Creating a group of Users and Novell partners concerned about openSUSE lifespan

Hello,

With the annoucement today.

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-announce/2009-08/msg00...

that openSUSE is on a 18 month cycle, maybe we need to form a group...

The thought is that a possible out come of this group maybe an openSLE 
which would be like this model

fedora->centos->RHEL

but for SUSE
 			-SLES
openSUSE->openSLE->SLE-|
 			-SLED

This is from the end of the project meeting.
I hope the boat has not sailed already and it is too late.

My thoughts from what I have heard from talks with clients, IRC chats, and 
misc.

WARNING (This is my honest view/perception  and is not politically 
correct)

1.  Many small business owners/small companies feel there is a lack of 
attention to their needs from Novell.  That is to say Novell only listens 
to "Monster Enterprise Clients"

Solution:  We form a group that combined has equivelant $$$ behind it to 
warrent attention.

2.  Many resent replies from Novell people (although it is just their 
opinion) through the various mediums treat SMB's and their staff as 
idiots.  It comes off as if it comes from arrogant 20-something know it 
alls dictating what the community has to do.  To quote some CEO's and 
COO... "The SUSE/Novell people act like a bunch arrogant 20-something ... 
that treat us and are staff like idiots.)  SMB's have to contribute more 
time/money/resources to keep openSUSE going.  (Why should we when we are 
treated like idiots)?

Solution:  Better communitcation.  Some signs of improvement, but a strong 
feeling of being dictated, rather than lead"

3.  They are really concerned "OpenSUSE distro is moving toward just a 
desktop Ubunto clone.  They are ignoreing what was there bigest strength. 
Providing a Polished First Class Stable Server with necessary Desktop 
fetures."

Solution:  This could be solved by openSLE (A openSUSE centos like clone 
as refered in the above example).

4.  "Tired of hearing we do this for fun, it is not my 
problem/responsibility, hire a programmer or become one."  "Fix it 
yourself as it is a community distro.  The community is not doing enough 
or is too small."  What happens is or feels like the various groups that 
are part of the community are not fully trusted.  What I see/feel/hear is 
that globally the openSUSE distro is moving to the bottom of the Linux 
Distro Heap.  I am being asked to move to CentOS as it has a longer 
support window.  "Having to update my OS every 2 years is a real pain in 
the butt!  Now it is moving to a 18 month window.  I really need to look 
at something else that meets my needs"  Business like to stay as long as 
they are able to the release.  "If it aint broke don't fix it!"  "We 
really need a fall back position.  What are your recommendations?  Doesn't 
Novell realize who pays their salaries?  What about Ubunto, Debian, 
Fedora/CentOS, or Solaris, BSDs?"

Solution: Have the openSUSE->openSLE->SLES/SLED path available.

At some of the event I and others I talk with have attended it is often 
asked "Why doesn't Novell offer an opneSLE alternitive?"  People using the 
fedora->CentOS->RHEL talk of how many of the business they support move 
this route to become RHEL customers.  I think we (being the SUSE prefered" 
really would benefit from a similar path.  That is why I am trying to 
somehow get a group organized.  So we are able to have our voice heard at 
the higher levels of Novell.

Thanks for reading this.  I propose using the Freenode IRC 
#opensuse-server channel and either of the lists in the CC. to further 
discuss this idea and form a group.

Thank you,


-- 
Boyd Gerber <gerberb@zenez.com> 801 849-0213
ZENEZ	1042 East Fort Union #135, Midvale Utah  84047
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