The default install of Windows doesn't play DVDs without a DVD codec. There's no reason to believe this wouldn't happen for Linux too. Most Linux users use the free codec which works great, but may be illegal but Intervideo has a Linux version: http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/LinDVD.jsp. I don't see a reason not to make that available to computer manufacturers putting Linux on their machines.
I posted this story and it's not the headline I chose. Mine was "Dell to preinstall Linux on their machines?", and then I simply reported it as facts. The editing has changed the tone of what I posted anyway.
OOo may not be part of the standard install on Ubuntu for too much longer. It is a listed goal (https://blueprints.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ spec/kubuntu-koffice-by-default) to replace it by KOffice in Kubuntu and there have been discussions about using GNOME Office in the standard Ubuntu install. I don't know that OOo is the unstoppable force you're suggesting it is.
High prices could be a good thing. To average Joe, Windows is simply a part of the computer, and he doesn't think about it. But to the manufacturers, this will represent a place where they can cut prices. Not shipping Windows, and with OSs like Ubuntu becoming so good nowadays, there is a real alternative: even for average Joe. Dell gave a refund for an unused copy of Windows the other week and I think this is just that start of things to come.
I actually don't think much needs to be done to break the Microsoft monopoly. Unlike when the first Anti-trust law was going on, there is now a real choice of operating system. (It's so cliché but) next year could be the big year of Linux.
Today, I installed Ubuntu on my girlfriend's parents' machine, replacing their less than legit copy of Windows which doesn't let them update any more with a fully legit OS instead. I thought that it would be a good idea since all they do on the computer is write the occasional letter,browse the web and make MP3s out of their CDs to put on their MP3 players. Their Brother printer is also well supported and works perfectly under Linux. I reckon that as far as they're concerned, there is little to no difference between Windows and Linux. It has a mouse to click on the icons and the keyboard works. This is one side of the spectrum that can benefit from Ubuntu.
I, on the other hand, benefit from Ubuntu because I can use it to do all of the things I used my Windows machine to do (except playing games). I am comfortable learning new commands and learning a new way to install programs and I am comfortable with the idea that there can be more than one desktop active at the same time. But I wouldn't have been only a few years ago and would hate to have had someone force Ubuntu upon me. I decided to make the move when I was comfortable and no one could have forced me to do it any sooner.
In fact, before I was comfortable with Linux, I tried a few different distros: the main ones that interested me being Ubuntu and Fedora. It may be that Desktop Linux was just not mature enough for me to use as a newbie, but I was not willing to give it the time of day. I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth and it was a couple of years before I tried it again.
I am worried that if you install Ubuntu on all these people's computers, they will also be left with a bad taste in their mouths and, as you know, bad news travels faster than good. I reckon it's all well and good advertising Ubuntu (or any other OS), but you have to leave it to people to make the switch themselves.
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The default install of Windows doesn't play DVDs without a DVD codec. There's no reason to believe this wouldn't happen for Linux too. Most Linux users use the free codec which works great, but may be illegal but Intervideo has a Linux version: http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/LinDVD.jsp. I don't see a reason not to make that available to computer manufacturers putting Linux on their machines.
Sorry, that should be "Dell to Pre-install Linux on the Desktop (again)?"
I posted this story and it's not the headline I chose. Mine was "Dell to preinstall Linux on their machines?", and then I simply reported it as facts. The editing has changed the tone of what I posted anyway.
OOo may not be part of the standard install on Ubuntu for too much longer. It is a listed goal (https://blueprints.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+ spec/kubuntu-koffice-by-default) to replace it by KOffice in Kubuntu and there have been discussions about using GNOME Office in the standard Ubuntu install. I don't know that OOo is the unstoppable force you're suggesting it is.
High prices could be a good thing. To average Joe, Windows is simply a part of the computer, and he doesn't think about it. But to the manufacturers, this will represent a place where they can cut prices. Not shipping Windows, and with OSs like Ubuntu becoming so good nowadays, there is a real alternative: even for average Joe. Dell gave a refund for an unused copy of Windows the other week and I think this is just that start of things to come.
I actually don't think much needs to be done to break the Microsoft monopoly. Unlike when the first Anti-trust law was going on, there is now a real choice of operating system. (It's so cliché but) next year could be the big year of Linux.
But hey, we could always speed it up...
Today, I installed Ubuntu on my girlfriend's parents' machine, replacing their less than legit copy of Windows which doesn't let them update any more with a fully legit OS instead. I thought that it would be a good idea since all they do on the computer is write the occasional letter,browse the web and make MP3s out of their CDs to put on their MP3 players. Their Brother printer is also well supported and works perfectly under Linux. I reckon that as far as they're concerned, there is little to no difference between Windows and Linux. It has a mouse to click on the icons and the keyboard works. This is one side of the spectrum that can benefit from Ubuntu. I, on the other hand, benefit from Ubuntu because I can use it to do all of the things I used my Windows machine to do (except playing games). I am comfortable learning new commands and learning a new way to install programs and I am comfortable with the idea that there can be more than one desktop active at the same time. But I wouldn't have been only a few years ago and would hate to have had someone force Ubuntu upon me. I decided to make the move when I was comfortable and no one could have forced me to do it any sooner. In fact, before I was comfortable with Linux, I tried a few different distros: the main ones that interested me being Ubuntu and Fedora. It may be that Desktop Linux was just not mature enough for me to use as a newbie, but I was not willing to give it the time of day. I was left with a very bad taste in my mouth and it was a couple of years before I tried it again. I am worried that if you install Ubuntu on all these people's computers, they will also be left with a bad taste in their mouths and, as you know, bad news travels faster than good. I reckon it's all well and good advertising Ubuntu (or any other OS), but you have to leave it to people to make the switch themselves.