'll call the police!
(2 hours later...)
homeowner: (robot voice) I like Linux. I hate Windows. RMS is a god. I must tell my friends.
missionary: Very good sir! See you at the next LUG meeting, then!
A dingo ate my sig...
Actually was a company a couple of years ago that did this called Darwin Networks. They ran a pretty good service until they went bankrupt.
Natural selection at work, I guess.
GF.
Lots of petrified grits