. . . . > http://www.redhat.com/software/rhelorfedora/ > > My question is: > > Other than getting the paid support, is there any real reason to buy > Redhat Enterprise Linux WS or Redhat Linux Desktop as opposed to just > using Fedora IN A DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT? (not a server) . . . . > > AB Here's my opinion on this: 1. Paid support can be very valuable when you need an answer right away and haven't the time/ability/persistence to research issues on your own. This is no small benefit. If working on a Fedora problem means you aren't doing something more important (like supporting a family), then paid support makes a lot of sense. Paying Red Hat for support is one way to help maintain this community. If you are not in a position to contribute directly, support the companies that do contribute. 2. RHEL aims to provide stability. If you depend on your system for your livelihood, avoiding a steady stream of changes might be very important. Fedora specifically walks on the bleeding edge. Similarly, if you support many systems, it can be useful to avoid the "latest and greatest" new software, in favor of more-time-tested code that won't cause your users to flood you with help requests. 3. What's included in RHEL is there because Red Hat believes they can support it for a long period of time. If you've ever had a favorite program suddenly go away because the author graduated/got a new job/ran out of money to run his website/got tired/had an argument with kernel developers/etc. then you can understand why this can be valuable. If these aren't "value drivers" for you, then paying for RHEL might not be what you want to do. But these are the big things that would make me consider it over Fedora. Erik
