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Corel To Launch Linux PCs With Intel
Ami Ganguli writes, "This morning's edition of Canada's Globe and Mail claims that Corel and Intel are discussing an alliance to produce cheap Linux boxes. The article claims that a major PC vendor, a browser developer, and an ISP would also be involved. It sounds like a two year commitment to AOL may soon land you a free PC with Linux and Corel Office 2000. " It's all rumors and "talks" at this point, however.
Sounds like good stuff
AOL on a Linux Desktop. What is the world coming to?
It's gonna be interesting to see these machines working, let's see if user-friendliness increases on linux
On the other hand, this would go a long way towards pushing the whole internet appliance concept forward.
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+ The urge to destroy is a creative urge
Yes, but that would still be a two year commitment to AOL! Some of us would rather slit our wrists :-) Seriously, though, it's nice to see, even if I won't personally be interested.
"The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." -- Delos B. McKown
Burn it in an appropriate ritual of cleansing and casting out of demons? Doe aol run on linux? or unix for that matter? I wasn't aware of any such support.
Judge Pag, the Learned, Impartial, and Very Relaxed
/sarcasm With the fallout between Microsoft and Intel over the processor requirement seems to have sparked the division of the two companies. Corel shipping these new systems it can only mean one thing. Enter Lintel! The next great scourge in Hardware/Software monopolies. /sarcasm off
AOL's proprietary network protocols already screw up Windows. If you've got problems and happen to have AOL installed, all you have to do is remove that funky "AOL adapter" from your network protocols and things get better. Do we really want them screwing with Linux, throwing their protocols in, and generally kludging things up? I doubt it!
I've really got nothing againgst AOL as a company. They've got near world-wide access. But their procedures leave a lot to be desired. If a standard ISP had as big an infrastructure as AOL does, that would be great (or if AOL would revert to standard protocols).
Brad Johnson
--We are the Music Makers, and we
are the Dreamers of Dreams
Brad Johnson
Sounds like good stuff
:)
I really didn't like AOL in the first place however if you can do it on linux that would mean people like my grandparents would never even notice me replacing their windows box
Slashdot social engineering at it's finest
The retarded tech support staff of AOL can barely handle windows issues. I'd like to know how they would explain to my grandma how to set up a modem and PPP under linux.
Remember those Netwinders, with those cool little ARM processors. Why not make a deal with CorelHardware/AOL/Corel instead? Am I just uninformed? Do these things even exist anymore?
Here's another question. Can anyone shed light on the cryptic last line of the article, the line after Deal Update:
What is Inprise? What's the merger mentioned?I see that they only commit you to two years of AOHell, but I don't know if that'd be a big factor. The reality is that the people buying these cheapo internet boxes are usually ultra-low-level consumers. They've never heard of Linux. Also, who's going to stock these in the retail stores where a lot of these consumer PCs are still sold? I think most of the sales are going to be to family and freinds of Linux advocates and to the Linux advocates themselves who need an extra PC. But how many people is that? Too soon, is my judgement. -N
I am the one true god. However, as an atheist, I don't believe in myself. I guess I have a self-esteem problem.
maybe i.m blind but i.ve read the news story several times and not once is AOL mentioned ANYWHERE...did hemos actually read the news story before he made his post or does he know something that he.s not telling the rest of us? if someone could clarify this it would be greatly appreciated... got root?
A Linux version of AOL Instant Messenger?!
:P
Do you realise there is a free upgrade available?
There is a free upgrade available for this software?
There is yet another free upgrade available?
Do you realise you haven't been to the AOL Instant Messenger Update Page in the past x hours?
AOL - Its knowledge; Its power; IT SUCKS!
Ripping an new rectum in the fabric of spacetime.
OpenDK is being used between Linux and AOL. Sort of the same kluge as using WINE for, well, anything.
Thank you.
Why is AOL on linux even being discussed since it is not mentioned in the actual article. Did anybody actually read the story before posting?
If not here is the only mention of an ISP in the whole story:
Mr. Cowpland said the talks are "multifaceted" and involve other computer industry players. Although he wouldn't reveal further details, Corel and Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel would likely also want to include a computer maker, a browser company and an Internet service provider. "There's a huge amount of action."
Hmmm. Well Netscape does have a browser, and sponsors Mozilla. SOL, ooppps, I mean AOL did buy Netscape. This is one of those things that sounds both likely and unlikely at the same time. I'm not sure SOL, oooppppps there I go again, I mean AOL needs to give away boxes to get users to sign up; but it would be a cheap way to do it.
