Will Ubuntu be always free of charge?

[BrokeBody]

Once there was the most popular Linux distribution called SuSe. It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing and everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

Once there was the most Linux distribution called Mandriva (Mandrake). It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing. Everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

There is the most popular Linux distribution called Ubuntu. It's free of charge. Its base of satisfying users is just growing. Everything is so good - almost perfect... for now...


On the main page on Ubuntu web site, once there was this message saying:

The Ubuntu Promise

Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.

Now, on that same spot on Ubuntu web site, there is this message saying:

The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Philosophy: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

I'm realy scared. What if they start charging it? Will Ubuntu always be free? Have you ever thought about it?

[BrokeBody]

lol Oops, as you can see, I meesed up something with my poll (with quetions, one of them ain't to logical ). Just ingore it if you can.

[IYY]

I'm sure it will always be free, but I don't particularly care. Worst case, it will become non-free, and another distro will rise that will be better. That's the magic of the GPL.

[bastiegast]

Once there was the most popular Linux distribution called SuSe. It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing and everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

Once there was the most Linux distribution called Mandriva (Mandrake). It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing. Everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

There is the most popular Linux distribution called Ubuntu. It's free of charge. Its base of satisfying users is just growing. Everything is so good - almost perfect... for now...


On the main page on Ubuntu web site, once there was this message saying:



Now, on that same spot on Ubuntu web site, there is this message saying:



I'm realy scared. What if they start charging it? Will Ubuntu always be free? Have you ever thought about it?

Open suse = suse free of charche isnt it?

[BrokeBody]

Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

[Frak]

Once there was the most popular Linux distribution called SuSe. It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing and everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

Once there was the most Linux distribution called Mandriva (Mandrake). It was free of charge. Its base of satisfying users was just growing. Everything was so good, almost perfect... until they started to charge for it... Now, there are some free of charge versions, but that's not it. It will never be the same again.

There is the most popular Linux distribution called Ubuntu. It's free of charge. Its base of satisfying users is just growing. Everything is so good - almost perfect... for now...


On the main page on Ubuntu web site, once there was this message saying:



Now, on that same spot on Ubuntu web site, there is this message saying:



I'm realy scared. What if they start charging it? Will Ubuntu always be free? Have you ever thought about it?

Mark Suttleworth said (me in his presence)(swear) he had a dream to use the money he got from Thawte to make people happy. He wanted Linux.
No.
He wanted MORE.
He wanted...
Debian.
And from then on Ubuntu will ALWAYS be FREE for as long as it can be supported with his money, and then we'll find a way to support this from then on.
That was about 2-3 years ago.
And I'll believe him forever.

[Frak]

Oh and that should is because you can't make everybody give their software free. Impossible.

[JnEverett]

I think that Ubuntu in its current form will remain free. I feel this is the case because of the founding principles and the organizational vision.
The free CD distribution may go by the wayside at somepoint though the image will likely be available as a free download.

[darkhatter]

I think its going to do a Red Hat, and Novell. Have a paid version and a free version, cause to much money is getting wasted (by wasted I mean its not coming back).

[Dinerty]

In one way I wish they did charge so it could help out with their expenses, e.g. staff, servers, software

If they charged a reasonable rate of £30 for each distro, or a one off charge of £50 and you get all releases there after free, by either logging in and downloading it from their private servers or by requesting a free CD/DVD which gets dispatched next day.

I would be more than happy to pay for it