Linux-PC's and pirated Windows [LWN.net]

From:		"Kapil Hari Paranjape" <kapil-AT-imsc.res.in>
To:		media-AT-osia.net.au, lwn-AT-lwn.net
Subject:		Linux-PC's and pirated Windows
Date:		Fri, 15 Oct 2004 09:24:06 +0530

Hello,

Unfortunately, if you examine the sale of "Linux-pre-installed" PC's in
India some of what has been said *is* true. The following is based on
first-hand experience.

1. The shop-owner (not the manufacturer/vendor) will say "don't worry my
`engineer' will install *all* the software for you". This usually means a
lot of un-licensed software including Windows.

2. The reason why the manufacturers pre-install GNU/Linux (rather than
install nothing) is to satisfy the "minimum requirement". A large
institute once got a notice from Microsoft/BSA---"We notice you have
bought a large number of PC's but only a handful of Windows licences.
etc." So the installation of GNU/Linux is a "cover".

3. The pre-installed GNU/Linux is so shabbily installed that it is a
wonder the poor thing boots at all! It is clear that even the
manufacturers expect that this installation will be replaced by
something better---a proper GNU/Linux installation if the user is
willing---or an un-licensed Windows plus stuff.

4. The support from even the big companies like Acer and Dell for their
GNU/Linux installation is negligible in comparison to their support for
Windows. The shop-owner's knowledge of GNU/Linux is usually next to
nothing. Often the PC has hardware for which there are currently *no*
drivers available in Linux.

All these points---especially 3 and 4---are reasons why pre-installed
GNU/Linux systems may not really be a great boon. They may actually end
up deterring users from trying GNU out because of crippled installations.
(Looked at this way it even looks like a pro-Microsoft ploy:).)

However, you have correctly pointed out that Gartner is jumping the gun
in claiming that "pre-installated Linux is *responsible* for Piracy".
The un-licensed copying is happening anyway. "pre-installation of Linux"
is just one more tool for people to share proprietary software in a
manner not permitted by law. In fact, as you point out the installation
of Windows is itself a tool for people to do more of the same.

Thanks and regards,

Kapil H. Paranjape.

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Linux-PC's and pirated Windows

Posted Oct 21, 2004 2:54 UTC (Thu) by dlang (✭ supporter ✭, #313) [Link]

this would be valid if the linux PC's were actually any cheaper then the ones loaded with windows. unfortunantly this is almost never the case (the excpetion being where you build the machine from components)

look at the pricing of any of the major vendors machines with windows and with linux.

Linux-PC's and pirated Windows

Posted Oct 21, 2004 23:17 UTC (Thu) by khim (subscriber, #9252) [Link]

"The people in US doesn't know what 'the rest of the world' meant" (c) NotMe

While it can be true that in US PC's with Linux preloaded are not cheaper then PC's with Windows but in other places situation is very different. For example here in Russia typical price is "cost of components selected from price-list plus 5% for assembly and $60 (sometimes $40 or even $30) if you want OEM version of Windows preinstalled". Here cost of OEM version of Windows is not buried deep in cost of PC - you are actually have separate line in price-list! And in such situation Linux is indeed cheaper (but of course you'll get system with some old, unsupported version if Linux without appropriate drivers installed: "what do you ask us about? it's free! if you need drivers - buy Windows!")

Linux-PC's and pirated Windows

Posted Oct 23, 2004 21:03 UTC (Sat) by massimiliano (subscriber, #3048) [Link]

"what do you ask us about? it's free! if you need drivers - buy Windows!")

Which, even if sadly, sounds reasonable, since the customer is not purchasing support for that Linux installation (or on Linux in general).

By the way, here in Italy it is fairly easy to buy PCs without a Windows license, but generally not from mainstream brands. For instance, the notebook I'm using now has been purchased without Windows, and it has been easy doing so (select "No OS preinstalled" from a combo box).

Linux-PC's and pirated Windows

Posted Oct 28, 2004 9:24 UTC (Thu) by job (guest, #670) [Link]

Is it the same with laptops? Here in Stockholm we have some small
basement whitebox computer shops were there is no problem buying one
without software. However, all laptops are sold with Windows OEM deals.
Even ASUS and "no-name" brands. Before everyone says "HP", I've tried to
buy that one but it's not available here.