“… it is interesting to note that Red Hat will be using both
its strength as a Linux retailer and its impending IPO as a
springboard to becoming a way for other Linux producers and
consumers to get together.”
“… the idea of Red Hat making good on investor dollars by
becoming a portal is either exceptionally prideful or shrewder than
shrewd. In the case of the former, the idea that other Linux
portals such as LinuxMall or linux.com will just stand by and watch
Red Hat lure the Linux-curious toward their trademark fedora is
patently absurd. And this says nothing of entities like
slashdot.org and even Linux publications such as Linux Journal,
which might opt to use their reputation and following to establish
a portal-like presence on the Web.”
“What about “shrewder than shrewd”? Since Red Hat cannot
possibly believe they can make gobs of money… selling the Linux
OS…, it is conceivable that Red Hat will make what it can from
its own versions of Linux, and try to increase profitability as a
Linux retail and information outlet.”