Comments on: Installfest: Untangle, Ubuntu Linux Save 750 PCs From Landfills

By: Dean-O

Dean-O — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:00:27 +0000

Hi How can I help? I have a connection to “old” hardware that I have tried to save from the landfills. Is there a way I can be officially apart of this movement/organization to show places that are pitching old hardware that I have a legit purpose in mind here? Thanks in advance for your time

Dean-O

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:38:34 +0000

Hmmm. Comparing Microsoft (Windows) to an SUV is rather interesting, Jerry. Both are heavy and require lots of horsepower for a decent user experience.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:28:03 +0000

Windows is fine for what it is, but there are so many more alternatives and ways to get computers into students’ hands. Just as there are a handful of drivers who actually need an SUV, there are some instances where going the Microsoft route may make sense. But it doesn’t make sense to assume that every school computer needs to be the latest whiz-bang Vista box, just as it doesn’t make sense to use an SUV to drive down the street to the mall. Installfest and other programs like it just makes sense.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:15:12 +0000

Michael: The VAR Guy didn’t realize the Starter edition was soo darn limited. Thanks for noting the key barriers it includes.

By: michael graaf

michael graaf — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:33:01 +0000

Microsoft does give, or sell very cheaply, the Starter edition of their OS, to educational institutions in “developing” countries, but it is a self-serving tactic prompted by the appearance of real competition from linux distros.

The Starter edition is classical crippleware, just useful enough to hook new users to the MS brand, and tempt them to acquire the real thing. It only recognises 256 Mb of RAM, no matter how much the machine has, and can only open 3 windows at a time.

By: The VAR Guy

The VAR Guy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:30:28 +0000

Jonabyte: Thanks for your thoughts. The VAR Guy tries not to get too down on Microsoft. Remember: They freed us from expensive RISC/Unix systems. But now, it’s great to see true customer choice across all computing devices — and perhaps Linux can truly assist the digital inclusion effort.

By: jonabyte

jonabyte — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:19:51 +0000

Its nice to see that there are alternatives to upgrading ones computer to Windows Vista. You can upgrade to Linux instead and not have to buy a new computer.