In spite of all the debate about how difficult/simple it is to install software, I am very heartened to learn more about Dell's attitudes and actions.
From TFA "I also expect us to continue driving hardware vendors to provide Linux support, and to get that support submitted and accepted upstream as early as possible. Our (never ending) goal is to have every Linux distribution "just work" on all of our systems, and that will continue to be the primary focus of our Linux engineering teams here at Dell."
This represents an enormous change in the attitudes of retailers. If Dell can use their strong position on the manufacturing side to squeeze Linux drivers out of ATI (and I'm not saying they are alone in this), then OSS has gained a very strong ally.
For anyone who struggled as a novice to install earlier distros only to run into to the brick wall of software modem or video card incompatibility - i.e. lack of drivers, the difference that Dell brings to the desktop effort is a real sea change.
I doubt that I'll be buying a Dell laptop so I can use Ubuntu anytime soon. The fact that I might be able to buy a used/refurb Dell laptop in a couple of years who's hardware will have complete Linux support is just fantastic, IMO.
Ease of use and hardware compatibility have been major roadblocks to the spread of Linux among non-technical users (as in, the majority of us). Linux developers have refined the OS and software side until it is ready for prime time. If Dell, IBM and others convince hardware vendors that it's to their benefit to provide Linux support, then Linux will be able to compete on a level playing field. Can't ask for much more than that!
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In spite of all the debate about how difficult/simple it is to install software, I am very heartened to learn more about Dell's attitudes and actions.
From TFA "I also expect us to continue driving hardware vendors to provide Linux support, and to get that support submitted and accepted upstream as early as possible. Our (never ending) goal is to have every Linux distribution "just work" on all of our systems, and that will continue to be the primary focus of our Linux engineering teams here at Dell."
This represents an enormous change in the attitudes of retailers. If Dell can use their strong position on the manufacturing side to squeeze Linux drivers out of ATI (and I'm not saying they are alone in this), then OSS has gained a very strong ally.
For anyone who struggled as a novice to install earlier distros only to run into to the brick wall of software modem or video card incompatibility - i.e. lack of drivers, the difference that Dell brings to the desktop effort is a real sea change.
I doubt that I'll be buying a Dell laptop so I can use Ubuntu anytime soon. The fact that I might be able to buy a used/refurb Dell laptop in a couple of years who's hardware will have complete Linux support is just fantastic, IMO.
Ease of use and hardware compatibility have been major roadblocks to the spread of Linux among non-technical users (as in, the majority of us). Linux developers have refined the OS and software side until it is ready for prime time. If Dell, IBM and others convince hardware vendors that it's to their benefit to provide Linux support, then Linux will be able to compete on a level playing field. Can't ask for much more than that!