An Evil Company Forcing Expensive Upgrades

Today an evil company told its customers that it will force an upgrade on its users. The company will discontinue maintenance and errata support for versions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 8.0 as of December 31, 2003," and that the company will "discontinue maintenance and errata support for version 9 as of April 30, 2004," and that the company "does not plan to release another product in the line." You will have to upgrade to a very expensive Enterprise version.

So you say the boys in Redmond are at it again. Think again, these are Germans. Got this in the mail today. I have a lot to say on this, but will let it sink in, because I predicted this years ago and the Linux crowd created a FUD site dedicated to me. Payback is a bitch.

The email:

Thank you for being a Red Hat Network customer.

This e-mail provides you with important information about the upcoming

discontinuation of Red Hat Linux, and resources to assist you with your

migration to another Red Hat solution.

As previously communicated, Red Hat will discontinue maintenance and

errata support for Red Hat Linux 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 8.0 as of December

31, 2003. Red Hat will discontinue maintenance and errata support for

Red

Hat Linux 9 as of April 30, 2004. Red Hat does not plan to release

another product in the Red Hat Linux line.

With the recent announcement of Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3, you'll

find migrating to Enterprise Linux appealing. We understand

that transitioning to another Red Hat solution requires careful planning

and implementation. We have created a migration plan for Red Hat Network

customers to help make the transition as simple and seamless as

possible. Details:

****************

If you purchase Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS or ES Basic before February

28, 2004, you will receive 50% off the price for two years.[*] (That's two

years for the price of one.)

****************

In addition, we have created a Red Hat Linux Migration Resource Center

to address your migration planning and other questions, such as:

* What are best practices for implementing the migration to Red Hat

    Enterprise Linux?

* Are there other migration alternatives?

* How do I purchase Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS or ES Basic at the price

    above?

* What if my paid subscription to RHN extends past April 30, 2004?

****************

Find out more about your migration options with product comparisons,

whitepapers and documentation at the Red Hat Linux Migration Resource

Center:

    http://www.redhat.com/solutions/migration/rhl/rhn

Or read the FAQ written especially for Red Hat Network customers:

    https://rhn.redhat.com/help/rhlmigrationfaq/

Sincerely,

Red Hat, Inc.

[*] Limit 10 units. Higher volume purchase inquiries should contact a

        regional Red Hat sales representative. Contact numbers available at

        http://www.redhat.com/solutions/migration/rhl/rhn

--the Red Hat Network Team