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How Dell Is Making Ubuntu Linux More Attractive

Posted by timothy on from the gussyin'-n'-prettyin' dept.

CWmike writes "Dell was the first of the major computer manufacturers to support pre-installed Linux, but it's not just pre-installing Linux. The Austin, Tex. company is also adding functionality to Ubuntu Linux on its desktops and laptops, writes Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols. It began by adding DVD-playback to its systems shipping with Ubuntu 7.10. With the recent release of Dell PCs with Ubuntu 8.04, Dell is now including 'Fluendo GStreamer codecs for mp3, wma (Windows Media Audio), and wmv (Windows Media Video) playback' in its latest Ubuntu-powered desktops and laptops. On Ubuntu systems with ATI or NIVDIA graphics, Dell also now supports HDMI output. Yesterday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said his company hopes to steal a page from Apple's playbook and change how it works with hardware makers in an attempt to duplicate its rival's success. Is OS customization the way forward for desktop Linux, and Windows?"

2 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Restore discs? by The+Ancients · · Score: 0, Troll

    Do these come with restore discs? (I'm presuming being Dell they will.

    Otherwise I can imagine the call from Great Aunt Mildred when she tries to work out how to reinstall:

    I knew these computer thingies were new fangled, but mine wants to MAKE out with me, sonny!

    --
    The Mothership
  2. I've fallen down and I can't get up by westlake · · Score: 0, Troll
    The geek trots out stereotypes of his own.
    .

    1. It presupposes that most/all elderly are stupid

    It is not stupid to admit that you are old.

    That the days when you thought nothing of cracking open a 50 lb case to reset a video card are gone forever. That fighting the good fight for Linux doesn't matter to you any more.

    2. It's easier to install the major Linux distributions than it is to install Windows of any flavor.

    The OEM system install is the gold standard in the home and SOHO market. Service under warranty. In-home service. The-no-questions-asked return.

    Chances are your DIY Linux install will be successful. If it isn't you are in deep shit.

    That is how the game is played.

    Most, if not all, Linux trojans need some sort of user interaction to work. One needs to deliberately shoot one's self in the foot for them to work

    Which is simply another way of saying that infecting a Linux machine is more a matter of applied psychology, social engineering - as long as a user can be seduced into launching an executable the problem doesn't go away

    - for all the Geek's talk of "Active Yecchs."

    Microsoft to ratchet IE8 security another notch in Beta 2

    A. Windows users think it's normal to wipe and reinstall every quarter

    No they don't.

    I've used an XP restore disk perhaps five times in five years to open the Recovery Console and run CHKDSK. I haven't found a reason for reinstalling Windows other than replacing an aging hard drive.