Anyway for an ISP to produce cheap computers to get users to sign-up makes sense, and it does get Linux on more desktops. Corel is a good choice also, Corel's distribution is specifically geared towards desktop users, and it is more newbie friendly at that. Who knows? Wait an see!
"Open code, in other words, can be a check on state power." -Lawrence Lessig
Hate to bring this up, but I didn't see AOL specificall mentioned anywhere in the linked article. The closest I could find was:
<i>Mr. Cowpland said the talks are "multifaceted" and involve other computer industry players. Although he wouldn't reveal further details, Corel and Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel would likely also want to include a computer maker, a browser company and an Internet service provider.</i>
While AOL could provide 2 of the 3 requirements, and are quite likely to be providing one (Mozilla/Netscape), there is nowhere where they are specifically mentioned. What's the big deal people?
As an aside, would AOL run under Wine? OR would Corel's efforts in that area maybe enable them to port it?
--sugarman--
...plus you'd have to buy your own coasters for the two year period where AOL owns you and they don't send you the "free minutes" CDs.
I think this is great and all, but wouldn't it make a little more sense to wait for a few months until the next wave of the Linux desktop services come out?
Corel uses a modified version of KDE. It would be in their best interests (IMNSHO) to wait for KDE2 to come out so that developers for those systems can take advantage of all the cool new features of that platform.
Ditto for XFree 4 (standard 3D graphics), Mozilla (a usable browser) and the 2.4 kernel (USB support).
I realize that there will never be a time where there isn't something new coming down the pike, but with all of the above coming sometime in the next 6 months or so I believe patience would be a virtue.
If Corel jumps the gun, they may be putting themselves in a rather hard position. Right now, they don't even ship with glibc 2.1. In order to get much of anything to run, you have to upgrade. OK, for me that's not a problem. For their target market, that *will* be a problem.
Call me conservative, but rushing to market here is not the best idea. Remember our credo, ship it when its ready.
Cheers
David
This could be the stepping stone to Linux's "World Domination". Computer newbies can rent/buy the computer, OS and ISP in one step. Since the OS is free, the price will be competitive to Win platforms, and hopefully they'll integrate the hardware, software and OS to make installation a breeze. This could be Linux for the masses - it might be big.
It's *much* more likely that the ISP would actually be an ISP, along the lines of Internet Direct (here in Canada anyway). Internet Direct already has an alliance with Future Shop and eMachines, so something like this seems to be a perfect fit for them.
Is this post not nifty? Sluggy Freelance. Worshi
Is Linux the "savior" of Intel from M$?
Sounds like a great way to get linux into more homes, but the last people I want to order one of these are the people I know.
I spend enough time providing computer help to friends and family, it's hard to put my foot down.
On another note (sorry, its sort of off topic), while I am typing... anyone out there use a wrist brace? My right wrist is killing me, and has been for a long time (on and off). I haven't spoken to a doctor yet, but I intend to... I have noticed that i move the mouse with my wrist a lot, rather than using my arm.
Any recommendations of where to get a wrist brace?
- Hugh Buchanan
- Userfriendly.com
A US postal service employee was involved in a shooting rampage today, reports quote him as saying "These net appliances are just to damn big to put in every mailbox", referring to AOL new mass marketing program where 500billon of the devices have been mailed out to everyone in the states.
...but yes, it's just speculation.
Remember that Corel wants to go for the mainstream consumer market. AOL is the domininant player. Add to that the fact that AOL owns Netscape and it makes a whole lot of sense.
If you look at it another way, Corel would be foolish to try to take on Microsoft head-on (again) without some serious backing. AOL is the only ISP that's big enough (and hates Microsoft enough) to pull this off. Partnering with people like iDirect would only work if they had a network of similar sized ISPs across the continent.
It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail. - Abraham Maslow
Point being, it's possible to screw up the configuration files in ways that KPPP can't fix.- -------
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+ The urge to destroy is a creative urge
And in many cases with Linux software, you have to be logged in as root (or at least su) to install software in the first place... so AOL could easily exploit that. Ugh, any software company could.
Hm... suddenly, widespread acceptance of Linux doesn't seem like a good thing any more... do I really want Microsoft to have root access on my machine while it's installing Microsoft Office for LInux? :-) - -------
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+ The urge to destroy is a creative urge
I was listening to a Toronto all-news radio station (AM 680 News) and they have said that Intel refutes the article saying they are not in any specific talks with Corel...
Corel's Michael Cowpland claims to be in "multi-faceted" talks with Intel... whatever that means...
BlackNova Traders
In a surprise move, Corel, after reaching a record $95 per share, buys Redhat which had dropped to $53 per share.
