SuSE gets Mainstream Sales Distribution

An anonymous reader wrote in to tell us about a new expanded distribution for the SuSE distribution- it will now appear in places like CompUSA, Fry's, Microcenter, Waldenbooks, Borders, and Best Buy. Always nice to see those shrink wrapped boxes up on the shelves.

Comments

Re:Linux at Micro-Center

[Anonymous Coward]

It's placed with the garbage software because it has about the same advertising budget as the garbage software. Shelf position is bought, not given.

Easy: ask a clerk where the Linux software is...

[Anonymous Coward]

... even if you know already perfectly well
where it is shelved. If the 100st person comes
and ask the same question, maybe they will wisen
up, and shelv it at a more prominent place.

SuSE/RedHat/OpenLinux

[Accipiter]

I work for one of the aforementioned computer stores, and I was THRILLED to see SuSE 6.1 on the shelf. While I'm not a Red Hat fan, it's nice to see it on the shelf alongside SuSE and Caldera OpenLinux 2.2. My retail manager says that Linux "isn't a big push", but I hope it kicks up soon. I'd like to set up an in-store Linux Demo machine.

-- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?

Re:Easy: ask a clerk where the Linux software is..

[timothy]

Easy: ask a clerk where the Linux software is...
by Anonymous Coward on 18/05/99 9:35 EDT

... even if you know already perfectly well where it is shelved. If the 100st person comes and ask the same question, maybe they will wisen up, and shelve it at a more prominent place.

Right on, Good call!

Many businesses seem to be managed by zombies, who don't care (much) what customers want, so long as the store generates enough custom to pay their bills. "Conservative" in the pejorative sense, rather than the positive sense. However, even smart / smarter managers don't know what you want unless asked.

In the past couple of years, I have grown increasingly bold about asking / suggesting / requesting products I'd like to see when visiting retail places (not just computer stuff), and it feels good because it puts the shoe on the other foot. Much better than whining that "They don't carry it!" even though I still do that occasionally too.

Same goes for on-line comments for any software house etc. Ask for Linux / other Free OS stuff, indicate your interest in seeing a good selection.

Ask, ask, ask! Since I not a coder, but I like the idea of free / Free software, this seems to be one thing that people like me can do. Join in!

If you make it a point each time you go into a software shop (esp. the giant national chains, where hopefully there is some central accounting) and asking for a specific piece of Linux or other Free OS software that you don't see on the shelf, filling out a request form if one is available, then soon the avalanche of software availability will grow stronger! Maybe also specifically thank the manager if you do find a piece of software you want, mention that you will refer some friends there.

Point is, the mindset that "Nobody uses / buys Free OS software" is circular ... you can't purchase it from shops that don't carry it, and unfortunately or not, the burden of proof is on the potential users / purchasers.

Tim