Sun/Oracle removed public firmware downloads

Re:Sun/Oracle removed public firmware downloads by viraptor on Wednesday May 05, 2010 @03:20AM (#1320596)

I could understand such system for new downloads... but this just seems insane. They had to implement a new system, change the old one, retrain the phone monkeys and then waste time of both the support guys and their managers, because the issue is not easy to resolve. They might potentially gain some new annoyed support customers, but the rest will not be likely to go for Sun hardware in the future if they have a choice.

Is alienating customers ever a good choice? Apple's new rules, Facebook privacy, now Oracle... who's next?

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Re:Sun/Oracle removed public firmware downloads by c00p3r on Wednesday May 05, 2010 @03:27AM (#1320608)

It seems like the easiest way to make money in the post-opensource era - pay a small sum for your each move. =)

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Re:Sun/Oracle removed public firmware downloads by barrkel on Wednesday May 05, 2010 @04:29AM (#1320671)

I think the sum will have to be fairly substantial. The cost of involving support, or any kind of human contact, in the chain between needing a download and getting it is likely tens of thousands times more expensive than maintaining a self-service system.

It's the enterprise sales model, where software contracts are measured in megabucks, because to do anything cheaper would be more expensive than the cost of sales. I think relying on anything from Sun that Oracle can likely find a way to charge for would be foolish, unless you're big enough to afford those kinds of costs.

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Re:Sun/Oracle removed public firmware downloads by hga on Wednesday May 05, 2010 @08:54AM (#1320991)

Well, if they're sane enough to fix this (not requiring the opening of a "formal service case") for all hardware bought before March 16th....

I suppose we will be able to judge the likelihood of their success by if, how and how quickly they fix this.

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