From: Con Zymaris <conz@cyber.com.au> Subject: Red Hat Linux Support in Australia To: editor@lwn.net Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 22:29:10 +1000 (EST) Hello, Cybersource has recently launched its commercial grade technical support program for Red Hat Linux in Australia. This release contains information about this service. --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1998-10-20 CONTACT:Richard Keech rkeech@cyber.com.au Con Zymaris conz@cyber.com.au PHONE: +61 3 9642 5997 For full information, visit http://www.cyber.com.au/ -- Commercial grade support for Linux in Australia -- keywords: Linux, Open Source, Cybersource, Support, Red Hat Software Linux; the next wave The information age has seen a number of technology waves thunder in, changing the rules completely and making casualties of those who couldn't or wouldn't adapt. The last one, the Internet, crashed into public view in 1992. The next one is about to break. It is Linux, the free operating system developed in 1991 by 21-year-old Finn, Linus Torvalds in Helsinki. Linus' genius wasn't so much in his programming (though it is mighty impressive). His true genius was and still is his ability to build on the fine traditions of free software from the Unix operating system, and in being able to use the Internet effectively to bring together a team of hundreds of volunteer programmers. The result is software that keeps turning the skeptics into converts. And it's still all completely and absolutely free. Linux has been a well kept secret for a number of years, and has developed an enormous following (estimated to be in excess of 10 million users and growing at more than 100% per annum). The software phenomenon that is Linux is now reaching critical mass. With cover features on Forbes magazine, and the announcement of Linux ports of their software by none other than Oracle, Corel and Inprise (Borland.) In old-school commercial circles, many IT managers won't touch Linux because they can't bring themselves to trust something you can download for nothing from the Net. Despite this, many other have developed a grudging respect for Linux. Many report that it simply never crashes, and that it works really well on modestly-specified systems that you wouldn't even think of running NT services on. The main reason many cite for not taking Linux seriously is a perceived lack of support. This is despite Info World magazine giving its 1997 Product of the year award (Best Technical Support) to the Linux user community, who on the Internet and in small user communities around the globe, have been able to consistently give a level of service that many commercial providers only dream about. Cybersource catches the next wave Melbourne firm, Cybersource, is helping to herald this new computing era by announcing its partnership with Red Hat Software of North Carolina. Cybersource have teamed with Red Hat to provide commercial support for Red Hat's much lauded version of Linux. "We're thrilled to have been chosen by Red Hat as their first Australian support partner" said Richard Keech of Cybersource. "Red Hat is going places fast with Linux, and it's great to be part of the action." Cybersource's young and energetic MD, Con Zymaris, said "We have absolutely no double that Linux is going to really take the IT world by surprise." Cybersource and Red Hat are filling the niche for commercial-style support for Linux. "Before companies will commit to a product, they need to be confident that, if and when the need arises, there will be someone just a phone call (or email) away" says Cybersource's Richard Keech. "It doesn't matter if it is free, because without this type of support, enterprises won't entrust their business servers to software they can't hold someone accountable for." Keech recounts how his Linux conversion was hearing how it was being successfully used in systems providing critical patient care in a large American cancer hospital in 1993. "And Linux has improved a lot since then" Keech says. According to Zymaris, "We expect that with the support component in place, businesses with open-minded IT management will now take a serious look at Linux." "The pattern is that once people see how good this software is, it quickly is absorbed into the enterprise IT framework, typically where there is a need for small to medium sized web, application and file servers." --- Cybersource Pty. Ltd. is an IT professional serices firm, located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1991, it has technical expertise in integrating Unix/Linux, TCP/IP and Windows. CONTACT:Richard Keech rkeech@cyber.com.au Con Zymaris conz@cyber.com.au PHONE: +61 3 9642 5997 For full information, visit http://www.cyber.com.au/