Sources close to the Corel say that the main reason Corel Linux has been so popular is because Corel Linux has a pretty box, and uses very little harsh red colors.
In a related story, Debian decided to change their product name to GNUnix to further distance themselves from consumers and common sense.
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Next Article: Intel releases 2 Ghz Carroton to compete against AMD's k9(dogathlon)
hold F4 and Alt to continue.
"But Mr. Cooper said Intel believes in choice. "It's certainly good news for consumers," he said of the talks."
Anyone else see a conflict here?
--MessiahXI
I don't know about KDE, what I've seen of it looks pretty good (I use GNOME personally) but I very much doubt if Corel are at a newbie friendly stage yet... I found their distribution to be a pain in the neck, and couldn't wait to fdisk it... worst of all was that nasty file manager that they're so proud of...
I think they have some good ideas for making Linux more newbie friendly, but the implementation is a long way from perfect at this time... I dread to think what perception of Linux people could get from a Corel Linux box running Netscape (not our most reliable piece of software I think it's safe to say!), AOL (hate hate hate), and running on whatever hardware Intel want to get rid of because they're pushing new products out so fast that last year's stuff is now worthless in their eyes...
Maybe I am just overly pessimistic, but this seems fraught with potential to make Linux look bad, in my overly vocal opinion...
Regards,
Denny
# Using Linux in the UK? Check out Linux UK
Police State UK - news and
Currently AOl does not suport Linux. I have met many people who's only reason not to switch to Linux is that they can't or wont give up AOL. Hence we have http://www.xaol.org . This open source project is still in the very early stages but we are always looking for help. Please visit the web site xaol.org and feel free to contact the project. -Jeffrey
What I'm wondering is this: Will people like me who live away from the tendrils of AOL, still be able to get hold of the cheap Linux boxen?
:v)
Vik
This is such a bad idea, I don't even know where to start. This is like the Java client station idea... Nobody wants that thing, nobody wanted it to begin with, but someone somewhere stubbornly convinced themselves that it was a good idea and so it came to be. And flopped miserably.
The same thing will happen with any arrangement that ties Linux and AOL together. It just won't happen. Nobody wants it, nobody will buy into it, so why is it being discussed? Can't the marketing execs take their heads out of their perverbial asses and look around at reality before making these decisions?
Disclaimer: I have *not* read any of the links contained within the original post. So I don't know if what I'm reading about in replies is even accurate...i.e., I don't know that the deal is purported to tie Linux to AOL in anyway...
--t
Are we sure it will be a celeron base system??
Corel already has a pc-like computer and it is the netwinder.
Ir runs on a strongArm cpu that is way cheaper than a celeron.
Are they going to throw away all the R&D and investment they did on it for bundling another low cost "e-machine like" pc?
It makes more sense to me to push netwinder: it already run Linux and it is small, fast, well designed even if last price tag was around $800
My $.02
Max
{twitch}{twitch} AOL and Linux?!? That's a scaaaaary thought. The thought that AOL programmers would be able to write AOL's software to run on Linux is preposterous to me...my ghod, when I called "support" to ask about a "known issue" with AOL 4.0 and the modem I was using, the guy was like, "Known issue? What's that?"
Right now, why bother with usability? Most geeks don't complain about user interfaces at all.<p>
(psst, is it just me, or is extrans broken today?)
Want to work at Transmeta? Hedgefund.net? Priceline?
Can your IM do this?
Microsoft will release IE 5.5 this summer, but I heard rumors that there will be no IE6. IE will completely disappear inside Windows. The next version of MSN is codenamed "Mars". Mars is hybrid of IE, Microsoft's Neptune UI, and an AOL-ripoff. Here's a Mars screenshot from a John Dvorak article about Mars .
Mars is just a local, non-web-based "portal". I can't see any advantages Mars has over web-based MyYahoo-like personalized portals. It's like the Labrea tar pits for getting customers stuck in the Microsoft mud.. er, innovations. And why those sickly dayglo colors?? Microsoft must think that all AOL users are teeny-boppers.
cpeterso
The way I see it, the benefits would be that first of all, Linux would (have to) get an interface designed for the mass audience. Linux's UI is currently developed by geeks for geeks, and it shows -- if they're serious about it, Corel/AOL/Intel have the muscle to develop something usable for the masses. Second, this would "sneak" Linux to a large group of people who would never otherwise even think about getting a Linux system, which will instantly increase the user base for all sorts of non-geek applications: more demand for games, more testers (guinea pigs?) for Corel Office, etc. And third, for every computer-illiterate AOLite mom who signs up so she can chat about soap operas, the same family will have a budding hacker kid who will now get the chance to grow up with Linux.
