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Re: SCO Unix vs. Linux



On Wed, 18 Dec 1996, Ilan Aisic wrote:

>...
>
>> >Last month I've purchase Intel Solaris 2.5 from Ankor Computers 
>> >together with "Internet Gateway" and Java Workshop for $250 + VAT.
>....

>>   Solaris x86 2.5 at $2,000 and no restrictions re. user/CPU number is
>> much more like it.

>I'm afraid you're wrong.  The $250 x86 Solaris I got here does not carry
>any restriction.  It's connected to all other computers and there's no
>problem using it by multiply users and sessions.   I could not check it
>on a multiple CPU though 'cause we don't have any...

  You are right that the software will work with multiple users.  It will
also work with multiple CPUs: Sun has only one distribution for Solaris
for each platform.

  However, I wrote:

>  In other words, the copy of Solaris in the $250 bundle possibly
>carries only a so-called "workstation" license and for a single CPU. 
>Mind you the software is the same for all licenses [remember the NT
>blunder?] and only the right-of-use varies. 

  The key word is license: you (might) have not purchased the _legal_
right to use it with multiple users and/or CPUs.  You can technically do
it but not legally.

  To compare apple with apple, it used to be that the NT workstation
distribution was compiled with a limitation of 10 TCP connections while
the NT server distribution had no such limitations.
  After much bitching from the users, Microsoft removed the limitation
in the _code_ but kept it in the fine prints of the _license_.
  So NT users that have purchased a workstation version can open more
than 10 connections practically, but doing so is against the terms of
the license for the workstation distribution of NT and therefore illegal
in a strict sense.

  I might not have expressed myself very clearly.  Please, let us
continue this discussion on e-mail, lest we bore the rest of the list.

alex


------------------------


Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 21:17:26 -0600 (CST)
From: Alexandre Khalil <iskandar@ee.tamu.edu>
To: linux-il@linux.org.il
Subject: Re: SCO Unix vs. Linux


On Tue, 17 Dec 1996, Ilan Aisic wrote:

>Last month I've purchase Intel Solaris 2.5 from Ankor Computers 
>together with "Internet Gateway" and Java Workshop for $250 + VAT.

>> From: Ofer Maor <ofer@hadar.co.il>

>> C. donno where you got the prices from, alexander, but last time _I_ checked, 
>> BSDi cost arround 500$, and Solaris x86 2.5 costs approx 2000$.... which is 

  I bought a copy of Solaris x86 at the much taunted academic discount of
$99 -available in the US a few months ago-.

  While ordering over the phone, I enquired about license restrictions
and this is what I remember being quoted:

1  user,  1 CPU  =   $99
2+ users, 1 CPU  =  $500 (circa)
2+ users, 2 CPUs = $1200 (circa)
2+ users, 4 CPUs = $1500 (circa)

  I do not know if this is only valid for academic folks and how much
more would commercial sites have to pay. 

  In other words, the copy of Solaris in the $250 bundle possibly carries
only a so-called "workstation" license and for a single CPU.  Mind you
the software is the same for all licenses [remember the NT blunder?] and
only the right-of-use varies.

  Solaris x86 2.5 at $2,000 and no restrictions re. user/CPU number is
much more like it.

  Which brings us back to the ancient saying: "Linux: there is worse but
it costs more".

alex

ps: did I mention that that Solaris x86 package is gathering dust on the
shelf?  We did one single and short-lived experiment on a laptop with it
and this only because the boss insisted. 





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