1. Right, but how many people actually buy Window? It was shipped with the computer they buy-the majority of the market is preshipped with computers. Sure, there are geniuses who build their own computer and install their own OS. But not very many.
   
   Quote:

   Many people still believe that IBM/PCs run Windows OSes, Macintoshes run Apple OSes. Therefore, they believe any other OS must run on another platform. Therefore, many people believe that they will have buy a brand new computer to run Linux. Many people still believe that their OS was invented by a rags-to-riches genius. He is rich, therefore, they believe that whatever he touches is gold. People blame any problems with their OS on viruses or hardware problems. People are scared to relearn a new operating system. Telling people isn't enough to convince anyone, they have to try it first hand.

Ubuntu is quite simple, if they offer more help online and offline, documentations and example. I'm sure they can make it more simple than Window if it preshipped with new system.
The thing with security is, as Linux get popular, it will get hack. I do not think security wise, it is safer than Window. Window is better at almost everything, from graphic to network to browser. But it is a good thing to have a second choice.

If you could tell from the first look which Linux distribution is The One that will stay free of charges and stay being the greatest for ever, You could make money out of it. It's pretty clear nothing is forever, not even Microsoft, but the good part is: we can always hope that by the time something good ends, something better comes out.

Dell is partnering with Canonical to pre-install Ubuntu Linux on desktops and notebooks as of May 1, 2007. Source EWeek May 7, 2007 VOL. 24 NO. 16 Page 14. So I guess it's not slowly dying it's going COMMERCIAL nee der nee der nee der!!!!!!!!!!

xor

Ps Personally (please note personally speaking) I think it's lame. But then again I like bloat, I want the kitchen sink, the frig, the toilet, and the 2 car garage. That's why I like Suse. Give me bloat or give me death . Actually a Linux distro is what you make it. Want a bloated Ubuntu you got it, what a lean mean Suse you got that to. I like complicated, if it's too easy it doesn't hold my AADD for very long; hence why I think it's lame. The best Linux in IMHO is the Linux you create from a vanilla kernel. Don't look for xorlinux coming to you soon in a Dell commercial. I'm not a bored billionaire, playboy, cosmonaut, at least not yet. The problem with being a bored billionaire, playboy, cosmonaut, I feel is that Ubuntu will only be around long enough until he decides to take his resources to another pet project, perhaps crocodile hunting.

I have been a slackware user for the past 6 years. No matter how many OTHER distros I tried I kept coming back to slackare - it just felt to me what a linux should be and so. When I tried Ubuntu I was very impressed and have actaully started to use it more and more as time does on. I think if Linux is to make it on the desktop are best shot is with a ubuntu type distro - just my two cents.

I love Ubuntu. Linux is like Lego. We can make anything out of it we want. Ubuntu is making an alternative to Windows. You can not argue with me because their first bug is Microsoft's monopoly. I think because they go that way and ad closed source stuff they are actually doing the right thing. They are replacing a completelly closed sourced os with a partly closed source os. That can never be bad. After they brigded the gap and time passes, the closed source parts will eventually be replaced with open sourced parts. I think it will eventually die because it's goal is to replace Windows. After that is been done it does not serve a purpose anymore. On the other side they are setting de facto standards wich is the biggest strength and weakness of Windows ("It just works"). That attracts people, including me. It still is the most widely used distro so we will see.

One frustrating problem that I have with all distributions is the delays between drivers being released for XP or Vista, and none for linux.

An example. Logitech webcam with built-in microphone (USB). Logitech has it released for 85 languages for all Microsoft platforms, but has zero drivers for linux.

I could mention other equipment as well.

XP has plug and play, which generally works. I may not have the driver, but the item identifies itself and via a list of plug and play stuff, the drivers are located, installed and we are off and running*.

True, XP does not have Beryl, or other nice gui interfaces, but it also in its way, has a richness of applications, some free, and some not so free.

I have 2 years of linux experience, and still, I am a debutant.

Leslie Satenstein
Montreal

Ubuntu makes Linux more popular. With Dell selling Ubuntu it will get more attantion and hopefully better drivers. The problem with those official drivers is that they are not open source. That is why some people create their own drivers for it. If you bought the right Logitech webcam by looking at a third party drivers list you can use it under Linux. AT least I did, I have a USB Logitech webcam with a mic too. Take a look at this list: http://mxhaard.free.fr/spca5xx.html

Please report this as a feature request in the upcomming Ubuntu version here: http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=253

The only attention Dell/Ubuntu is going to get out of this will be negative.

$40 less for a Linux system, with no support, and limited configuration options.

Dell expects to sell 20,000 of these.

Canonical support is $65 for 30-days, and $125-$275 for a year. It does not even matter at this point: charge $10, or $10,000, no one [at home] buys support. 1/10 of 1% to 1% max.

Now I see... They will sell about 200 contracts for a year, a number of people will send their systems back since iTunes, MS Office, games, etc, will not install/work, plenty of blame will be put every which way.

Canonical will not make anything on this deal... Even if 10% bought a yearly support contract, and that would only happen in a WILD DREAM [I have experience selling support for open-source, GPL-like software/packages], we are still talking about pennies here, relatively speaking.

And where is there to go from here but down?

