[TriLUG] different versions of 7.2 for sale]

[Matt Jezorek]

Recently at the Best Buy on 15-501 which i go into at least once a week and
for the past 4 or 5 months they have had one version of Linux and only one
box of it. All the rest of the shelf space for Linux was overrun by Windows
for Dummies Books.....

I have not been able to go to Best Buy and buy my new versions of Linux
----- Original Message -----
From: "al johson" <alfjon at mindspring.com>
To: <trilug at trilug.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 2:25 AM
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] different versions of 7.2 for sale]


> Well, the last time I was in Best Buy, I noted that both Mandrake and Red
> Hat were sold right next to the Microsoft crap. Moreover, in the recent
past
> there were Best Buy stickers placed on the Mandrake and Red Hat boxes
saying
> that if you bought your Linux software from Best Buy that they would
install
> it on your computer for you. Now I haven't checked recently on whether or
> not they still do this or not, but it's quite possible that they do.
> (although I wouldn't recommend you let them do it!!--Trilug would probably
> do a much better job!).
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Sinner from the Prairy <sinner_prairy at hotmail.com>
> To: <trilug at trilug.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 5:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [TriLUG] different versions of 7.2 for sale]
>
>
> >
> > >Yes but more and more are switching there servers to Linux while yes
this
> > >is
> > >a great sign, it still does not have the credibility to move into the
> > >desktop market as much.
> >
> > The only and true way to get to the desktop is the availability of
BestBuy
> > 2.0 GHz with Linus pre-installed. Then, Joe SixPack and Mary GrandMa
will
> > buy it.... and the desktop figures will go up.
> >
> > Also, if a Big Bad Corporate & Co. deploys Linux Terminal Server 'a la
> > Largo, FL , just because it makes so much sense to remote manage all
your
> > users from a centralized applications server, and provide them a
working,
> > secure desktop system (KDE and Gnome are more than capable of that),
then
> > the dektop figures will go up as well.
> >
> > But to get to this point we need:
> >
> > 1.- computer retail business to bet on Linux.
> > 2.- senior corporate managers understand world without gates or windows
> >
> > One very good article on corporate thinking and Linux is here:
> > http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2001/1018.tco.html
> >
> > On that URL they talk about using SUN Solaris. But Linux surely can be
up
> to
> > the job...some times on the servers, most of the times on the desktop.
> >
> > But senior management is *very* reluctant to change. It was hard enough
> for
> > them to understand that computers are better than zillions of paper
pages.
> > Now, with all those Windows, why switch again? "My son uses Windows at
> home
> > with no problem Microsoft is a huge corporation. How can they be wrong?"
> >
> > Then, the retail computer business.... with less business forecasted,
they
> > tend to cut lines and stay with "core" business. This way, as an
example,
> > Gateway has cut its lines of AMD-installed computers. And we expect them
> to
> > open a new line for Linux? The Desktop market is below 5%. It is
difficult
> > to support (they are Microsoft shops) . It doesn't need the latest
> ahrdware
> > to just boot (this is bad for bussiness), all those WinModems,
> WinPrinters,
> > WinUSBlancards.... WinUSBstuff just doesn't work. There's no Quicken for
> > Linux (yes, the Kapital, but it hasn't the work Quiken in big gold
letters
> > on the box), there's no silly games (no Virtual Barbie Camping Set),
and,
> > (oh no!) there's no BloatOffice product to charge $500 for!!! (yes,
> there's
> > StarOffice, pretty bloated, but is not MS-Office, is free and we just
> don't
> > get it).
> >
> > So, unless something happens (a big thing, like a real penalty for
> Microsoft
> > like forcing all the Government, local and federal to run only
> non-Microsoft
> > software, hardware and services for, say, 5 years at least, starting
> today),
> > Linux on the desktop will be a thing of:
> >
> > -SysAdmins
> > -embeded, Java... developers
> > -Geeks
> > -poor students in poor universities
> > -3l33t3 teens
> > -NBC's TechSurvivor contestants
> >
> > >Now maybe my language was to harsh about taking the desktop market by
> storm
> > >but I would like more desktops to be installed.
> >
> > Mee to. at least, my wife's (well, now is dual boot, but this is not
> > enough...) (and I plan to install Linux on my in-laws system  soon...)
> >
> > >If Linux is made more friendly toward the desktop and more hardware
> vendors
> > >would include it in the Operating System choices then more
pre-configured
> > >Linux machines will come out. For example my Dad is interested in Linux
> but
> > >is a new computer user. He is also thinks that if he can not go to
> CompUSA
> > >or Best Buy and purchase a system pre-installed with Linux then there
is
> no
> > >use to try it. He feels if he "pays for Microsoft licensing" then he
> should
> > >use it. (He is a stingy kinda guy)
> >
> > Try Lindows
> >
> > >Also it would be nice if more Workstations had Linux on them so that my
> > >employer would allow me to kill win2k on my workstation for Linux since
I
> > >am
> > >using no applications that I cant replace if I am using any other
> Operating
> > >System. Except for being forced to use outlook. But there are
> replacements
> > >for that.
> >
> > >Ohh well
> >
> > Exactly. Ohh well.
> >
> >
> > Salut,
> > Sinner
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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