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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: 143
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. "The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
This is a good sign for when I'm back in the money and can afford a new desk top system for the house.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
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.
I'm going to be on them as soon as I get internet service at the house. These jerks really do not want to be on the receiving end of what I will cook up for them on this. It will cost them thousands of dollars to settle a claim I make against them in federal court. And all because they could not do the right thing in the first place. I have all of my ducks in a row and it would be a simple thing to beat them on a claim for breach of contract. This would be known as ex delictu, which is a duty arising out of the contract. I made my damage claim within the time allowed in the commercial rules, and if they fail to settle with me I can sue them for actual damages plus punitive damages and costs. At this point, I am so pissed at them I do not want their product and only want my money back. My old dial up would disconnect long before that could be done.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
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.
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Also, it looks like it's only about $10 to purchase a newer version. I've got at least 10 GB of space left right now. Big bite, though. $10 is a bargain. I'll check it out later, thanks.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
That's the beauty of bittorrent. It can stop and start at will or as connections are restarted.
Does "PC" mean 32 bit architectures? Cause 90%+ of the PC world is not yet on 64 bit architectures.
That dialup was so bad I could not even get bittorrent.
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
Somehow, Microsoft is making this possible through it's ridiculously high price it charges for the shrink-wrapped version of Vista and its nearly bootleg-proof architecture. I will not be surprised if the smaller PC vendors out there would rather not pay Microsoft and sell their boxes with Linux installed if Dell shows that Microsoft must not be the only possible OS on a PC.
Antiparty - find out why, think about 'how'
Looks like PC = x86 or 32 bit
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Downloading, installing and using ubuntu linux has been the subject of recent (ongoing) series in Maximum PC and Smart Computing. For those who wish to try linux without installing it on their PC, ubuntu can be put on a CD and run from the CD. Another flavor of linux available at Office Depot and CompUSA is Xandros Desktop which is one of those complete systems, with applications, that installs with a few mouse clicks. Among its applications, it includes anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall, and the OpenOffice suite. Installed onto a Windows computer, it can automatically create a Linux partition and boot utility to allow use of either operating system. The Home Premium package is about about $70-80. Xandros is a version of Debian Linux. http://maximumpc.com/article/How-To--Install-Linux-the-Easy-Way MaximumPC instructions on installing ubuntu The MaximumPC Official Alternate OS List Smart Computing, Ubuntu: The Fun Of Debian Without The Hassles, October 2006 Smart Computing, Learning Linux, May 2007
Thanks, I'll check out those articles.
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
There are numerous linux brands available on CD that will boot a windows PC into linux on a no-touch trial basis. "kanotix", "knoppix" and "Mandrake (Mandriva) Move" are 3 that I have. All can be downloaded and burned to a CD. I've even got a separate partition on my Mandriva system with kanotix on it which is a bit more friendly with the hardware on my PC for when I need it, which I did to use the modem for a while.
#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.
#5. To: robin (#0)
#6. To: BTP Holdings (#4)
#7. To: Neil McIver (#6)
Hope you can get either reimbursed or get a new delivery.
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.
#8. To: BTP Holdings, Neil McIver (#4)
#9. To: robin (#8)
Install requires at least 2 GB of disk space.
#10. To: BTP Holdings (#7)
My old dial up would disconnect long before that could be done.
#11. To: robin (#8)
Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit and Mac architectures.
#12. To: Neil McIver (#10)
That's the beauty of bittorrent. It can stop and start at will or as connections are restarted.
#13. To: Neil McIver (#1)
#14. To: Neil McIver (#10)
Standard personal computer (x86 architecture, PentiumTM, CeleronTM, AthlonTM, SempronTM)
PowerPC based Apple computers and OpenPower/Power5 computers
64bit AMD and Intel computers
Sun UltraSPARC based
#15. To: robin (#2)
#16. To: nolu_chan (#15)
#17. To: nolu_chan (#15)
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