w00t
Memo for the people who think Linux, OpenOffice, and Firefox are fringe:
T’aint so.
After Dell’s open forum for ideas, it would see that the company is wisely responding to demand. Apparently, customers do want the option to buy computers with something like Ubuntu pre-installed, the option to have OpenOffice instead of paying hundreds for MS Office, and the better browsing experience that comes with standards-compliant, modern browsers like Firefox (or Opera).
Still here? Put on your thinking cap and download today.
February 27th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Hey Thanks for Enlightening Me!!!! My Ubuntu disc should be here in a few weeks! — wen
February 27th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I can’t give Dell enough kudos for taking action on this. It would be a big bonehead move to hear so many people clamoring for the option and then insist on driving that business away.
February 28th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Boo Dell!
They’re saying that one of the 4 years old laptops we use in the office is too old to get parts for; and thus no replacement power adapter.
And to get back on topic:
Dell to Linux users: Not so fast
February 28th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Four years old? By Lenin’s beard, that’s ancient! I’ve never heard of a computer lasting longer than a couple months beyond it’s 6-month planned obsolescence cycle.
Ah, so they are (essentially) walking a thin line over what could amount to a bonehead move. There’s no doubt that Dell’s business model requires them to certify the hardware compatibility and that’s a good reason to temper expectations for a deliverable timeline.
However, this is Linux we’re talking about, not Windows. Linux comes with the most hardware-compatible drivers of any operating system, bar none, right out of the box. In other words, to certify a flavor of linux for several given hardware sets is a trivial feat, indeed.
Dell’s created the headlines. Now, the leaders need to put their backs into it before a more agile competitor comes along to steal the thunder with, “Hey, we heard you! Since Dell won’t serve you, come over here.”
Last but not least, Dell will need to offer another linux besides Novell SUSE. The devil is in the details on that one, but let’s just summarize it as SUSE has been compromised and thus is generally shunned by all other linux communities. To exclusively offer the only flavor of linux which “is not like the others” would be a disaster.
March 1st, 2007 at 11:45 pm
And now it seems Dell is “stifling commentary” which would be a very ill-advised move.