Dell picks Ubuntu for Linux PCs
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 by Philly0381 | Discussion: Personal Computing
This is not the first time Dell has tried offering Linux OS on PCs to customers as the linked article points out. Is there any reason to believe Dell will have any sucess this time around? 
Okay lets see a show of hands, given a choice, if you where buying a new computer for any purpose, would you choose first a Dell, and then one with Linux OS installed over any other computer (includeing home built) and MS?
What little I know about Linux I read here. From what I understand there are different versions, is Dell installing the right version?
WWW Link
The other thing that I have pick up reading the forums ia that there are strong opinions about OSs. Give your pros and cons but try to make it more than "just because'.
EDIT Since there haven't been any replies yet include in the discussion the Apple/Mac platform. This should be a lot of fun!!
Okay lets see a show of hands, given a choice, if you where buying a new computer for any purpose, would you choose first a Dell, and then one with Linux OS installed over any other computer (includeing home built) and MS?
What little I know about Linux I read here. From what I understand there are different versions, is Dell installing the right version?
WWW Link
The other thing that I have pick up reading the forums ia that there are strong opinions about OSs. Give your pros and cons but try to make it more than "just because'.
EDIT Since there haven't been any replies yet include in the discussion the Apple/Mac platform. This should be a lot of fun!!
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Philly0381
Reply #22 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:21 PM
Reply #22 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:21 PM
Zubaz - This may not be a fair question or comparision but to your knowledge can you boot any version of Windows from a CD or DVD?
Looking back at the replies it appears that only Jafo was nice enough to post a "no thank you" comment. Only MasonM posted some "pros". Other than the price, free, is that a good enough reason to get Linux?
Let's try to keep the thread going atleast alittle longer Okay?
Looking back at the replies it appears that only Jafo was nice enough to post a "no thank you" comment. Only MasonM posted some "pros". Other than the price, free, is that a good enough reason to get Linux?
Let's try to keep the thread going atleast alittle longer Okay?
Jafo
Reply #23 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:24 PM
Reply #23 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:24 PM
This may not be a fair question or comparision but to your knowledge can you boot any version of Windows from a CD or DVD?
You can boot XP from a flash drive...if the bios supports it..
Philly0381
Reply #24 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:37 PM
Reply #24 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:37 PM
Jafo - Thanks for the answer.
Now that I think about it it's more like comparing apples and oranges. In order to get XP on the flash drive it would have to be yours, MS/Windows program validation would get in the way. Not the same thing if you just want to see if Linux will work with you system. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Now that I think about it it's more like comparing apples and oranges. In order to get XP on the flash drive it would have to be yours, MS/Windows program validation would get in the way. Not the same thing if you just want to see if Linux will work with you system. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Jafo
Reply #25 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:45 PM
Reply #25 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:45 PM
Installing XP onto a flash drive can be done...though it will conflict with the MS EULA...so the issue is whether the question is 'can it?' vs 'is it legal?'.
'Owning' the XP/MS Licence does not entitle a person to install to any media of their choice, so in that regard Linux is 'better'.
Conversely, having Linux accessible on a bootable CD/DVD means it's so much easier to revert to an OS that actually has practical use ....
Jafo hides from the 'Nixers in their propeller hats...
Philly0381
Reply #26 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 12:02 AM
Reply #26 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 12:02 AM
Jafo - Thanks for replying. Your helping me understand some of this stuff. I do want to be carefull, don't want to learn so much that it start leaking out my ears!!
It doesn't look like we will get too many more responses on this thread tonight. Maybe some more will add their two cents tomorrow.
I used to have one of those propeller hats growing up!!!!
It doesn't look like we will get too many more responses on this thread tonight. Maybe some more will add their two cents tomorrow.
I used to have one of those propeller hats growing up!!!!
aufisch
Reply #27 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 12:05 AM
Reply #27 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 12:05 AM
I love Ubuntu and I wouldn't mind buying a computer preloaded with this OS.
The improvements in usability and simplicity that Ubuntu when through over the last couple of years are just absolutely surprising.
The only external driver I had to get in order to make Ubuntu work on my new system was the Nvidia-Graphics driver, and even that one I was able to get through Synaptic.
I think with Linux mastering one of the biggest turn offs in the past (the decompiling of software before it can be installed) it is ready to become a bit more Mainstream.
I wouldn't buy a Dell though.....
The improvements in usability and simplicity that Ubuntu when through over the last couple of years are just absolutely surprising.
The only external driver I had to get in order to make Ubuntu work on my new system was the Nvidia-Graphics driver, and even that one I was able to get through Synaptic.
I think with Linux mastering one of the biggest turn offs in the past (the decompiling of software before it can be installed) it is ready to become a bit more Mainstream.
I wouldn't buy a Dell though.....
Philly0381
Reply #28 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:51 AM
Reply #28 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:51 AM
aufisch - Thanks for your reply.
I think you would agree that you expect software would load and run on a new system.
The key work bing new!!!
With you only having to go after a graphics driver says that Linux is ready for mainstream, as you also pinted out.
As for Dell computers, well like anything in the market place you can find people that wouldn't touch them and people that have no porlblems at all.
I think you would agree that you expect software would load and run on a new system.
The key work bing new!!!
With you only having to go after a graphics driver says that Linux is ready for mainstream, as you also pinted out.
