Walmart Rules... or at least Microtel Computer Systems does !
GeneralThis forum is for non-technical general discussion which can include both Linux and non-Linux topics. Have fun!
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
Walmart Rules... or at least Microtel Computer Systems does !
I might not agree on their labor practices, but check out Walmart and Microtel Computer Systems response to the article about their OS'less PC's they sell at Walmart, in which the modems packaged with the PC's weren't Linux compatible.
I have to agree with the author of the article on all points. This was and if true, IS a great step forward for the open source community. It's about time someone thought of this, and if the modem is the only goof, oh well. They plan to fix it and that's awesome. Every co. or manufact. goofs here and there.
You do have to wonder how no-one noticed that it was a winmodem - my guess is that they knew and went through with the comps anyway.
Apart from that it is great response for a large company - does this just prove that supermarkets will do anything for customer service? I don't know....
Does anyone know a price for the machine?
Also, supposing (just for a sec - and only a sec! ) that I wanted to install windows on the machines. Would my current windows 'licensed' disks allow me to install? I am thinking yes if you take it off the original computer?
I know that I can install it anyway, just does the windows EULA say I can or not.
OK, were these machines specifically aimed at Linux users? <compelete cynicism>
My bet is that they weren't. If they were, someone at Walmart/Microtel would have noticed the whole Winmodem goof prior to it going on sale. Now, I'm completely cynical about the practices of Supermarkets, so I'm more inclined to believe that they were selling these machines at those that didn't want the latest Windows bundled, and are therefore more likely to buy Windows off the shelf, and thus make the company more money. </complete cynicism>
Sometimes it is pitty that major department stores are not paying attention on components of the products sold, and most of the time it is ignored that there are OS's beside windows. But I am glad that the issue was addressed and hopefully resolved.
Honestly, i'd have to think that they had Linux in mind when they decided to sell these systems. What would be the point of putting out an OSless system if Windows was the only intended OS? The fact that they seem to have jumped on the modem to fix it so quickly is another reason I think it was just a mistake. If they were so quick in making sure it was Linux compatible, why would anyone think that they hadn't thought of it beforehand?
It was suggested that selling computers without OEM versions of windows pre-installed would bolster the sales of the OS bought from shops shelves. That could have been why they went ahead with a winmodem in the first place. But that's me being cynical
It was suggested that selling computers without OEM versions of windows pre-installed would bolster the sales of the OS bought from shops shelves. That could have been why they went ahead with a winmodem in the first place. But that's me being cynical
I think it is a good point, another thing is there are so many fooled around here who would go and buy this PC, add the monitor for a $150 and Windows XP for $200, and they would think it is a bargain.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.