Enterprise distributions and free software

The "enterprise distribution" business is a bit of a funny one; it often seems like an attempt - by vendors and customers both - to fit free software back into the business model long used by proprietary operating systems vendors. It will necessarily create some tensions between the values of the free software community (including free access, rapid development, and collaboration) and those of the business, which include rigid stability and the preservation of competitive advantage. Recent changes made by Red Hat show the effects that this tension can cause, especially when combined with strong, arguably unfair, competition.

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