[1vuio0pswjnm7]

Curious: sell at what price.

This is something I have thought about for many years. If we have small form factor computers that sell for, say, $5-$25 why not distribute pre-configured, free, open source servers on well-understood hardware^1 instead of having to test on various different hardware possibilities, not all of them well-understood, or making assumptions about what hardware people should have available. IMO, there is value in server configuration. A purchaser could choose to compile and install the software herself but having an example of a working configuration can be invaluable. For me, good examples are usually worth more than countless pages of verbose documentation. The question I have is the dollar amount of that value.

The example I have thought about in the past, rightly or wrongly, is the WRT54G and what became OpenWRT. To me, focusing on one item of hardware initially has advantages. That is generally what vendors of off-the-shelf products do. Yet with open source software, there is usually an expectation that it must work on a variety of hardware, which is likely to make things more complicated.

1. I am not implying this has never been done or that it isn't still happening.

[tedunangst]

If I sell you a computer for $5 and you email me questions about how to configure DNS, what kind of reply are you expecting?

[1vuio0pswjnm7]

Having a working DNS cofiguation is generally a prerequisite to sending email.

There is of course email smtpd software that allows receiving email using only IP addresses. Email predates DNS. Two people running their own smptd's could exchange email directly using only IP addresses, without the need for DNS. But the way most people use email today, delegating total control over it to third parties, email is highly dependent on DNS.

[savingsPossible]

"You can buy a support plan for $100/month. Renewal not automatic, only if you opt it"

[1vuio0pswjnm7]

Another example that comes to mind: There are routers that come with Wireguard pre-installed. No technical support just online instructions, forum and a custom GUI.