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Dell To Linux Users — Not So Fast
PetManimal writes to tell us that after all the hubbub over Dell's note about manufacturing Linux-friendly Dells and choosing distros, the company is now telling users not to expect factory-installed Linux laptops and desktops anytime soon. According to the article, Dell says that lining up certification, support, and training will 'take a lot of work.' "The company said today that the note was just about certifying the hardware for being ready to work with Novell SUSE Linux, not an announcement that the computers would be loaded and sold with the operating system in the near future..."
What is there to hate about Dell? You most likely hate them because of there home user support. If you worked with enterprise level networks with Dell servers you would see how great there support is. I have a 4 hours contract to where if something breaks they ship me the part and it is in my hands within 4 hours. Now tell me what there is to hate about Dell?
The greatest revenge in life is massive success.
In other words, ship with Ubuntu soon/now and just outsource the support to either the community or the paid pros?
What happens when a customer gets a "RTFM" from the "community"? Dell get a big black eye. What happens when the paid pros can't cut it? Again, Dell gets a big black eye. When you have a brand, you can't just farm it out it anybody.
I don't respond to AC's.
Told you so. Microsoft won't let Dell do it. Microsoft controls the terms of Dell's OEM discount on Windows. Microsoft imposes many requirements for that discount. Why do you think you see "Dell Recommends Windows Vista" all over the site?
To all Slashdotters who don't have enough business knowledge to allow them to successfully operate a lemonade stand.... What you're suggesting is equivalent to saying: Why can't I put my PS2 disks in a Linux box and they just work? Just re-program Linux and make it work. How hard is that?
I don't respond to AC's.