Dell, you can go to [LWN.net]

Dell, you can go to

Posted May 2, 2007 12:37 UTC (Wed) by grouch (subscriber, #27289)
In reply to: Dell, you can go to by JoeBuck
Parent article: Dude, you're getting Ubuntu (Linux.com)

[...] If a lot of people buy the Ubuntu machines, and they don't have support issues, they'll expand it.
[...]
And Ubuntu/Canonical is free to send deep links into Dell's site, if Dell doesn't make it easy to find.

When Dell previously made public noises about "offering Linux", they followed that by making it so that a person had to know about the existence of such machines, be willing to search the Dell website for those machines, and be willing to repeatedly over-ride the default choice of MS Windows on the Dell website forms to be able to actually order such a machine. Dell effectively hid "Linux" from propective buyers and discouraged purchasing any computer without MS Windows.

The use of "deep links" from outside Dell's site are only effective if the potential customer is already aware of the outside site and already interested in purchasing. Those links will not engage potential customers who simply know that Dell is a place from which to buy a computer. Those links will not take advantage of Dell's name recognition, only the outside site's name recognition. In the specific case you mention, Ubuntu's name recognition will be leveraged. The name Ubuntu is not generally associated with PC sales.

I would like to be forced to 'eat crow' regarding my criticisms of Dell. However, my disdain and distrust will remain until I see Ubuntu, GNU/Linux or Linux as prominently displayed and as easily obtained from Dell as MS Windows (any version). Until then, there are other places to buy computers with pre-installed GNU/Linux.

(Log in to post comments)

Dell and Linux

Posted May 2, 2007 15:24 UTC (Wed) by gdt (subscriber, #6284) [Link]

It would be useful to be more specific. Dell currently sells a lot of Linux computers, as you would expect since Linux servers are 12% of the entire server/mini/mainframe market by revenue.

Also, Dell have for years tested their OptiPlex range against Linux and supported corporate customers putting RHEL on the factory installed disk image for those computers. That is, supported the use of Linux as a "terminal replacement" by banks and for other customer service points.

It sounds like you are talking about the Dell "N series" desktops. They were released accompanied by a FreeDOS disk with the expectation that enthusiasts would purchase the machines and install Linux themselves. This failed. Dell's brand had become mud with enthusiasts. Sales for non-enthusiasts were killed by the need to install the operating system and Microsoft's FUD campaign against "Naked PCs". The marketing was poor because Dell were still in a position to be heavied by Microsoft. There were never sales generated by the launch publicity to justify more marketing -- if you have a look on the website today you can see that Dell are still trying to run out the initial N series inventory.

Despite the risk and disappointment with the N series, Dell are trying desktop/laptop Linux again. I think that shows a commitment by Dell towards desktop Linux. Although I regret their failure with the "N series", unlike you I don't distain them for it. Rather I hope they've found the right approach and have better timing with this attempt.

Using Ubuntu was a good idea, since it counteracts the deadweight of the Dell brand amoung enthusiasts. Much better than offering Centos or Fedora in some attempt to leverage Dell's experience with supporting RHEL on servers.

Dell can go to hell

Posted May 2, 2007 23:43 UTC (Wed) by grouch (subscriber, #27289) [Link]

Dell currently sells a lot of Linux computers, as you would expect since Linux servers are 12% of the entire server/mini/mainframe market by revenue.

Who said anything about "servers"?

Dell was not a passive victim of the monopoly; they actively participated in both building the power of that monopoly and in making themselves dependent upon it. No doubt they were drooling over all that hardware that would need to be upgraded for MS Vista. Too bad that customers figured out MS Vista is poison. Too bad Dell is still parasitically dependent upon renting the monopoly's wares.