Or, to put a more pessimistic slant on the issue, until something like this happens I doubt Linux will ever be able to escape the server/geek-niche. But with more and more companies dishing out free PCs, ditching that expensive MS operating system will soon start to look mighty promising...
Cheers,
-j.
Intel Says No Talks With Corel On Cheap PCs By STUART WEINBERG
TORONTO -- An Intel Corp. (INTC) spokesman said the company isn't in talks with Corel Corp. (CORL) to launch a line of "cheap personal computers," as was reported Thursday in the Globe and Mail.
"There are no discussions about a specific project, such as the one discussed in the Globe and Mail," Intel spokesman Adam Grossberg told Dow Jones.
Grossberg said Intel works with "hundreds and hundreds" of software companies, including Corel, "to make sure that their software runs great on Intel architecture." Aside from that ongoing relationship, there are no projects underway between the two companies, he said.
The Globe and Mail report said Corel was in talks with Intel and at least one major computer maker to launch a line of personal computers that would compete with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT).
Corel spokeswoman Catherine Hughes wouldn't confirm or deny the Globe and Mail story, saying only that Intel is one of many companies that Corel is talking to about "a number of different projects." She declined to elaborate on the nature of the projects.
Shares of Corel are surging Thursday, up 2 1/4, or 16%, to 16 3/8 on about 7.9 million shares on Nasdaq.
Corel Corp. (CORL) spokeswoman Catherine Hughes said the company will continue its relationship with Microsoft while at the same time working on more Linux intiatives. "We cooperate with Microsoft on a number of points, and we also believe in competition," she said.
Hughes said Corel was also looking at ways to bridge the gap between the Linux and Windows operating systems, though she declined to elaborate.
She said the company held its annual meeting Wednesday, and that shareholder reaction to the planned merger between Corel and Inprise/Borland was positive.
At the meeting, both Inprise chief executive Dale Fuller and Corel chairman and chief executive Michael Cowpland emphasized that "they feel positive moving forward," she said. Cowpland said he expects the merger - an all-stock transaction in which Inprise shareholders are to receive 0.747 of a Corel share for each share held - to be approved by shareholders sometime in June.
The vote of confidence in the merger came one day after Inprise director C. Robert Coates made public his resignation from the Inprise board. He quit in early February before the board approved the merger.
Hughes said Corel was on schedule to release its WordPerfect Office Suite for Linux in April. She said sales of the company's Linux operating system were US$3.2 million as of November.
-Stuart Weinberg, Dow Jones Newswires; 416-306-2032
Nah, not a fair exchange. I think they will have to offer some financial remineration on top of the PC. I enjoy the web the way it is and I have no desire to put up with all those chat rooms full of kiddies talking inane rubbish.
I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
Does AOL even have software for linux? Just a thought on the patheticness of it all.
i have misplaced my signature.
Seriously... some ISP's say you can use Linux with them... but they won't support. Maybe AOL will play the same way? Face it, Linux is not for the "everyman" to configure, let alone have to be walked through over the phone. What are they going to do, stupify Linux and make it.... Windows? Anyone else see this trend?
Better go back and check the Corel PR page and the Intel PPR page.
Corel is disowning the story as is Intel. Here is a clarification from Corel.
"Corel has enjoyed a long standing relationship with Intel Corporation. Since 1997, Corel has optimized its software for Intel's processors. Corel has also included Intel's MMX technology in our flagship WordPerfect office and CorelDRAW graphics suites. In early 1999, we optimized our products for the Pentium III processor chip and are looking with interest to Intel's next generation of processors.
At the same time, Corel is in regular contact with major hardware manufacturers regarding bundling opportunities for Corel's award-winning applications, including Corel LINUX OS and our forthcoming WordPerfect Office for Linux. Corel CEO Michael Cowpland's remarks quoted in yesterday's Globe & Mail were in reference to these general discussions and were not related to any specific deal or ongoing discussions with any particular company.
See what happens when you have to many press releases floating around or you spend to much time doing PR instead of taking care of business.
Its only a matter of time before Corel gets bitten by an errant PR release yet again.
.
If AOL were to be ported to Linux, the problem of AOL not using NN/Mozilla as it's built-in browser would become nill. With Linux's wild popularity and dazing growth-rate they would no longer have to strictly concern themselves with gaining users through Windows so therefore they could dare to shed the evil cloak of IE.
"Corel Linux"
Just have a look at it dickhead, it's the nicest distro I've seen in a long time...it makes it easy enough for even you thick M$ drones to install a decent O/S.
If this doesn't help bring Linux to the desktop, nothng will!