What is a Fedora anyway...???
 

Just was thinking, I assume more peole know about RedHat than they do about Fedora, why would RedHat want to give up the RedHat name?

Just wanted to get a feel for who knew about Fedora before they merged with the new Micro$oft of Linux.

Well they not giving up the RH name, but will be using it to associate it with the business section of their company, the Enterprise market.

Fedora will be associated with the consumer market. It is more of a marketing move, I guess.

Fedora has been out since July '03 with the first beta using that name. I assume it would have been RH 10. The next latest release should be coming sometime this month hopefully.

incidentally, a Fedora is a type of hat...when you look at a Red Hat box, the actual "Red Hat" is in the shape of a Fedora.

"Fedora before they merged with the new Micro$oft of Linux."

Oxymoron isn't it?

Re: What is a Fedora anyway...???
 

It would be good to have this statement unpacked a bit; specifically, what you do mean by 'the M$ of Linux'. What makes a company the M$ of Linux or for that matter the M$ of anything?

Could be interesting....

bl

I will get pounced on here, but I'm not so sure that what Red Hat has done is
a bad thing. This is just an indication of where LINUX is going....professional.
Isn't that what we always wanted? But it's also Open Source and FREE for those
who use it at home. It will produce enterprise-class Linux products for professional
use, well tested and extremely stable that will get reviewed, get GOOD reviews, and
give companies that run ENTERPRISE outfits a really strong reason to go to
Linux and chuck Microsoft.

To COMPARE what Red Hat is doing with what Microsoft IS or HAS DONE is not
fare. Do you think that Microsoft would provide a cutting edge, free operating system
for people to use and have fun with? Would Microsoft SPONSER that? Is Fedora
a big risk for US to use? That is yet to be seen, but from what I have seen so far (test
one was a little rough....) by the time test three was out...things are pretty good indeed.

Hey, if updating with the latest "test" stuff once installed is too risky, it can be used as is
out of the "box." If you like to have fun, you can do WHAT YOU WANT with it. And it's
still FREE. ALL of the established ENTERPRISE Linux companies will be doing \
something like this. Novell just aquired SuSE today! Is that bad? NO...it's just showing
the extreme worth and excitement about Linux. Isn't that what we want?

There will ALWAYS be free, fun distro's to play with and even work with for us junkies
to have fun with.

I just see Red Hat as the First to do this and of course, that's logical as they are one
of the oldest.

They are GIVING us Fedora....why the complaints?

OK...now pounce

Very well said Bobmiester. I've had this same conversation a few times in the past few days and I really think that RH is doing a good thing. I think this makes linux look more like a "real OS" too. Who knows maybe all this stuff will give linux it's greatest need for the desktop...more hardware support.

This summerizes it well IMHO...

Red Hat's exit from the desktop is disheartening to some Linux partisans but makes perfect sense for the company. In the end, Red Hat has to put its shareholders' interests above the idealistic dream of displacing Windows on the desktops of non-corporate users. This speaks well of Red Hat's management; it's focusing on the bottom line and allocating scarce resources to areas that will bring the highest possible return for the company.

No doubt the Linux purists will be on the march, decrying Red Hat's decision as either "blasphemy" or a "betrayal" of the open source movement. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Linux world needs a strong Red Hat and should support Red Hat's moves toward increasing profitability and financial strength. There are plenty of other distros that can cover the desktop for home users, there really isn't much of a need for Red Hat to be in that space.

The bottom line here is that we'll all be better off if Red Hat succeeds over the long haul. And it, like any other business, must do whatever it takes to achieve and grow. Hats off to Red Hat's management, they're getting it done.

Well said just one niggle ...
 

RH is not exiting the Desktop. If anything one would argue they are exiting the sell-linux-to-home-users market, which honestly doesn't really exist. Even MS isn';t really in that market for Windows. MOST people get their OS with their PC. Off teh shelf sales for operating systems is actually quite small. More so than most realize.

Look at their enterprise line, and you'll see desktop stuff all over it.

Hear, here.

Well said. This will make Linux stronger in many ways. Fedora will rev quickly, leading to faster development. The distribution of effort BACK to the community (i.e. the people writing code) as opposed to RH duplicating everything will free up some of their developers to advance and innovate. And the RHEL line will be more stable resulting from the massive testing and advancing Fedora will produce.

