AOL's new Linux PC

minus_273 writes " MSNBC (of all places ) has an intersting article about AOLs new PC. We have already heard of Lindows , WALMART PC and there was speculation of AOL Red Hat. Well, it looks like this is what AOL decided to do. All 3 are mixed into one. AOL now has a beta 7.0 client that is distributed with Lindows along with AIM and Netscape. I wonder if this stuff will work on normal Linux without WINE."

Comments

HOORAY!

[RailGunner]

As I've said before on numerous occasions, for Linux to truly give MS a run for the money on Home user desktops, two things need to happen:

1. AOL client for Linux
2. Native game support

Now, as much as I tend to mock AOL users, being that AOL is not a convicted monopolist, they're the lesser of two evils by far. But now that #1 on my list looks like it's happening, MS better be very nervous. There's millions of AOL users who own a computer and do nothing but connect to AOL on it. There's now NO compelling reason for them to use Microsoft software.

This news has made my day. I'm being optimistic and hopeful here, but could this day signal the beginning of the end of Microsoft? (Especially since some games are coming out with native Linux support.. like Unreal Tournament 2003)

MSNBC

[starling]

It's time to lose the "MSNBC (of all places)" type comments. They consistently put out interesting tech stories with no bias towards or against Microsoft, and I they seem take their journalistic impartiality seriously.

No, I don't work for them.

Re:MSNBC

[JordoCrouse]

It's still pretty ironic, though.

Is it still ironic if:

* ABC News does a report on the new Warner Brothers movie? (ABC is owned by Disney)

* Dateline NBC interviews the president of Sony? (NBC is owned by GE)

* CBS does an piece on Fox's American Idol?

And so on.... the original poster had the right idea. Its about journalistic integrity, not pandering to the owners. Providing stories of general interest is the main mission of the MSNBC group, and as long as they are making money, I am sure that NBC and Microsoft could care less if they happen to post stories that highlight their competitors or put themselves in a lesser light. Hell, if it increases readership, they might even do it more.

Re:The problem

[phorm]

I still see people having some issues using various online programs/games with AOL, but if it works for your account then it suits your means. A lot of us were just turned off by AOL a long time ago, and found solutions which better suited our needs. I should have rephrased this that it that AOL may help lead some windows users down the linux road (despite how many of us hate them, AOL does manage to gather customers), but probably won't see many linux users going to their product.

A few kudos to AOL though

• AOL floppies were formattable (free blank disks)
• AOL CD's became coasters, the new cases are rugged and nice for DVD's/etc
• As you mentioned, they support Netscape/Winamp/ICQ.

I reserve the right to apply a -1 to AOL for ICQ adware. I use trillian so it doesn't matter to me, I use their network so they still provide me with a decent service. The needs suit the audience. If AOL can help people get online and on linux, I really don't mind them - so long as they're not lagging up my battle.net games.

3: Somebody's lagging, who's your ISP?
2: What's an ISP?
1: The company that provides your internet connection
2: Oh, I'm using AOL
1: Kill player 2 first, he's AOL, that'll clear the lag
Yes, I often saw this on b-net - phorm

Best part - REAL cost of Windows being exposed

[WarpedMind]

It only got one line of play in the article but that fact that Wal-Mart is selling the same computer for a $100 more that includes windows is significant.

Never before has the public been offered such clear presentation of the real cost of Windows. (At least not in such a large forum.)

Always before MS has been able to hide the cost the consumer is paying. Now that Wal-Mart draws it out in black and white, users will finally have a REAL choice about what OS they want to use on their PC.