Imagine that you are about to start a small project that requires some 
software you don't own.  You have a very limited budget, but need to get the 
job done without extravagant effort.

This is the model that almost all Microsoft Windows products must follow:

    * pay us
    * we will give you a solution that is proportional to the amount of money 
you pay us
    * support will cost extra
    * you will undoubtedly find a problem with our software
          o we will fix it based on how much money you pay us today
          o or based on other threats to our profit model

In contrast, this is the model that Linux Open Source solutions generally 
follow:

    * much of our software is already available for free download to your 
Linux distribution PC (almost 20,000 different programs)
    * we are "solutions" oriented - that means our first concern is to get you 
up and running, rather than to go after your money
    * support is usually free.  Because the software is free, the users and 
programmers freely share advice.
    * you will undoubtedly find a problem with our software
          o we will fix it as we are able - this is our hobby
          o we are motivated by public enthusiasm for our work

The question is, which model ("profit", or "solution") will give YOU the tools 
you need to get your job done?
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