As I've stated before, today, the 24th of May, is a sad day. This whole mess seems to either be a joke, or something that is designed to help Microsoft.

One of the nice features of UBUNTU, and coming to other distributions, is the automatic installation of "Propriatory codecs". It is illegal for UBUNTU or Red Hat, to distribute them, but not illegal for the end user to install and use them. Ubuntu makes this option possible.

So, the only thing left is the very recent software such as Itunes, etc.
And if the system comes with a linux pre-installed, and the automatic updates turned off, that system will be as stable on day 3000 as it was on day 0001

But if you are expecting to do daily updates and install beta software, it is "Caviat Emptor" or buyer beware.

Anyway, most probably, one out of every two Dell linux boxes shipped will shortly be loaded with (legal or not,) some version of Microsoft software, be it XP or Vista.

Seriously, I think a lot of Linux users will buy these pc's. Dell would not have done that if just three people would have submitted the idea to Dell's brainstorm (or whatever they call it).

How many Linux users are there in America? How many want to have a Ubuntu system without the hassle? How many people in America like Ubuntu but have problems installing it because some piece of hardware is not supported? How many Linux users in America don't want Ubuntu but will pay Dell out of respect or out of protest? How many people in America don't want Ubuntu but want a system that is 'Linux compatible'? ...still think that they won't sell a lot of Ubuntu pc's?

The average joe/cutegirl89 are not even interested in Linux and therefore won't get one and don't complain. The newbies that are interested in Linux probably have at least some interest in computers and probably will find a way to use Wine (applications->add/remove->Wine->install)

Most Linux users already have a Linux system, and/or prefer to build their own.

The only reason Dell is doing this is to get away from the Linux fanboys that posted to IdeaStorm. They have tried to get out of it twice so far. Dell knew that none of them would actually purchase a system, but they had to save face.

Anyways, whats the saving here? Its not even $40 less for the XPS 410, but $10, since shipping is free for the Vista Home Premium system, over the Ubuntu system!

And the laptop offers -- don't make me laugh. The entire cost is offset with the native intel graphics chipset, over a dedicated card.

This is a sham. It was from the beginning. I would say this was also designed to give Dell leverage over Microsoft, to negotiate a better deal -- but from what I have been told, they are already only paying $25 per Windows license.

You're absolutely right; Many users who loathe Windows have never even heard of Linux, but are considering buying a Mac. "Anything is better than Microshaft's crapware".

Personally, I literally preach Linux. I send links to news articles concerning XP's life cycle, Vista's true security, and Linux's performance to everyone I know. And I've distributed several CDs to satisfied friends.

For those who think this is a scam, that might would work for Microsoft, but it would put Dell in the grave. Surely Mike is smart enough to realize that.

I do not think Dell is toying with the idea. Fact is people will buy them since it will be cheaper than system equipped with Vista OS, and mean a higher profit for Dell. The market is aiming for pre-existing LInux users looking for hardware upgrade, hence a Dell computers. There are always a chance of a newbie purchasing Linux..if it is a newbie, what are the different to them whether if it Vista or Ubuntu? Window Vista rely on it Window fans, or dogs of old habits, but this is technology, do people afraid of trying new things? I wasn't, I think...uhhhh Ubuntu is going weird on me guys..hehehe. Can Window hold its monopoly forever? can it? I don't know, it is a free market after all. The product has been around for 2 decades now. Once in a while you get a genius like Bill, good in tech and business.

In the end, I think Linux will suceed. Microsoft will be the cause.
I bought my first pc and it came with Win98SE installed. That is the only reason I had a Win system.
I upgraded to Win2000Pro, making not only Microsoft happy, but also Semantec.
Later I upgraded to WinXP Pro.
All along, there were the problems with viruses, and all the other problems that keep a Microsoft user purchasing other third party software to "protect" his Win system, and not always successfully.The infamous blue window.
My XP crashed. I couldnot reboot from my XP upgrade. When I called Microsoft support, I was told that the only way to reboot my XP Pro was to repurchase the regular version as you cannot reboot from the upgrade. (I had lost my Win2000Pro disc, which I would have to reload. in order to reboot XP from the upgrade disc.
Disgust with Microsoft finally prodded a reaction and I ventured into a Linux system, RedHat, then SuSe, Xandre and a few others. It was like seeing sunrise for the first time...goodbye Microsoft, good riddance.
As long as Microsoft treats its' users in this manner, it will create disgust that will eventually turn to rejection.
If all of the Linux distros can come up with a base commonality that makes it easy for all Linux users to obtain user compatibility, then linux, what ever the distro, will blow Microsoft out of the water.
And incidentally, there is nothing wrong with reasonable profits, whether a Win company or a Linux company.

Pirate: "Yar! Me getting Windows from warez! Me student without money so I save $10, savvy?"
Dave: "I don't like Vista. I still have Windows XP cd. Why pay $10 for Windows ME 2?"
Linux fanboy: "m$ W1nd0s 5Uck5! L1nuXXx teh pwnage! Me rEsp3cT f0r l1NuX me Support Dell!"
Richard stallman: "It's GNU/Linux!!! First I will write a lettre to Dell and after that I am going to need to get a GNU/Linux system for I am anarchist and I have little money because money is the root of all evil."