Just like stats.. you can make the numbers mean whatever you want if you spin them right..
1) Many companies that order DELL PowerEdge servers may already have a copy of the OS they want to install. For example, we used to use DELL servers and have a select/corporate Microsoft License agreement and purchase our licenses in bulk so we didn't want to (a) buy another copy or (b) have DELL do the install since we'd have to re-do it anyway. DELL is not allowed to sell a box with NO OS, so people buy the Linux box because it's cheaper.
2) as for the DELL customer request page.. that's a bunch of unscientific crap as well and if that's all DELL is using to decide what customers want they're more hosed than I thought they were. Seriously, all that ranking for "give me linux" means is that the site was floated around all the hot Linux chat rooms and all the passionate Linux geeks went and voted. There is no proof they're valid votes, or valid DELL customers, or anyone that's even old enough to buy a computer from DELL.
Linux has it's place, and is making some headway, but it's not ready for the corporate desktop yet..
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Just like stats.. you can make the numbers mean whatever you want if you spin them right.. 1) Many companies that order DELL PowerEdge servers may already have a copy of the OS they want to install. For example, we used to use DELL servers and have a select/corporate Microsoft License agreement and purchase our licenses in bulk so we didn't want to (a) buy another copy or (b) have DELL do the install since we'd have to re-do it anyway. DELL is not allowed to sell a box with NO OS, so people buy the Linux box because it's cheaper. 2) as for the DELL customer request page.. that's a bunch of unscientific crap as well and if that's all DELL is using to decide what customers want they're more hosed than I thought they were. Seriously, all that ranking for "give me linux" means is that the site was floated around all the hot Linux chat rooms and all the passionate Linux geeks went and voted. There is no proof they're valid votes, or valid DELL customers, or anyone that's even old enough to buy a computer from DELL. Linux has it's place, and is making some headway, but it's not ready for the corporate desktop yet..