[SLUG] Should Linux companies be using Linux exclusively?

[Jeff Waugh <jdub@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey all,

One of the benefits (*cough*) of being listed as a committee member is that you
get all the 'cool' announcements delivered politely in your mailbox without any
warning.

One of the things that surprises me is the number of 'Linux company
representatives' who manage to send either proprietary format attachments,
or seem to be sending their mail from something *very not* Linux.

My usual reaction to these (especially the attachment ones) is to
courteously press the 'D' key. The trouble is, that many of these emails are
coming from major players who really do have an influence on the day-to-day
world of Linux.

Even companies such as RedHat and VA Linux are reported to run non-Linux
operating systems in some areas.

Obviously this argument comes down to the pragmatic use of 'the best tool
for the job' or sticking to what many of us feel are the community's ideals.
Sticking to Free Software (or open source), and as many developers say,
"Eating what you serve."

Is this a failure of the companies involved? A lack of support for the
community? Should we expect more from the companies who are taking Linux to
the rest of the world?

- Jeff


The following email, with headers trimmed and email address edited
(although yes, it was an AOL address) prompted my questioning. Given the
content, I found it especially funny: