Its obvious this young woman is completely genuine and is simply frustrated.
She didn't get what she was expecting and doesn't want Ubuntu. That's
completely understandable. As a GNU/Linux user, I don't want to force anyone
to use the system I use; nor would I want anyone to be talked into using
GNU/Linux when they don't want to. Dell should give this woman what she wants
and what she paid for.
The irony is the situation is actually the other way around. As a student you
are often expected, and sometimes even required, to use proprietary software.
So when you're doing class work, completing assignments or projects, and
sharing work with other teachers and students, you are expected to use
proprietary, usually Microsoft Office, software. This is completely
unacceptable, and the use of free software alternatives should be offered and
encouraged.
Also I notice the reporter, in the original report, got a few important facts
wrong. While talking about word processing, the reporter says something like
.... "Ubuntu comes with OpenOffice, not Word, like Windows". No Windows
operating sysytem comes with a full version of Word. You have to purchase
that separately, as part of MS Office. The price from Dell would be about an
extra $100. Also he says OpenOffice is not compatible with Word, and it is,
all all versions. In fact, OpenOffice and LibreOffice has an advantage. It
can open and edit the new Office 2010 .docx format, whereas older MS Office
versions need an extra plug-in just to open the file.
