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.

Comments

Where is AOL mentioned?

[sugarman]

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?

Re:AOL? AOL?

[bgarcia]

AOL is WinWare, and the last time I checked, with no intention to ever support Linux.

Don't bet on it. AOL hates the fact that their prime competitor MSN (Microsoft Network) is owned by the same company that makes the Operating System their software requires. MSN gets bundled with every copy of Windows, and AOL has to kiss Microsoft butt to make sure their software is bundled with every copy of Windows too. And still, when you start up Internet Explorer for the first time, it asks if you want to join the Microsoft Network.

If AOL can sell their software on a Microsoft-free computer, then that's one less competitor they need to worry about

In fact, most Linux users wouldn't touch AOL with a ten-foot pole.

True, but Linux users aren't the intended consumers of AOL PC's. These things will be aimed at the people who currently use AOL, WebTV, etc. I just hope Corel and KDE are up to the task of making Linux easy enough for these people to use.