Dell reverses position on Linux

Dell previously sold desktops — only the ones targeted at businesses, but they count — with Linux preinstalled.  These machines were withdrawn several years ago due to what Dell described as a lack of customer interest.  Today, only the Precision Workstation line still has Linux available.  The nSeries is available with no OS preinstalled — Linux or otherwise — which allows easy Linux installation for the tech-savvy.

Businesses might not be interested in preinstalled Linux, but Dell found out through their IdeaStorm site that there is definitely customer interest.  As a result, they say they are already in talks with Novell and publishers of other Linux distributions for possible future preinstallation on Dell PCs.

Which ones will make the cut?  My guess is that Suse is a done deal, since it has backing from Novell and a pledge from Microsoft not to sue.  This only applies to the commercial (paid) version, of course.  Red Hat on the desktop is also likely, since there’s an existing support organization for it.  As for OpenSUSE, Fedora, and the all-important Ubuntu?  Maybe, maybe not.  Ubuntu is the real toss-up, since it’s a community-oriented distro with a (paid) support organization, which makes it unique of the three.  OpenSUSE and Fedora are related to their big brother distros, but that isn’t the same as “supported.”

Then again, Dell may surprise us.  It’s entirely possible that they will offer to install any of four or five community-oriented Linux distros for the usual ~$15 fee, without charging anything for the actual software.

In any case, bravo to Dell for making desktop Linux to the masses a priority!

Urge Dell to install Linux at Dell Ideastorm

Dell started the Ideastorm site presumably to get feedback from Joe and Joeanne Consumer about what they want from Dell. It’s a smart move, since Dell has lost a bit of ground as the Number One American PC manufacturer, with HP taking back that coveted spot. HP can easily point to its enhanced visibility and popularity with consumers, since Dell has a huge base in the corporate office, but is much less visible in the home.

The number one idea at Ideastorm is to install Linux on Dell PCs. You can do your part by voting for this idea (no registration necessary to vote). Dell has been providing Linux servers for quite some time, and has previously provided Linux-based desktops (although now only the Precision line is available with Linux), so they already have some Linux expertise in-house. Your vote might help to give them a nudge toward providing preinstalled Linux once again.

P.S. – The n-series desktops that have been featured in recent news articles have been available for years. The n-series notebooks are newer. Just so you know.

Four more years! Four more years!

MSNBC announced that they’ve signed Keith Olbermann, host of Countdown, to a contract that lasts through 2011.  That gives us time for 3,120 Worst Persons in the World, assuming Keith doesn’t get sick, receive any mail from terrorists, or take a single day of vacation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Today is my mommy’s birthday. I’ll be sending her a sympathy card later, because she’s very, very old. >:->

6-foot-10 of good lookin’ gay man

And another pro athlete comes out of the closet.  I wonder if this will make it easier for others to do the same.  What am I saying?  Every time this happens it triggers a flood of new announcements.

Bravo to John Amaechi for his honesty.

So who’s next?