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First Linux-only Retail Store?
Greedo writes "The Toronto Star is reporting that 'Toronto will become home this weekend to what's being touted as the first retail computer store devoted exclusively to Linux-based products.' The store, Sub500.com, will sell PCs and laptop computers based on Linspire. Marc and David Silverman had been selling Linux products over the Web for 18 months. They also operate a car wash and figured they could use surplus office space at that location to open a Linux store."
Perhaps Toronto's nerds will make a special trip to a Linux-only store, but I don't think many others will be introduced to a new operating system from a small store that's attached to a car wash. That said, Lindows seems like a strange choice of distribution to focus a business on (though they do mention supporting others in the future, but they aren't pushing them for this store opening). Nerds will likely avoid it, even if it is good, since its seen as not worth using if it makes things easy enough a non-nerd could do it. (ie. Mandrake was labeled a "newbie's Linux" at first, though opinion seems to be changing on that one.) Hopefully they find success but they're going to have to evaluate and evolve... people aren't going to be lining up outside just because they can now buy some linux stuff in a store.
Let's see as far as I know there are only 3 Apple stores in downtown T.O. I doubt that a Linux store/ car wash on Dufferin has a Penquins chance in hell of making it (yes even those cute little guys you see on the beaches of Australia). There a ton of cheap computer stores in the College/Spadina area right downtown that'll be more than happy to sell you a cheap machine sans OS. Face it most Linux users know how to download the distro of they're flavour of Linux and in most cases it wont be Lindows. If your a M$ user and want to switch I'd recommend Mac. Me? I'll keep using Mac and Linux (SuSe), but I doubt I'll be visiting this store. Oh, and I don't own a car, not even a Windows one.
Because they're in business and aren't that generous; whereas Linus was in school and appears quite generous.
If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
Why do you say that? I think "gigantic, soulless corporation that manipulates and underpays its workers and offers inferior merchandise solely to funnel money to their shareholders from those consumers so infinitely stupid that they would prefer to saving eleven cents to getting something worthwhile" sums up capitalism fairly well.
Everything Linux in Sydney,Australia has been operating as a retail store (with webfront) for many years now and is totally devoted to linux and linux related products.
Nothing new. Again, our North American cousins believe they are the only people in the world. Been on that page already folks, catch up.