Slashdot Mirror
Best Buy Is Selling Ubuntu
SirLurksAlot writes "It appears that Best Buy is now selling Ubuntu, both through its Web site and in its brick-and-mortar locations. Going by the release on the product page, Ubuntu has actually been available for the low, low price of $19.99 since May 6th of this year. It is being packaged as the 'Complete Edition.' While they don't specify on the site what version is being offered, a quick call to a local store revealed it to be Hardy Heron, the latest Long Term Support version. How did this development fly under the radar for over two months without anybody noticing?"
GPL says they can do anything with the code as long as it remains GPL. That includes selling it.
Or am I missing something?
Shareware shows that sometimes you can get people to pay more for free software than for pay software.
What do you mean? Shareware is not free software by any definition of free.
wtf? I thought you weren't allowed to actually "sell" Ubuntu for money? (Besides, of course, ordering the cd from Ubuntu for like $1)
Break out the beer folks, this one's gotta be good.
Absolutely nothing in the GPL states that you couldn't sell it (as long as you include the source code). So keep your beer and actually read the terms you are talking about next time.
Yes, No , Yes, Yes (from Ubuntu wiki/forums)
as predicted the break down of posts so far is
- idiot! why would I buy anything I can download for free
- doh! they'll return it when they realise that Windows SW does not work
- how can you sell something when it is given away freely?
They can sell it for as much as they want as long as they preserve the license - they are only selling the CD manufacturing and packaging as a service.
Ans I think this has all been a little unsupportive.
Frankly I support any and all efforts to make Linux more widespread, and a great many people will feel happier with a pressed CD instead of a cheapo burnt one. Yes we can download it, but we are NOT the target audience here.
And, to be honest, I'm just happy enough that it is now considered possible to sell it in best buy - that would of been unthinkable a few years ago.
If this caters for a new audience, or gets even a few thousand more people using it - then fair play to them.
because verily nobody is stupid enough to buy something they can download legally! Right? Right!? I mean come on, people don't even buy stuff they can download illegally anymore ...
They're not just selling Ubuntu. They're selling Ubuntu with support. The support is what people are paying for.
ValuSoft is a division of THQ. They publish and distribute (usually inexpensive and crappy) games and software. I would imagine they are the ones that produce the disc, box, and booklets that come with this Ubuntu package and they handle distributing it to stores. I'd be interested to see if the box has anything on it about the sort of tech support you can get. I kind of doubt ValuSoft is handling tech support for Ubuntu. That seems beyond their scope.
1 (short ton / firkin) = 89.1432354 slugs / keg
They're not just selling Ubuntu. They're selling Ubuntu with support. The support is what people are paying for.
Maybe this is a level, but from all indications this is standard Ubuntu with standard support (i.e. go look it up on the forums).
If you have a slow connection or you don't have a burner, you can get a pretty looking CD from Canonical by mail. They don't even charge for shipping. https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
Who buys stuff they don't need?
A wise man once said: "It's amazing the things people would rather have than money."
=Smidge=
You just described RedHat's business model. RedHat has been a very successful distro for about a decade (although they've sunk a bit beneath the radar these last couple years), and all they sell is tech support. Works great for them, too.
Someone like... Canonical? http://www.canonical.com/services/support
They don't even have to include the source code in the box as long as they provide a way to download it from somewhere.
[alk]
But there's a page on Ubuntu's site where you can fill in a quick form and they'll send you as many copies as you like - for free.
+1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill
It's actually only 50 MB (damn small linux, that is). Just wanted to comment because it makes it even more incredible.
It is by my will alone my thoughts acquire motion; it is by the juice of the coffee bean that the thoughts acquire speed
I bought my first copy of redhat at best buy many years ago (I think 5.0?). I was still on a modem and I don't think I had a burner yet so for $50 I thought it was a great deal.
People say my sig is the best thing about me.
Ok, I'm not an MS basher, I use both Linux and Windows and have nice legal copy of Windows for all my computers at home - two XP Pro for me (laptop and desktop), and XP home for the wife and two kids... 5 total. I built all my computers and installed the OSs on them...
Ubuntu is NO harder, and easier in fact, to install on my laptop and desktop than Windows is. No drivers to install (they're all "magically" on the Ubuntu disc). Adding/removing programs is as easy as... selecting Add/Remove from the main menu, just like Windows.... only there's a whole lot more there.
So, I don't know where you've been, but Linux installation has come a long way.
Stupid sexy Flanders.
Then why would they have an entire site dedicated to it?
https://shipit.ubuntu.com/
Actually no. I just requested 10 Cd's for my LUG. you have to click on the "custom request" to request more of them and why you are requesting more than 1.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
I'm picking up the sarcasm, but for what it's worth, Ubuntu do provide & ship CDs for free...
Between the falling angel and the rising ape