On Thu, Sep 10, 2009 at 7:32 PM, Donkyhotay <[email protected]> wrote:
> Unfortunately the big box stores aren't going to want to push linux > because it isn't profitable. People know windows, and even if they don't > like it, it's what they want because it's what they know. Also, if > people move to linux then they learn about the advantages of FOSS and > learn how many great open source alternative programs exist out there. > If people learn about open source software then they are less likely to > purchase proprietary software. By selling a linux computer the, the big > box store my make the same amount of money as they would selling a > windows computer, but they lose the opportunity to sell them proprietary > software. Chances are if someone uses linux then they are unlikely to > also purchase, an anti-virus & MSoffice & photo editing software & big > name game titles & finance software and pretty much all the other little > programs that are needed to flesh out a windows install but come free on > linux. Most people buy all this stuff because they don't even know that > are non-proprietary alternatives out there, many of which run on > windows. If people never know or even hear about FOSS, or only hear > about it in a bad way then they won't be tempted to try it and will > continue to buy proprietary software for the rest of their lives. In > regards to the problem with it being 'harder' then windows I feel this > is subjective. I've found that teaching someone to use linux that has > used windows or osX for any length of time is difficult mostly because > they need to unlearn all the bad habits they've picked up. On the other > hand if starting with someone that has never used a computer before in > their life it's pretty easy to teach them how to perform basic functions > on linux such as web browsing, Email, word processing, etc. Also in > regards to the 'linux invalidates the HP warranty' discussion, I > currently do HP tech support and as of right now, installing linux does > not invalidate the warranty but in order to recieve technical support > you would have to reformat/reinstall the original version of windows the > computer came with. This isn't just for linux either though, this is > true even with another windows based OS, if you buy a computer that > comes with vista and install XP (or windows7) on it, the system would > need to be formatted and the original OEM OS reinstalled to recieve > technical support. > > > Do not be afraid to joust a giant just because some people believe in > windmills. > > > David Kaplan wrote: > > Here's the latest Blog of Helios. > > http://www.linuxlock.blogspot.com/ > > > > Ken points out that Best Buy, Office Depot and others are lying to people > > about Linux so they only think to buy Windows 7. > > > > Maybe it's time to speak with some of these managers make them aware of > > their misinformation. I'll bring my laptop w/ Ubuntu on it and give them > a > > demo so they can see for themselves what Linux is, because most employees > > and managers are ignorant of Linux and it's time they did know the truth. > > > > Dave > > _______________________________________________ > > PLUG mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug > > > _______________________________________________ > PLUG mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug > I'm not responding specifically to any posts on this discussion so far but I think the reasoning behind it has to do with Google releasing Chrome next year at some point. Drew- _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
