Complete Turn Key Linux Server

[Matt Darnell]

> > 2.Be able to "mass produce" the load with some type of software
protection so others could not simply copy the hard drive to make their own
servers.
>
> I would reconsider the second goal.  Why do you need to "protect" the
software?  I would rather sell service and support than a usage license for
solution built from Free software.  Unless you are willing to invest in the
development of proprietary replacements for GPLed operating system
components, you will run into legal hassles as well.  If you are selling the
hardware as well, it is a different story.  :)

I am still new to the GPL world and am reading as much as I can.  Ron Willis
gave me an intro about 6-8 months ago and I am trying to expand on that.
Before I answer you question let me define the problem I am trying to solve;
There are lots of small businesses in Hawaii (and elsewhere) that need all
of the services I mentioned in the earlier email.  They are all available
but from 5 different vendors at costs that are prohibitive.

Some one who could come to the market with a single product that could fill
those needs that was reliable and comparatively less expensive could sell
it.  I do not know what would be more difficult
1.Getting all those applications working on one box reliably
2.Creating a web based application to give one interface to the different
applications

I think both of those are services that people would be willing to pay for.
One model could offer a free ISO to get all the apps loaded and working, but
to have the single admin tool they would upgrade to the "premium" package.

To answer you question, we would sell hardware, and the services to
integrate and maintain the applications, not the apps themselves. - Not sure
if that is a slippery slope in the GPL world.


>
>
> > 3.Use an operating system that is inexpensive, highly reliable, and does
not use lots of resources. (Sounds like Linux)
> Linux or a BSD, depending on the hardware.

Not sure what the difference between the two is, I'll look it up though.

>
> As for the web-based system administration...  I think that the embedded
industry will be moving away from that  towards distributed/spreadable,
SSL-enabled applications written in high-level languages.  HTTP is the wrong
solution to stateful applications like secure administration.

What would you suggest.  I have been reading latley that pop3, smtp, http
etc. will soon be going the way of archie, veronica, gopher etc.

>
>
> > I think their is a large market for such a server.  It would go beyond
other boxs like Cobalts Cube3.  Being in the Telecom/Data community here in
Hawaii I know it would sell.
>
> Are you trying to sell software/support, or move boxes?
>

I would want to sell the after install support with the model above.  The
computer would probably be a clone of quality componenets sold at near cost.