Considering the size of Hard drives these days, why not go with something similar to the Dell Utility Partition. When you first turn on the computer, it would boot to a ~5g partition with a graphical interface where you can click to install Windows, boot to Ubuntu Live, OSX, or Advanced options. Windows could have a buy a license or enter your product key. Ubuntu would boot to the Live Desktop just like off the live CD. OSX would do whatever that does. In advanced options list compatible operating systems for the current hardware, BSD menu, Solaris menu, etc. All Advanced User operating systems would be the various net installers, and maybe expert for Linux from Scratch. The computer would come with a DVD with a backup of the installer preloaded on the computer. In regard to some earlier comments, multiple disks won't work. You wouldn't believe how many people I had to carefully explain why Windows needed to be installed before MS Office. Their repeated argument was they just needed Office and not the windows. It is a sad fact. I actually hope to have a proof of concept application within the next week or so for demonstration. I unfortnately have to agree that it needs to be easier to get the computer running than putting in a DVD. there needs to be a way for it to work just plugging it in after they get someone to show them where the on button is.
I have had just about the opposite experience, but I also did some research before building my own computer... mostly just buying trusted names in hardware, and never buying junk from some never heard of company with one product with no specifications or a web site. Mind you I acquired this hardwire all about the time it came out, but the features for my Asus K8V deluxe motherboard hardly worked under windows, worst of which was no support for my gigabit network card even under windows XP SP2. It also doesn't recognize either of the raids I had setup. This was a gaming machine, so I had to work around it, Never getting access to about 1 terabyte of storage. It also randomly crashed for no apparent reason (I have learned a lot more since about diagnosing bad RAM). Ubuntu 6.04 worked right "out of the box". It automatically found drivers that worked right on the CD (most all features under windows didn't work on default settings / drivers) for sound, video, ATA and SATA raids, and network card. The first time I tried Ubuntu I was up and running in about an hour after tweaking a few things just the way I liked it. I like to be rough on my machines. I had to wipe everything every few months for one reason or another and took a full weekend, and a lot of swearing... which is why after awhile I just stopped playing with the system, and just played games. I eventually made my own slip-streamed install specifically for my machine with all the crap taken out (like MSN Messenger) which meant I could get to a working clean install in an afternoon. By the time Ubuntu 7.04 came out, there was too much more interesting stuff to learn and play with that I even bother with traditional 'games'.
I am more aggressive than ever tweaking away just to see what happens, and only having used it for just over a year, It has been many moths since I could do much of anything that would 1) hardlock the system 2) crash in such a way I couldn't repair quickly. The only time I reboot is every few kernel patches, or shutdown to save power.
I'll never go back... and having to wait till gaming experience is similar between Windows and Linux... No bother, just looking forward to it.
I consider my time valuable, and Windows is just too expensive for my needs.
"Why is it that airports have special significance?"
Because one beautiful autumn morning September 11, 2001 the government received the greatest opportunity they could ever wish for to justify themselves and their bloated budget. I don't believe in the conspiracy that our government was involved, but I understand. Look how much money has been justified for "homeland security". Airports are special because the government and the natural stupidity of the average (particularly fearful) person was able to justify it. It never matters how much money is spent on something, the more money that gets filtered through government bureaucracy, the more power the government has.
It is the same reason "marijuana" will never be legalized, think of all those poor corrections officers: Not only would 75% of them get laid off, the rest would be left guarding actual criminals! We could never be so crewel. The police, the DEA, the entire department of justice would loose billions of dollars!
How can you really be so worried about bullshit laws that criminalize innocent civilians (some with neat shirts), we're talking about peoples jobs here!
Even through the 60's, it was no issue to carry shotguns or riffles on an airplane, as long as you kept them unloaded. It was absolute common sense, you're not going to let some luggage monkey handle your valuable weapons. That's crazy!
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The government says smoking pot and driving a 'gas guzzling' SUV funds terrorism.
I think we should trust the government on this one. Its definitely funding.
