pre-installed vs self-installed
 

just taking a quick survey

do you prefered pre-instaled linux (like Ubuntu) on systems or do you prefer to self install? And why?

Personally, I prefer self-installed. The reason? I'm a do-it-yourselfer with almost everything, simply because I like to know how things work so I can tweak it if I want, and fix it myself if it breaks.

Cheers

never had any experiance in pre installed stuff,

guess it would be easier for total newbs but otherwise most users would want to install themselves to get the distro they wanted,

though if the coice is pre-installed winblows or pr installed ubuntu then i would choose the ubuntu anyday even if i the wipe it and insatll suse for example

I like to buy pre-installed because it shows my support for the system. The more preinstalls, the more evidence of support there is for the general masses. It keeps companies like Dell selling Linux systems.

I second having the OS pre-installed.

I self-install - the place I like to buy my hardware from sells either with windows installed or nothing at all. It's the only time I ever say that nothing at all is better than windows...

Sorry for the awful pun :)

That's a good point. Purchase to show your support to the vendors for Linux. But I'd probably wipe afterwards, and self install.

Does Dell's Ubuntu install include any Dell or other proprietary stuff?

I would prefer a self install because I can customise the installation to my liking although I would buy a system if it came with Linux preinstalled than spend money on a Windows license that I don't need. The first thing I would do is wipe off Ubuntu and install my favourite distro.

It wouldn't stay on longer than six months since I prefer clean installs over upgrades. Pre-installed sounds great for people who can't be bothered with having to configure a million things that don't make any real difference anyway if they get a decent new computer.

That being said, I'd rather get one with Windows pre-installed. Getting Ubuntu if you already have windows is cheap, but the other way round...

I do the same.

I take a peak into the pre-installed stuff, look around a little bit to see how the vendor's config looks like and then I kill it and install my own stuff. But I don't really use the pre-installed stuff. (Wrong flavor of distribution, privacy and security issues, config style I don't like, missing configs I specifically need because I'm german...)

For the same reason, I still buy really good books even if they're available online and at least a Slackware a year, even though I usally just download it.

And I can avoid buying (and paying and therefore supporting) computers with pre-installed Windows that way. (If they don't deliver just an empty system..)

I think I would always prefer self-installed. To me, the installation and configuration is a large part of what makes GNU/Linux interesting.

Why not make this into a poll, it'll provide more information at a glance.

If you're from Dell, you'll probably be better off pre-installing it. Why ? Because most people don't care if Linux is pre-installed (like me). However Window$ costs money and even a bit more than money (choice and freedom), so I do have a problem with that being pre-installed.

I buy my systems naked, primarily for pricing reasons.
And because I'm anal about who controls my machine(s).


Cheers,
Tink

There's an excellent idea! Maybe "Best Pre-installed Distro" could even be incorporated into the Annual Choice Awards. Perhaps, then, Ubuntu can win 3 polls. :D

Cheers

I would buy a pre-installed system for support only. After purchase, though, I'd wipe and manually install. It gives me greater control...and I actually like installing OSes...kind of like MMOs (to those who play)...the most fun part is creating a character! At least, in games like City of Heroes or EQ2 or Tabula Rasa where there's a good deal of customization...whereas WoW...well, the customization sucks.

Anyway. Manual install because it's fun; pre-installed to send a little cash the developers' (STEVE BALLMER VIDEO!) way and keep interest in *nix increasing.