As a Linux fan and SusE Linux consumer, I'd say that those Linux distribution companies companies that don't take ownership of their products must be treated like every vendor who has proved to be unreliable: dump them.

I find the alternative of providing support oursekves unpalatable: (1) We end up doing the work THEY should be doing and supporting THEIR freaking business model at no charge to them; (2) Providing this support takes time and resources from each of us that we should be allocating to deal with other genuine issues; (3) There is no reason to do anything for any vendor who makes us look like jerks either to our employers or to our users.

My attitude is that teaching Red Hat and Mandrake an object lesson in how not to screw around with the customers by withdrawing access to the wallets is so much easier, expeditive and terminal. Let these delinquent vendors know that their cries for mercy not only will fall on our deaf ears, but that they will only irritate us as they only serve to grate on our nerves. Lights out, pigeons!

[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/142/18166#18166