Linux for small business

[Derek Neighbors]

> Idealism (Richard Stallman) is fine but Realism (Eric Raymond) is far
> more applicable to everyday life.

Ask VA Linux investors how 'real' ESR is, just a thought.  Both have their quirks and both have interesting ideals, its best to be well rounded and make your own decisions on how you view the situation.  As neither is perfect.

> Surely even Stallman wouldn't argue against proprietary
> *configurations* of software.  The question is, where does
> configuration end and programming begin?  This gets fuzzier when
> configurations of web applications involve scripting...

You are too vague to comment on here.  I will say the GPL is only in effect on DISTRIBUTION.  So say you download a GPL software package and make custom 'configurations' for your environment, if you do not DISTRIBUTE them you are under no obligation to give the code changes to anyone.  This is what the FSF refers to as 'custom' software.

-derek