bellhops ensues surprise veining …

Remember Dell has actually been offering Linux like this for about 10 years. All they’ve really done is add a new distro to the line up. They did take some positive steps in the process. Like offering LinDVD which isn’t a standard Ubuntu application.

But it’s still not consumer Linux implemented the way Dells customers voted for it on IdeaStorm. That isn’t stopping Dell lapping up the credit in the press though.

But let’s not bury Dell for having the guts to take some solid steps forward.

1. Web promotion: Anybody who goes to Google.com and searches “Dell Linux” will get paid/sponsored page links from Dell to easily search for systems.

2. Vista Alternatives: Doesn’t Dell deserve a some credit — at least a little??? — for introducing Ubuntu preloads THE VERY SAME YEAR that Vista shipped? Gutsy move.

Remember the world of Windows 95, when Dell and other PC vendors didn’t have the nerve to change a single desktop icon because of Microsoft’s power?

With all those thoughts in mind, The VAR Guy does agree with you that Dell could do a better job promoting the Ubuntu PCs. But ironically, the company wants Linux to be a “slow burn” on the desktop. Why? Not to kiss up to MSFT. Instead, Dell doesn’t want to support a bunch of Windows consumers who embraced Linux only to struggle with the new OS.

The VAR Guy doesn’t necessarily with Dell’s decision to keep Linux desktops somewhat hidden on Dell.com, but he understands the reasoning.

Nope none there! Where’s the link then? Oh it’s buried way out of sight in a pull down menu. At least it is on the UK page.

How many people are going to type in “http://www.dell.com/ubuntu”?

Dell could make Ubuntu systems easier to find. They could sell them on the main page along with everything else instead of forcing Ubuntu users to navigate the back corridors of Dells web site to conduct shady sneaky clandestine deals behind Microsofts back.

HP, Asus and Acer don’t seem to have a problem with openly selling Linux. But when pushed on the question on IdeaStorm Dell fumbles the answer with the good old Microsoftie excuse “supply and demand”.

Demand for Linux driven systems is was big enough for Microsoft to strike a new deal with Asus to make sure Windows XP gets more than it’s fair share of the market. How many Eees have Asus shifted now? I think demand is plenty big enough.

Perhaps the Var Guy should push Dell on the issue of Ubuntu still not being sold openly on Dell.com along with everything else. Dell does specialize in customizable orders. Surely they should at the very least be able to add it to the OS options for compatible systems? Which also happens to be one of the most requested ideas on IdeaStorm. The Var Guy should check it out.

It’s that simple to get started with Dell/Linux at a time when MSFT would love to pressure all PC makers to stick entirely with Windows.

Further more Dell have had Linux options for a long time. They basically killed their desktop option in the past. The recent Ubuntu offers are so hard to find for those not used to navigating the back corridors of Dell.com it’s little more than a token gesture.

Ubuntu is also only available on a handful of systems. Even though there are far more compatible systems in the Dell product range. I’m pretty sure Linux gamers (yes they do exist) would appreciate an XPS 720.

So reading between the lines Dell are every bit Microsofts bitch that they were before Vista.

- TVG

I wanted to stop by and say thanks for continuing to read our channel blog, and also to say that I appreciate your angle on the chatter that’s been occurring around this post. We work hard to evolve our content and, again, appreciate the support we’ve gotten so far. Our message that we’re listening has been met with a lot of skepticism, but we’ll continue to drive it home the only way that makes sense, by continuously evolving our program.

We still have many clients that have applications that just don’t run on Vista yet and also a number of clients that don’t buy into Vista because of the PC/Mac commercials. As an entrepreneur I need to deliver what my clients want as well.

Vista is a great product, I have been running it for quite sometime now and it does everything I need it to do.

Cheers

Stuart Crawford
IT Matters Inc.
Calgary, AB
http://www.itmatters.ca
http://www.stuartcrawford.com