As for Dell computers, well like anything in the market place you can find people that wouldn't touch them and people that have no porlblems at all.
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #29 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:44 PM
Reply #29 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:44 PM
Of the CHEAP big box manufacturers, I like Dell best (ok, so I'd like an Alienware, but who wouldn't...lol!). But I like this shift to Linux for one reason: better driver support.
With Dells shipping with Linux and all of the work HP has done with open source, smaller market competitors are going to have to follow suit or fall further and further behind in an already crowded market.
With Dells shipping with Linux and all of the work HP has done with open source, smaller market competitors are going to have to follow suit or fall further and further behind in an already crowded market.
XX
Reply #30 Thursday, May 3, 2007 3:23 AM
Reply #30 Thursday, May 3, 2007 3:23 AM
Gideon, that is exactly what I hope. It could mean easier and better driver support. Even though my 2 pre-N wifi cards is a couple of years old, both of them is still unsupported by Linux.
I know why that is the case, but it still sucks.
I know why that is the case, but it still sucks.
whatwhere
Reply #31 Saturday, May 5, 2007 2:41 PM
Reply #31 Saturday, May 5, 2007 2:41 PM
YAY I FINALLY GOT IT INSTALLED YAY!!i took the HDD out of my POS HP and installed the HDD in my 64 bit system....it installed with no problems YAY!!!! i'll say this much, for a person who never ran linux before...it does have a nice easy to use GUI although it needs to be ALOT more like a .exe installer, a more customizable GUI, and more...themes but other then that it kick ass pretty good!
Philly0381
Reply #32 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:07 PM
Reply #32 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:07 PM
whatwhere - Appreciate that you came back to let us know how you made out.
If you could, would you explain for the novice why you had to swap out the HDD.
I take you were able to go on line and get the driver for you vid card that you identified as a problem?
As I mentioned early in the thread I'm a Windows XP Home user, but could get interested in any OS that is able to be a creditable alternative to MS.
If you could, would you explain for the novice why you had to swap out the HDD.
I take you were able to go on line and get the driver for you vid card that you identified as a problem?
As I mentioned early in the thread I'm a Windows XP Home user, but could get interested in any OS that is able to be a creditable alternative to MS.
MasonM
Reply #33 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:22 PM
YAY I FINALLY GOT IT INSTALLED YAY!!i took the HDD out of my POS HP and installed the HDD in my 64 bit system....it installed with no problems YAY!!!! i'll say this much, for a person who never ran linux before...it does have a nice easy to use GUI although it needs to be ALOT more like a .exe installer, a more customizable GUI, and more...themes but other then that it kick ass pretty good!
I'm glad you have it installed and can check it out, but your comments are a perfect example of why Windows users have so much trouble with Linux. While it's an entirely different OS Windows users go into it wanting and expecting it to be "just like Windows". This is why I say that someone who has little or no experience with any OS has a far easier time learning to use Linux than one who has used Windows for several years. Linux isn't Windows, isn't like Windows, and doesn't want to be.
I can easily get a Linux OS installed, configured, and running on almost any machine in less than half the time someone can install Windows and have it running (including all hardware) on the same machine. That's because I have used Linux for many years and understand it. I would have a lot of trouble dealing with some arcane Windows registry problem though, because I am not a Windows expert like Jafo (who really knows his Windows stuff).
Go into it with an open mind and prepared to learn. You had to learn Windows too. You can do anything on a Linux system that you could do on a Windows system, and then some. You just have to learn the system and how it works.
And no, I don't own a propeller hat, but wouldn't mind having one (as long as it runs Linux).
Reply #33 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:22 PM
YAY I FINALLY GOT IT INSTALLED YAY!!i took the HDD out of my POS HP and installed the HDD in my 64 bit system....it installed with no problems YAY!!!! i'll say this much, for a person who never ran linux before...it does have a nice easy to use GUI although it needs to be ALOT more like a .exe installer, a more customizable GUI, and more...themes but other then that it kick ass pretty good!
I'm glad you have it installed and can check it out, but your comments are a perfect example of why Windows users have so much trouble with Linux. While it's an entirely different OS Windows users go into it wanting and expecting it to be "just like Windows". This is why I say that someone who has little or no experience with any OS has a far easier time learning to use Linux than one who has used Windows for several years. Linux isn't Windows, isn't like Windows, and doesn't want to be.
I can easily get a Linux OS installed, configured, and running on almost any machine in less than half the time someone can install Windows and have it running (including all hardware) on the same machine. That's because I have used Linux for many years and understand it. I would have a lot of trouble dealing with some arcane Windows registry problem though, because I am not a Windows expert like Jafo (who really knows his Windows stuff).
Go into it with an open mind and prepared to learn. You had to learn Windows too. You can do anything on a Linux system that you could do on a Windows system, and then some. You just have to learn the system and how it works.
And no, I don't own a propeller hat, but wouldn't mind having one (as long as it runs Linux).
Gideon MacLeish
Reply #34 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:27 PM
Reply #34 Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:27 PM
Mason,
I'm actually going to try to self study for a Linux+ cert so I can teach a continuing ed course on basic linux at the local community college. I agree that someone with no experience would find it easier than windows because it is more logical.
I'm actually going to try to self study for a Linux+ cert so I can teach a continuing ed course on basic linux at the local community college. I agree that someone with no experience would find it easier than windows because it is more logical.
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Reply #21 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 9:02 PM