[sllug-members]: Oracle Announces The Same Enterprise Class Support For Linux As For Its Database

[Marc Christensen]

HI all,


Grant Shipley, a friend of mine that works for RH just posted the 
following link on the PLUG list:

http://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/2006_oct/Oracle-Linux-Program.html


 From the press release:

"Today Oracle announced that it would provide the same enterprise class 
support for Linux as it provides for its database, middleware and 
applications products. Oracle starts with Red Hat Linux, removes Red Hat 
trademarks, and then adds Linux bug fixes.

Currently, Red Hat only provides bug fixes for the latest version of its 
software. This often requires customers to upgrade to a new version of 
Linux software to get a bug fixed. Oracle's new Unbreakable Linux 
program will provide bug fixes to future, current, and back releases of 
Linux. In other words, Oracle will provide the same level of enterprise 
support for Linux as is available for other operating systems.

Oracle is offering its Unbreakable Linux program for substantially less 
than Red Hat currently charges for its best support. "We believe that 
better support and lower support prices will speed the adoption of 
Linux, and we are working closely with our partners to make that 
happen," said Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. "Intel is a development partner. 
Dell and HP are resellers and support partners. Many others are signed 
up to help us move Linux up to mission critical status in the data 
center." "


RH is down over 15% in after hours trading.  So, it will be interesting 
to see how this all plays out.  Oracle is much larger than RH and with 
the level of support they claim to be putting behind their version of 
Linux combined with the lower cost they are charging may mean a great 
deal to RH and other Linux vendors.  Novell's stock price was relatively 
unaffected at the time I checked and that may be due to the fact that 
Oracle seems to be directly targeting RH in releasing an effectively 
identical product with enterprise level support at half the cost.

So, there you have it...

--
Marc Christensen