[Discuss] Oracle Linux, going after CentOs

[tmetro+blu at gmail.com (Tom Metro)]

Guy Gold wrote:
> http://linux.oracle.com/switch/centos/

More accurately they are separating the distribution of their Linux
distribution - including updates and binaries - from their support services.

Its only like CentOs in that it goes after the same demographic - people
who want a RedHat compatible distribution without paid support.

Unlike CentOS, when/if you decided to add paid support, you don't need
to reinstall the OS.


> Switch your CentOS systems to Oracle Linux
> Run the following as root:
> curl -O https://linux.oracle.com/switch/centos2ol.sh
> sh centos2ol.sh 

A bit scary, but clever.

Anything similar exists to go from CentOS to RedHat?


Oracle has been no great friend to open source, but this is the more
open source approach to take, and what RedHat should have done from the
start. Of course that's not why Oracle is doing it. They've correctly
identified a weakness in the RedHat business model. They understand that
the more machines that exist with Oracle Linux on them, the more support
contracts they can potentially sell, if all it takes is a phone call and
a purchase order to turn them into licensed machines.

Capitalist competition in action.

 -Tom

-- 
Tom Metro
Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA
"Enterprise solutions through open source."
Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/