I agree that a strong Red Hat would benefit linux...but I have to wonder about THIS article:

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5101690.html

Especially when deciding to leave the home market....to me, that's a cheap shot and a low-blow to other linux companies who DO have some focus on the desktop market. To me this read as a parting blow of FUD just to muddy the waters because someone's sore THEY didn't make money on the desktop.

I don't want to start a flamewar on whether linux is ready for the desktop..for some, it may not be, for me, I feel that it more than IS....but statements like in the article above, taken in the context of RH's decision really makes me think they bite the big one...know what I mean?

I think that a large majority of people (ie "the desktop user") are not ready for Linux at this point. I use it because I wanted a challenge... "the masses" just want stuff to work out of the box... Linux has never worked out of the box for me on any of my systems thus far... I've had to work at it to get it right... I have no qualms about Red Hat choosing not to sell boxed sets of Red Hat Linux and concentrating on Enterprise... Now to get the Linux formerly known as Red Hat Linux (now known as Fedora) you have to download it like most other distros out there excluding SuSe and Mandrake which sell box sets at major retail chains... Everyone seems to be treating Red Hat's decision as a slap in the face... well, ok... but the truth is is that they just changed the name and quit selling boxed sets at compusa or borders... you can still get it if you want it... my 2 cents

At first I thought it was bad...
 

But the more I think about it the more I think it is a good idea. Linux shines on servers. And the current linux desktop will work pretty good for corparate users that don't need all the bells and whistles. Fedora will advance over the next couple of years and red hat will take a bunch of the server market share from microsoft. 3 or 4 years the desktop will advance and red hat may decide to take on microsoft then. When it is more mature.

Just a thought

a fedora IS a hat...redhat's logo has always been a man wearing a red fedora, hence the spinoff name fedora for their GPL version..

fe·do·ra ( P ) Pronunciation Key (f-dôr, -dr)
n.

A soft felt hat with a fairly low crown creased lengthwise and a brim that can be turned up or down.
dictionary.com

the logo and source of Fedora name
 

\

Yes, Shadowman is the RH logo. As to Fedora for the spinoff, actually it came from the Fedora Project which proposed the merger to RedHat.

RH wanted to turn RHL into RHEL and a community oriented project. The people at Fedora ( www.fedora.us ) went to RH saying "We've done all the infrastructure you are going to need" and proposed the merger. Hence the name.

Actually I was taken aback by the comment until I read the context. He's right. Aspirations are great, but the traditional consumer expects to be able to go down to Compusa, buy something and plug and pray. It's not Linux' fault that many of those thigns don't have Linux support, but it nonetheless is an issue. Further, Joe User can't just go down and buy all sorts fo software for Linux from the local store. Sure, most carry StarOffice, but little else.

Taken in context, the remark is accurate. My house runs Linux solely, even my non-technical wife runs it. But Joe User who doesn't have someone there who is a Linux person ... not yet.

Well I disagree SOMEWHAT...as I said, that argument isn't for this thread really (my thought is that linux isn't ready for people who DON'T want to learn...I hope linux never goes all the way to click n' drool...but I can sort of see your point SOMEWHAT...anyway)...

My point is that context or not, the statement was essentially flamebait...I mean its basically a "sore loser" kind of comment that companies like Microsoft will just jump on to continue their FUD and that's what peeved me about it. That's how it came across to me anyway....

I mean here's a company who failed to make money on the desktop market...decides to leave it...the immediately tells desktop users "there's nothing for you here in linux...go use windows...linux isn't ready" (I'm paraphrasing)...immediately shafting the other companies that ARE still in that arena, not to mention insulting the multitudes of people who ARE using linux on the desktop more than they ever used windows.

So while we CAN argue whether Linux is ready for the desktop or not (and I'm sure there are many threads already in existance that would be more appropriate for this than here)...what I'm saying is that whether or not RH's statement that is isn't is true....the utterance of that statement makes them sound very childish, essentially baiting linux users I think and supplying FUD to the people who WANT linux to stay marginal.

Agreed.
Red Hat is perfectly justified in focusing on the enterprise, and saying that joe user shouldn't use Red Hat.

But he shouldn't have endorsed Windows.

