Wal-Mart and Mandrake-Linux

I want to apologize in advance if this has been posted before...

Well, you all heard of Lindows pre-installed on Wal-Mart PC's. Now, Mandrake-Linux is doing the same thing. Here's the story: Mandrake Linux News

Now, we are talking... now the mainstream consumer can have a choice of OS's. I am really excited to see open source OS's being available, but is *NIX ready for the mainstream, especially the layman?

Also, since there are more than one distribution available for purchase, will others follow like RedHat, Debian or even more advanced OS's like FreeBSD?

Lastly, with the over-abundance of Windows users, is there a chance the big idea could falter with the "Avoid open source like the plague" banner?

I'll be holding onto my cash untill I see them selling computers with SuSE onboard. I don't think that too many average computer users are going to be concerned about open source, they just want to be protected from viri and other internet nasties, so they will probably like the idea of a OS that is pretty resilient to viri.

I think this is good news. Yes, some of your concerns are well founded. Some mainstream users will find it more difficult to use Linux than Windows. However, Linux has progressed to the point where it is quite useable without too much guru tweaking. Working inside the GUI there are some frustrating gotchas awaiting those new to the *nix system. However, as long as user groups maintain high profile and helpful attitudes an influx of new users can only help the community as a whole.

This may also send a message to Redmond that they need to get their act in gear more. Their trend toward rented software is driving many people to consider alternatives when poor releases and questionable business practices did not.

The one big negative I see that could come out of this is a reverse publicity if WalMart starts getting a high percentage of returns and pulls the line as not marketable. Then Windows will have a true media coup on their hands.

Topic already mentioned yesterday: http://www.antionline.com/showthread...hlight=lindows

I also wanted to point out this quote:

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Originally posted http://www.antionline.com/showthread...threadid=86848 by souleman
umm, ok, not sure why I even looked at this, but I wanted to point out one thing to everyone here who loves to cut and paste.....

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AntiOnline has paid royalties to this article's originator, and/or is reproducing it here with their written consent.

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Cutting and pasting an entire copywritten article is illegal without the proper consent. Sometimes, even a portion of the article is illegal. It is better to give a brief overview and a link for eveyone to check if they are interested.

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Thanks for the post, I had not heard about this. It will be interesting to see if this takes off or not. Personally, I think the biggest market for these will be households that already have at least 1 system, and a Linux enthusiast/curious person within. I don't think too many people are going to switch over just because they might be fed up with Windows, especially the light/novice users. Then again I could be wrong................not the first time, heh. What do you guys think?

p.s.
Linux Lubber here... 8o)

Joey_Batch_File, thanks for the heads up for the article already being out there.

Also, I'll edit the thing to just have the link, so others will not go into such an uproar about it. As others know in here, I respect copyrights and I will remember the rule next time.

Please forgive the mistake.

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Originally posted here by Joey_Batch_File
Topic already mentioned yesterday: http://www.antionline.com/showthread...hlight=lindows

I also wanted to point out this quote:

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joe

you don't have to memorize the whole AO website. WOW...

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you don't have to memorize the whole AO website.

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Well, in Joey's defense, redundant posts can be a real pain... it was my mistake for not searching the forums first.

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Originally posted here by alittlebitnumb
Well, in Joey's defense

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I wasn't saying it was a bad post. I was just suprised on how he presented the information to you. You know, I would have been real grateful if someone put the facts like that in front of me prior to some of my negs. I think you deserve some AP's for that Joe, sorry I can't help you there, but. Kudos on the post...

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I wasn't saying it was a bad post

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>shakes head< It was not a matter of being a bad or good post, it was just presented upside down and haphazardly on my part. No biggie :)

Just a thing I learned from reading the threads. It seems like a lot of threads seem to leave the topic, and turn into a discussion on random events. This is also why alot of people seem to get negative points. I do not want to see that happen, and that is why I posted a link to the discussion of this topic, and because there was a full blown copy of the article, and I have seen a post recommending not to perform such activities. I also mentioned that. Is there anything about the Mandrake PC's that WalMart is selling that would be of interest to anyone in here? This would be a great topic to discuss. I know HP is starting to release Linux installed PC's, and besides for the price difference. I would like to here your honest opinion on why we should be interested in the Mandrake PC's from Walmart. I am not trying to start any conflicts. I would just like to see this thread put to use. Thank you for hearing me out.

The one problem with this is the computers they are going on. Have you seen these Microtel's? They are a throw back to the days of the Apple IIGs. They are a CPU/Monitor unit. That right there might be the down-fall. But that's just MHO.

As for linux being pre-installed on a system, it might be a good idea. However when installing Windows there isn't too much customization you can do, but with a distro of Linux a user has so much flexability as to what they install on their computer. Linux is quite versatile as an operating system both as a desktop and a server. With Windows pre-installed systems you know you're basically getting the same thing no matter what - a basic desktop system. I have been using Mandrake for about a year now alongside my windows machine and I have always preferred to install my own system on my terms, with the packages that I want and how I want it configured. And that's okay because I know a little bit about the OS and computers in general. It might be good for some people to get acquainted with Linux, but to be honest, Joe User might find it quite frustrating that there are so many things to choose from. Like I said before, Windows is pretty limited as to what comes with it and the populus is comfortable with it, but Linux is a whole different side of the coin. Who knows it might be a good idea, but for now I'll continue to build my own systems and install the OS myself.

-the eeshman

My 2 c/p

Don't they also sell "naked" boxes? Now this is also a good thing. Wooo Hooo now mainstream users don't get forced to buy a new copy of windows everytime they junk an old machine, and buy a new one.

(i have had 5 PCs in the last 3 years, and bought 7 Windows OS's)

but I digress

I think it's great that there is now a real opportunity to go out, and buy a linux box from a mainstream end user supplier. even if 75% of the users who buy the boxes then go out, and buy a copy of windows, they will still have had an exposure, and the remaining 25% will get a high quality reliable operating system for a fraction of the cost of windows.

I agree with the point about welcoming such users, even when they pop up with seemingly stupid questions that get asked over, and over again. As long as the seasoned Linux users who participate provide friendly and productive feedback / assistance (Even if it is through gritted teeth) then Linux gets that little bit of a lift.

The upshot of this is, as the new (esp the young) users today get exposure then they will go on to become the IT directors, and managers of tomorrow. This benefits the Linux fans as they will see better support, and who knows, maybe oneday we will start to see Linux becoming the mainstream Operating System of choice.

Another benifit is there will eventually be less MS Virus Farms (TM) about to send me copies of Klez

I'm not a huge Linux fan myself, but then the world needs saddos like me too.

Regards

its defenatly nice to see that people have a choice now. Nothing like paying for a computer wich includes the cost of an operating system that you dont even want

Hi all,
I think this is a great thing. Mandrake is a great distro for newbies with Windows experience.
You can point and click and drag and drop enough to get most basic functions done. The only
problem is that some of the software that comes with the distro may take some time and
some patience on the part of newbies (I still am a Linux newbie myself) to figure out. I hear
people talk about how easy Mandrake is. After you get used to it, it is. But when you first
get started some things are frustrating.

Still, I think this is a good thing (as Martha Stewart would say). I think the Linux distros should
play up it's virus resistance as a major selling point. This would be one way they can make some
major inroads into the Windows market.