Considering the size of Hard drives these days, why not go with something similar to the Dell Utility Partition. When you first turn on the computer, it would boot to a ~5g partition with a graphical interface where you can click to install Windows, boot to Ubuntu Live, OSX, or Advanced options. Windows could have a buy a license or enter your product key. Ubuntu would boot to the Live Desktop just like off the live CD. OSX would do whatever that does. In advanced options list compatible operating systems for the current hardware, BSD menu, Solaris menu, etc. All Advanced User operating systems would be the various net installers, and maybe expert for Linux from Scratch. The computer would come with a DVD with a backup of the installer preloaded on the computer. In regard to some earlier comments, multiple disks won't work. You wouldn't believe how many people I had to carefully explain why Windows needed to be installed before MS Office. Their repeated argument was they just needed Office and not the windows. It is a sad fact. I actually hope to have a proof of concept application within the next week or so for demonstration. I unfortnately have to agree that it needs to be easier to get the computer running than putting in a DVD. there needs to be a way for it to work just plugging it in after they get someone to show them where the on button is.
I have had just about the opposite experience, but I also did some research before building my own computer... mostly just buying trusted names in hardware, and never buying junk from some never heard of company with one product with no specifications or a web site. Mind you I acquired this hardwire all about the time it came out, but the features for my Asus K8V deluxe motherboard hardly worked under windows, worst of which was no support for my gigabit network card even under windows XP SP2. It also doesn't recognize either of the raids I had setup. This was a gaming machine, so I had to work around it, Never getting access to about 1 terabyte of storage. It also randomly crashed for no apparent reason (I have learned a lot more since about diagnosing bad RAM). Ubuntu 6.04 worked right "out of the box". It automatically found drivers that worked right on the CD (most all features under windows didn't work on default settings / drivers) for sound, video, ATA and SATA raids, and network card. The first time I tried Ubuntu I was up and running in about an hour after tweaking a few things just the way I liked it. I like to be rough on my machines. I had to wipe everything every few months for one reason or another and took a full weekend, and a lot of swearing... which is why after awhile I just stopped playing with the system, and just played games. I eventually made my own slip-streamed install specifically for my machine with all the crap taken out (like MSN Messenger) which meant I could get to a working clean install in an afternoon. By the time Ubuntu 7.04 came out, there was too much more interesting stuff to learn and play with that I even bother with traditional 'games'. I am more aggressive than ever tweaking away just to see what happens, and only having used it for just over a year, It has been many moths since I could do much of anything that would 1) hardlock the system 2) crash in such a way I couldn't repair quickly. The only time I reboot is every few kernel patches, or shutdown to save power. I'll never go back... and having to wait till gaming experience is similar between Windows and Linux... No bother, just looking forward to it. I consider my time valuable, and Windows is just too expensive for my needs.
Did they really just say "Two legs good, three legs better"?
Not again...
I for one welcome our new three legged robotic overlords.
"Why is it that airports have special significance?"
Because one beautiful autumn morning September 11, 2001 the government received the greatest opportunity they could ever wish for to justify themselves and their bloated budget. I don't believe in the conspiracy that our government was involved, but I understand. Look how much money has been justified for "homeland security". Airports are special because the government and the natural stupidity of the average (particularly fearful) person was able to justify it. It never matters how much money is spent on something, the more money that gets filtered through government bureaucracy, the more power the government has.
It is the same reason "marijuana" will never be legalized, think of all those poor corrections officers: Not only would 75% of them get laid off, the rest would be left guarding actual criminals! We could never be so crewel. The police, the DEA, the entire department of justice would loose billions of dollars!
How can you really be so worried about bullshit laws that criminalize innocent civilians (some with neat shirts), we're talking about peoples jobs here!
Even through the 60's, it was no issue to carry shotguns or riffles on an airplane, as long as you kept them unloaded. It was absolute common sense, you're not going to let some luggage monkey handle your valuable weapons. That's crazy!