My sister and parents have a computer that is running Mandrake 9.1, and they are perfectly happy with it. They just surf the 'Net and play solitaire-type games on it. Although my parents' friends had trouble understanding why they couldn't load their CD with 100 different versions of Mahjongg on it onto the computer (although I'm sure they would run fine with Wine), they are faring well enough with Mandrake. Oh, and we couldn't connect with the same friend's AOL account.

They fare well enough to save $150 on M$ products. :)

hmm.

Redhat are now charging for Linux when they said it was free. ..
I wish I had known this change was going to happen before.
I see the scam now....make people dependant on your free offerring and then charge them for it when they rely on it without them knowing from the begginning that this was going to happen..
This is a good one. You Americans are very clever aren't you. Perhaps Google will be doing the same now.
Well done Redhat. Sorry was that redhat I think we mean BLUE HAT.
Excuse me while I vommit. Just feel a little Nausia..not sure why...
By the way I patented fresh air 20 years ago....before you guys pollute the world with the foul stench of your business practice. Come on ..cough up..
Oooops the truth ...quick catch it and put it back in the bag.

Not a happy penguin

Couldn't Red Hat's plan be to put pressure on the business market against Microsoft...think about it, business large and small using RH, and their employees seeing first hand how Linux is more stable, and has the same options (minus the bells and whistles) that Microsoft offers - and the corporations saving $$$ in operating costs. Employees comfortable at work with RH, going home and learning more about the different "flavors" of Linux, and actually purchasing or downloading Linux to use at home. This may be a way to "win the hearts and minds" of people that are not familiar with Linux, and eventually pressuring Microsoft to wither clean up its products or lose market share.

Just my $0.02...

Fedora is RED HAT... but it is only free and is less "stable" but it seems, acts, looks, feels just like RH10 would have... if you really need the service support then buy RHEL WS for $199.00 it is still less than XP Professional or 2003 Server...

Lupin if your'e building boxes and buying right XP Pro is less than 199.00. RH's annual subscription was more than the purchase price of XP Pro over the years that it will be supported by free updates.

Having said that , I am downloading my general release version of core1 right now. Even though there is hardware on my laptop and desktops that is not supported I'm taking the time to learn this Linux stuff using RH. Fist 8 then 9 now Fedora.

RH's right, buy Windows if you use a desktop. Everything on it will work. In order to click and drool you will be obliged to find a computer that actually comes out of the box with Linux installed.

Earlier this year while visiting with a Dell type who was back in Austin for a few weeks from China, I asked him about the support for Linux and found his response amusing. He said, " Oh, those who order equipment with Linux don't call for support because they know what they are doing."

If RH is taking Linux to those who pay big bucks for the same hardware that any enthusiast can put together then maybe we'll finally get support for hardware that is newer than three years old. Like my Centrino laptop or the ICH5R that is on this workstation or the video editing station that is right next to me. Maybe I'm just too hopeful.

The only computer that I ever bought whole was in 93 (excepting a recent laptop). It struck me as odd then and now that hardware manufacturers are willing to have a third party in control of whether their equipment will work in an environment. Maybe if there is serious support for Linux in the business environment then hardware vendors will feel comfortable making drivers of their own if they are not compelled to release enough info for open sourced drivers.

I agree with you... I just think that if you need the "expert" support for systems then RHEL is probably a better deal in the terms of support (I can assume that RH support is at least more personal than MS's), stability, etc... and we the Home users have Fedora Core... but I'm with you... other than my recent Dell 8500 (now discontinued... go figure) I will not be buying assembled systems anymore... I'm going to attempt to build my first after Christmas... so hopefully I can say bye bye to those third party non-linux developers.

When you go to build a system look at pricewatch.com
It will help you find good deals. I have had good experiences with Newegg, Monarch(they build Linux Boxes), Jazz Technology and Thompson's Computer Warehouse. My experience isn't extensive, I'm just a hobbiest so far, but they've all treated me well and at times had the best prices to boot.

RedHat has always charged for their distrobution, as have many others, Mandrake, Suse.....

What makes you think this is a new thing LMAO?

You can still get redhat for the desktop for free, it's called "fedora" there are so many mirrors for it at redhats http://fedora.redhat.com/download/mirrors.html that it aint to hard to find a fast one.

I've been "paying" for my distro's for a very long time in an effort to support them. My gripe would be that I can't go to Comp USA and "pay" for it.