Comments on: Best Buy Selling Ubuntu: Now, the Bad News

By: josh

josh — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:30:32 +0000

what do you think about install-fest?

By: On copyright and copying/sharing software… « Trausch’s Little Home

On copyright and copying/sharing software… « Trausch’s Little Home — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:01:26 +0000

[...] An article over at “Works With U” has an interesting thing that I have run into a few times before: And here’s another ironic twist: Consumers may actually prefer to pay for Ubuntu — rather than get it for free. No joke: Many consumers don’t like free software. They fear it. My brother in law didn’t understand how Ubuntu and OpenOffice could be free. “Is it legal to actually download and share that software?” he wondered. [...]

By: manny

manny — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:56:08 +0000

@carolinason

like i said before

the box clearly states that Windows and Mac Software does not run or compatible (see the pics:).

http://www.linuxloop.com/news/2008/07/08/pictures-and-details-of-ubuntu-in-best-buy/

By: carolinason

carolinason — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:09:35 +0000

Mr. Pink says, “the walmart failure mostly attributed to high rate of returns due to customers’ misunderstanding that linux is not compatible with windows.”

That’s because they bought a preloaded PC. This article is discussing buying a boxed version of Linux to be installed by the client. If the client buys this thing thinking it will run on Windows, then I’m sorry. I’m sure this will be attempted, but I doubt that is why it might fail. I would love to get some feedback from the buyer reviews, but it’s mainly Ubuntu users chiming in about how great Ubuntu is and not buyer reaction.

By: Chris Lees

Chris Lees — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:48:18 +0000

When I had a very limited (1 gigabyte download) broadband connection, I did look for Linux in retail stores, before discovering that Ubuntu sends out free CDs. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into.

Even if it doesn’t sell like hot cakes, it’s still putting the concept of Linux out to people who just see it on the shelf and wonder what it is. Even if they don’t buy it, it’s still helpful to Linux.

By: Roland

Roland — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:51:45 +0000

Not to be spamming the comments, but I remembered the other distro I saw at Best Buy. It was SuSE Linux, long before Novell got a hold of it. I think this was around the time of Red Hat 6… maybe? Memory’s a little fuzzy. In any case, it was 5+ years ago, I’d wager. Still, it’s nice to see a return of Linux in mainstream retail environments. I look forward to the continued progress.

By: Mr. Pink

Mr. Pink — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:59:52 +0000

So, what’s behind your name, The VAR Guy wonders?

Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs. But Pink Floyd rules, no argument there.

By: Roland

Roland — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:50:35 +0000

Best Buy has sold Linux in boxed form on its store shelves in the past. This isn’t new, though I suppose it’s still “news”. Red Hat was once found on Best Buy shelves, much the same for CompUSA as I recall. I think there may have been another distro out there, too, but I can’t recall which one.

Personally, I’m glad to see ANY Linux distro on store shelves, even if it may carry with it some risks. I’d like to see more than just Ubuntu (Mandriva, for example), but I suppose it’s better to start with just one so as to not cause too much confusion among the general consumer.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:12:37 +0000

@Mr. Pink: Curious to know the reasoning behind your name. The VAR Guy is a huge Pink Floyd fan (“Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?”) but he also remembers the Apple operating system project codenamed Pink.

So, what’s behind your name, The VAR Guy wonders?

By: manny

manny — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:08:47 +0000

@Sanders

and

@Mr. Pink

the box clearly states that Windows and Mac Software does not run.

OS X states the same when you go and purchase it. Also, it says that it will not run on old powerpc or Personal computers (PC) only on macs + they include support for the dumber 1st time mac users.

see the pictures for yourself of Ubuntu at the bestbuy shelfs (high resolution):

http://www.linuxloop.com/news/2008/07/08/pictures-and-details-of-ubuntu-in-best-buy/

you guys are clearly over exaggerating. Ubuntu is not the same as other distros, getting support is as easy or easier than mac. and our forums are just huge, there’s always someone available.

By: Mr. Pink

Mr. Pink — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:38:42 +0000

Client knowledge has come a long way, since 1995 and I trust most clients will know what the software will and won’t do.
In my experience it’s quiet the opposite. And the walmart failure mostly attributed to high rate of returns due to customers’ misunderstanding that linux is not compatible with windows.
-The pc was a bit slow, so it wasn’t the best linux experience.Isn’t that what linux community is proud about? The ability of linux to run comfortably on underpowered machines.
I think that failure to capture desktop market can be explained by poor quality of applications and their inclusion into distributions by maintainers.

By: P.Woods

P.Woods — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:21:35 +0000

Go to Tesco (Lotus) in Pattaya Thailand.
Their PC section has loads of Linux pre-loaded.
Unfortunately, all the implementations are cr*p.
I don’t know if the Thai distros are duff, or the PCs are underpowered (probable) or the install is hobbled.
The effect is to show Linux in a rubbish light.
Overall, probably better not to have pre-loads
that give Linux a bad reputation.