+<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"><title>Chapter 45. Samba Support</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="samba.css" type="text/css"><meta name="generator" content="DocBook XSL Stylesheets V1.68.1"><link rel="start" href="index.html" title="The Official Samba-3 HOWTO and Reference Guide"><link rel="up" href="Appendix.html" title="Part VI. Reference Section"><link rel="prev" href="ch-ldap-tls.html" title="Chapter 44. LDAP and Transport Layer Security"><link rel="next" href="DNSDHCP.html" title="Chapter 46. DNS and DHCP Configuration Guide"></head><body bgcolor="white" text="black" link="#0000FF" vlink="#840084" alink="#0000FF"><div class="navheader"><table width="100%" summary="Navigation header"><tr><th colspan="3" align="center">Chapter 45. Samba Support</th></tr><tr><td width="20%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="ch-ldap-tls.html">Prev</a> </td><th width="60%" align="center">Part VI. Reference Section</th><td width="20%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="DNSDHCP.html">Next</a></td></tr></table><hr></div><div class="chapter" lang="en-US"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title"><a name="id2657975"></a>Chapter 45. Samba Support</h2></div></div></div><div class="toc"><p><b>Table of Contents</b></p><dl><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="ch45.html#id2658106">Free Support</a></span></dt><dt><span class="sect1"><a href="ch45.html#id2658323">Commercial Support</a></span></dt></dl></div><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2657984"></a>
+One of the most difficult to answer questions in the information technology industry is, “<span class="quote">What is
+support?</span>”. That question irritates some folks, as much as common answers may annoy others.
+</p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658001"></a>
+The most aggravating situation pertaining to support is typified when, as a Linux user, a call is made to
+an Internet service provider who, instead of listening to the problem to find a solution, blandly replies:
+“<span class="quote">Oh, Linux? We do not support Linux!</span>”. It has happened to me, and similar situations happen
+through-out the IT industry. Answers like that are designed to inform us that there are some customers
+that a business just does not want to deal with, and well may we feel the anguish of the rejection that
+is dished out.
+</p><p>
+One way to consider support is to view it as consisting of the right answer, in the right place,
+at the right time, no matter the situation. Support is all that it takes to take away pain, disruption,
+inconvenience, loss of productivity, disorientation, uncertainty, and real or perceived risk.
+</p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658032"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658039"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658046"></a>
+One of the forces that has become a driving force for the adoption of open source software is the fact that
+many IT businesses have provided services that have perhaps failed to deliver what the customer expected, or
+that have been found wanting for other reasons.
+</p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658060"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658067"></a>
+In recognition of the need for needs satisfaction as the primary experience an information technology user or
+consumer expects, the information provided in this chapter may help someone to avoid an unpleasant experience
+in respect of problem resolution.
+</p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658082"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658089"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658096"></a>
+In the open source software arena there are two support options: free support and paid-for (commercial)
+support.
+</p><div class="sect1" lang="en-US"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="id2658106"></a>Free Support</h2></div></div></div><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658113"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658120"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658127"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658134"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658141"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658148"></a>
+ Free support may be obtained from friends, colleagues, user groups, mailing lists, and interactive help
+ facilities. An example of an interactive dacility is the Internet relay chat (IRC) channels that host user
+ supported mutual assistance.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658162"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658169"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658176"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658183"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658189"></a>
+ The Samba project maintains a mailing list that is commonly used to discuss solutions to Samba deployments.
+ Information regarding subscription to the Samba mailing list can be found on the Samba <a href="https://lists.samba.org/mailman/" target="_top">web</a> site. The public mailing list that can be used to obtain
+ free, user contributed, support is called the <code class="literal">samba</code> list. The email address for this list
+ is at <code class="literal">mail:samba@samba.org</code>. Information regarding the Samba IRC channels may be found on
+ the Samba <a href="http://www.samba.org/samba.irc.html" target="_top">IRC</a> web page.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658230"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658237"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658244"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658251"></a>
+ As a general rule, it is considered poor net behavior to contact a Samba Team member directly
+ for free support. Most active members of the Samba Team work exceptionally long hours to assist
+ users who have demonstrated a qualified problem. Some team members may respond to direct email
+ or telephone contact, with requests for assistance, by requesting payment. A few of the Samba
+ Team members actually provide professional paid-for Samba support and it is therefore wise
+ to show appropriate discretion and reservation in all direct contact.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658271"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658277"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658284"></a>
+ When you stumble across a Samba bug, often the quickest way to get it resolved is by posting
+ a bug <a href="https://bugzilla.samba.org/" target="_top">report</a>. All such reports are mailed to
+ the responsible code maintainer for action. The better the report, and the more serious it is,
+ the sooner it will be dealt with. On the other hand, if the responsible person can not duplicate
+ the reported bug it is likely to be rejected. It is up to you to provide sufficient information
+ that will permit the problem to be reproduced.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658309"></a>
+ We all recognize that sometimes free support does not provide the answer that is sought within
+ the time-frame required. At other times the problem is elusive and you may lack the experience
+ necessary to isolate the problem and thus to resolve it. This is a situation where is may be
+ prudent to purchase paid-for support.
+ </p></div><div class="sect1" lang="en-US"><div class="titlepage"><div><div><h2 class="title" style="clear: both"><a name="id2658323"></a>Commercial Support</h2></div></div></div><p>
+ There are six basic support oriented services that are most commonly sought by Samba sites:
+ </p><div class="itemizedlist"><ul type="disc"><li><p>Assistance with network design</p></li><li><p>Staff Training</p></li><li><p>Assistance with Samba network deployment and installation</p></li><li><p>Priority telephone or email Samba configuration assistance</p></li><li><p>Trouble-shooting and diagnostic assistance</p></li><li><p>Provision of quality assured ready-to-install Samba binary packages</p></li></ul></div><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658370"></a>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658377"></a>
+ Information regarding companies that provide professional Samba support can be obtained by performing a Google
+ search, as well as by reference to the Samba <a href="http://www.samba.org/samba/support.html" target="_top">Support</a> web page. Companies who notify the Samba Team
+ that they provide commercial support are given a free listing that is sorted by the country of origin.
+ Multiple listings are permitted, however no guarantee is offered. It is left to you to qualify a support
+ provider and to satisfy yourself that both the company and its staff are able to deliver what is required of
+ them.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658403"></a>
+ The policy within the Samba Team is to treat all commercial support providers equally and to show no
+ preference. As a result, Samba Team members who provide commercial support are lumped in with everyone else.
+ You are encouraged to obtain the services needed from a company in your local area. The open source movement
+ is pro-community; so do what you can to help a local business to prosper.
+ </p><p>
+<a class="indexterm" name="id2658420"></a>
+ Open source software support can be found in any quality, at any price and in any place you can
+ to obtain it. Over 180 companies around the world provide Samba support, there is no excuse for
+ suffering in the mistaken belief that Samba is unsupported software it is supported.
+ </p></div></div><div class="navfooter"><hr><table width="100%" summary="Navigation footer"><tr><td width="40%" align="left"><a accesskey="p" href="ch-ldap-tls.html">Prev</a> </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="u" href="Appendix.html">Up</a></td><td width="40%" align="right"> <a accesskey="n" href="DNSDHCP.html">Next</a></td></tr><tr><td width="40%" align="left" valign="top">Chapter 44. LDAP and Transport Layer Security </td><td width="20%" align="center"><a accesskey="h" href="index.html">Home</a></td><td width="40%" align="right" valign="top"> Chapter 46. DNS and DHCP Configuration Guide</td></tr></table></div></body></html>
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