Dell + Linux + Control
-380
points posted to Linux, Desktops and Laptops by captainsensible
03/31/07
If Dell offers a consumer desktop/portable with Linux, it should be Linspire (previously Lindows) with absolutely no root access. Users could change some minor settings, and only install software from a list of Dell tested and approved sources to prevent users from "messing it up" like they do so well with Windows. This would be on the most basic machine, for your less technical user who still wants to get away from Micro$oft.
For the next level consumer, they could offer the same, but with development software, and some superuser privileges to allow more customization, and more software choices such as Apache/SSH/VNC/Samba, etc. And it would include a few service and support options from a third party Linux support company.
Finally, the third level. Still using Dell's preferred distribution, a complete open system for the Linux user who knows how not to "mess it up."
With Windows it's simple, they usually know what all the blue screens, what drivers work, what hardware is compatible, and how to tell you how to back up your data and reinstall when it all goes bad. But for Linux, just getting a DVD to play or copying some photos to CD for your average windows user using Linux for the first time could require some serious training.
But maybe, with the power of streaming video and broadband, there could be a community of users making videos of all the HOWTOs and guides out there to teach the world, and it would have to be free!
In Soviet Russia, your computer updates YOU!
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