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Dell's Secret Linux Fling

Posted by Zonk on from the far-from-the-prying-eyes-of-the-world dept.

Slagged writes "The Register has up an article on Linux-based Dell systems being sold in China. While Microsoft quashed an attempt by Dell to create a market for Linux PCs in the U.S., such restrictions are not the case in Asia. From the article: 'Fifteen months ago our own Ashlee Vance, who broke the news of the first break-up in 2001, proved how hard it is to buy a PC from Dell without Windows. Not pre-loaded with Linux mind you - but simply a bare bones box. But far away from the prying eyes of Steve Ballmer, romance is blossoming. An eagle-eyed reader found the fruits of the union, brazenly on display in a Beijing subway.' The article has pictures of the advertisements, which offer Dell PCs preloaded with 'Red Flag Linux'."

5 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Lawl by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    Red flag linux... Thats funny. if it had a HOSTS file (its linux) I'm sure that wikipedia.whatever would point to a censorship site, along with any blog authoring sites. Does linux offer something similar to a HOSTS file?
    You, sir, are a fucking moron. Where do you *think* Microsloth got the idea for their fucking HOSTS file, dumbass? It's from UNIX-land, and it's called /etc/hosts on any UNIX system, including Linux.
    Also, in this case, would ssh, https, and proxy settings be completely disabled/removed?
    And Red Flag Linux is open source, dumbass. The Chinese government uses it for its own shit. Why don't you try using your fucking pea-brain for just once before you attempt to post? *sigh*
  2. Tinfoil hat time by wsanders · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    > Microsoft quashed an attempt by Dell to create a market for Linux PCs in the U.S

    Disclaimer: Both my grandfathers were Freeemasons, so I'm in on the conspiracy.

    I subscribe to the Dell Poweredge Linux mailing list - it a continual litany of woe from Linux newbies whining about how they can't get the latest random distro to work perfectly with the latest something-or-other. (Along with the odd message about the Broadcom ethernet and onboard RAID drivers locking up.) It's perfectly within Dell's rights to sell only preloaded systems with their qualified OSes, particularly since they have only a skeleton crew of talented people to support Linux, and their onboard RAID controllers are mostly useless unless used with drivers built with this morning's patches. And it's perfectly within our rights to buy boxes better-suited for the task, or to cough up the bucks for RHEL or Suse. There's plenty of competition here, see Penguin, et al.

    --
    Give a man a fish and you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish, and he'll say "WHERE'S MY FISH, YOU IDIOT?"
  3. "Red Flag Linux?" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I knew it - software designed by commie bastards for commie bastards.

  4. Re:A near guarantee by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    I think the pirating also helps Microsoft more than it hurts. The large pirated install base helps to maintain Microsoft's monopoly position.

    "Sure, I stole his car, but he got a better one out of the insurance money!"
    "Well, yeah, I did kidnap them, but they've made a fortune writing about the experience!"
    "She enjoyed it, officer!"

    Unfortunately, the fact that the victim benefited is rarely a valid defence in a court of law. What's wrong is wrong, period.

  5. Re:Red Flag Linux?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    You are not funny, you little dirty ass-smelling skunk. Now stop trying to be and go back to your mom's basement where you belong.