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Title: Dell Gives the Go-Ahead for Linux
Source:
BBC News
URL Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6506027.stm
Published: Mar 30, 2007
Author: BBC
Post Date: 2007-03-30 02:24:09 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 139
Comments: 17
The second largest computer maker in the world said it had chosen to offer Linux in response to customer demand. Earlier this year, 100,000 people took part in a Dell survey. More than 70% of respondents said they would use Linux. Dell has not released details of which versions of Linux it will use or which computers it will run on, but promised an update in the coming weeks. "Dell has heard you," said a statement on the firm's website. "Our first step in this effort is offering Linux preinstalled on select desktop and notebook systems." Currently the company only offers Microsoft Windows on its computers, but sells servers running Linux. Members of the Linux community welcomed the move. Nick Veitch, senior editor of Linux Format magazine, described it as "significant". "I think it sends a message in two ways," he said. "One is that a major company is confident enough to be able to offer Linux preinstalled on a desktop - that sends a signal that Linux is usable to the average user - and I think it shows that there is a growing demand for an alternative to Windows." 'No surprise' Microsoft is the world's largest software maker and its proprietary Windows operating system is found on nine out of every 10 personal computers. While companies such as Microsoft earn money by licensing and charging for use of their products, Linux code is freely available. That means anyone can modify it or develop applications for it. As a result, there are many different types, or distributions, of Linux operating systems that offer different functionality. As Linux is free to download and distribute, the exact numbers of users is difficult to quantify. However, analysts believe that approximately 6% of computers users run Linux, similar to the numbers choosing Apple Macs. Big business and governments, particularly in the developing world, are also starting to exploit the flexibility of open source code. The UK Cabinet Office recently evaluated the operating system and approved it as a viable alternative to proprietary systems. Car manufacturer Peugeot has also rolled it out across its employees' desktop computers. But until now there has not been a major computer manufacturer willing to preinstall Linux on consumer computers. "The fact that Dell is offering a desktop with Linux is no surprise," said Mr Veitch. "The surprise is that it has taken them this long."
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Computer giant Dell will start to sell PCs preinstalled with open source Linux operating systems, the firm has said. 
The fact that Dell is offering a desktop with Linux is no surprise 
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#1. To: robin (#0)
Outstanding!
I'm surprised. Are you familiar with ubuntu linux? I understand it's very popular with end users, and very friendly.
I've heard of it but that's all. I'm most familiar with Mandriva.
I did order from them and the product arrived damaged. I made a claim and the bums still have not settled with me. I really got screwed over by them and I figure the $50 is lost and the product is unusable. They will not answer my inquiries at all. I will try once more since we have moved and they do not have an updated shipping address. I just figure they have no intention of sending me a replacement and I get no info from UPS on this at all, just that the shipper will be paid on the claim, not me. And that is what really sucks. I hope I can get high speed connected out here soon now that we are moved. I think I will do broadband with the cable company. Then I can download Linux for free.
#6. To: BTP Holdings (#4)
Sorry to hear that. Hope you can get either reimbursed or get a new delivery. I have seen it available at office depot and/or staples so that may be a safer purchase option in the future. Of course downloading is indeed free which I've done and I think I've estimated about 1 week per CD to download over dialup with bittorrent over nighttimes, if anyone would have that kind of patience.
You might try this one. The download is free. I'm sure it takes awhile. I develop on Fedora by RedHat, but this version is becoming very popular for the average user. And catch this, they will ship slightly older versions on CD for free! from here: warning: System Requirements Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit and Mac architectures. CDs require at least 256 MB of RAM. Install requires at least 2 GB of disk space. Also, it looks like it's only about $10 to purchase a newer version.
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#2. To: Neil McIver (#1)
"The surprise is that it has taken them this long."
#3. To: robin (#2)
Are you familiar with ubuntu linux?
#4. To: Neil McIver (#3)
I'm most familiar with Mandriva.
Replies to Comment # 4.
#8. To: BTP Holdings, Neil McIver (#4)
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