Introduction

# 1 Introduction

Contents of this section

This is the Linux Commercial-HOWTO. It contains commercial application software which is available for Linux. The Commercial-HOWTO will not contain Linux distributions and related stuff -- that's what the Distribution-HOWTO is for.

This HOWTO will contain tabular entries for each product. The entry format is similar to the new Linux Software Map (LSM) entry (field/stanza lengths are arbitrary). The sample entries are just examples. Please: KEEP SHORT. Otherwise I'll have to shorten your data, and I hate work. ;-)

Description:

  SHORT description of the package, just the basic functionality

Distribution Media:

  diskettes, CD-ROM, tapes or others

Licensing Policy:

  whatever applies. is there a free demo or shareware version available via FTP? Where?

OS Provisions:

  kernel version, XFree86 version, Motif version, RAM and harddisk usage

Documentation:

  printed documentation, page number, online help, language

Product Support:

  update service, maintenance, training and prices thereof

Linux Support:

  if you bundle a complete Linux system with your software, which kind of support do you offer for the operating system? prices?

Extra Features and Add-Ons:

  and their prices

Available Since:

  the date you started shipping the Linux version

Countries with Distribution:

  if you ship in too many countries to name them all, naming regional distribution channels is okay.

Price Range:

  whatever it costs

Installed Base:

  how many copies of the Linux version did you sell?

Vendor:

  > `

  >     address
  >     phone
  >     fax
  >     e-mail address
  >     contact person

  > `

I'll post the list to several national and international newsgroups on a monthly basis. In addition, the Commercial-HOWTO will be available via FTP and FSP (port 21): `ftp.ix.de:/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO` (the latest and greatest) and uploaded to `sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO` weekly if there were changes. WWW users can access the document at URL `ftp://ftp.ix.de/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/Commercial-HOWTO.html`.

There is a french version of sections 1, 2 and 3 available via WWW .

The Commercial-HOWTO is not a forum for product announcements or marketing hypes but a service to customers primarily. Two main goals are being aimed at:

1. It shall help companies who want to run Linux to find software solutions and applications. The international distribution of this list will enhance the contact opportunity.

2. It is meant to prove the commercial useability of Linux and thus to encourage other vendors to port their software as well.

Companies and developers who are offering their products for Linux and interested in joining the Commercial-HOWTO are invited to fill in the following form and contact me via e-mail (`hm@ix.de`, preferred) or fax (`+49 (0)511/5352-378`). If you happen to know a company which does, please drop me a note. If you send me an entry for your product(s), please don't forget to send me timely updates if appropriate.

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