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Free Red Hat 6.0 CDs
Anthony Fuentes writes "You can pre-order the GPL Redhat 6.0 CD at LSL for $0.00. "
This looks legit- shipping looks like about $8 for UPS, but
it does appear to be a free CD, so if you aren't blessed with
a T1, check this out.
I am not sure how useful it is to donate money to free software projects, after all, the people involved aren't doing it for the money. Other things, like donating code, good detailed bug reports, donating documenations, etc. are probably much more effective.
If you do choose to donate money, I would highly recommend the FSF. I have tried to donate money to three free software projects and only the FSF routinely cash my checks. One project never cashed any of my checks and didn't even return email inquiries about them.
The FSF, on the other hand, has been very professional and seems to be the best organized. For example, the only "problem" that I had with them is that they sent me a new "GNU's bulletin" for each check that I sent them, which I considered a waste of money. One note to them fixed the "problem" completely.
If you do consider trying to contibuted non-code related things to any free software project, I would suggest sending them an email first asking them what would be most useful to them. If they say "money would be good", I would suggest sending them one small check and see if they cash it. If they do, send more checks and/or a larger checks. Remember, processing checks takes effort, and it isn't the "fun stuff" of the project. If a project doesn't cash your check or want your money, don't begrudge them. They are volunteers and are putting time/effort into the organization out of the goodness of their hearts.
Anyway, as I said in the beginning, contributions of your time/effort seem to be more effective than contributions of money.
SPF support for most open source mail servers can be found at libspf2.
Here's a listing of places that you can download an ISO of the RedHat 6.0 CD, courtesy of Ars Technica.
w ig.i386.iso9660.gz
. iso9660.gz
ftp://o su-linux.capital.ous.edu/pub/linux/redhat/iso/hed
ftp://pricie.ccl.kuleuven.ac.be/pub/rh 60.iso
ftp://ftp.s ervers.cx/pub/mirrors/linux/hedwig-27apr1999.i386
Guys..check out CheapBytes The CD is only for $6.99 including UPS. SO what it cheaper ?
$76.95 seems high? Really? For an operating system that competes against Windows NT Server? I don't suppose that you've priced that package lately. Oh, and check out the license...how many computers can you install that copy of NT on?
I bought RedHat 5.1 for $50. Ditto for 5.2. Yeah, it's a 50% increase in price, but I think that I'm still getting good value for my money.
$76.95 is the MOST that you'll pay for Red Hat. Or you can buy it for a couple of bucks from CheapBytes. Or you can download it for nothin' from that high speed ethernet connection at school.
Why do you suppose that RedHat charges what they do? Because it's not a slap-dash mix of whatever Linux-related stuff is out there. They do compatibility testing and fix what doesn't work. They paid the programmers to develop Gnome. And they pay a ton of money to have a call center to answer installation questions.
The thing that I find so remarkable is that they've added tremendous value to the product, yet you or I can download it for nothing on the Internet. With the source code. Nobody else does that.
And for what it's worth, pop over to your local computer store or out onto the 'net and see what Windows 98 full version sells for. Then decide who's charging too much money. As a hint...it ain't Red Hat!
People who receive a gratis CD with free software from a developer could send him the money saved, to encourage him to write more free software or manuals.
Most programmers and technical writers can contribute by writing software and documentation for GNU. That is the most direct way to contribute to the GNU Project. But if you can't or don't contribute in that way, please donate money to the FSF instead.
To donate to the FSF, simply mail a check to:
Free Software Foundation
59 Temple Place - Suite 330
Boston, MA 02111
USA