Dell + Linux = Warm and Fuzzy

Looks as though Linux on mainstream Dell computers is a done deal. They won’t tell us which distro(s) they have picked for the new venture, but I’d be willing to bet on at least the Big Three: Ubuntu (new kid on the block, but very popular, with commercial support), OpenSUSE (also new, but with commercial roots and a commercial parent), and Fedora (older than the others, but springing from Red Hat and with big daddy Red Hat oversight). There could be other versions as well, but these would be merely pleasant surprises.

The big Circuit City letdown

When I first heard about Circuit City firing workers because they made too much money (the company uses the cheerful euphemism, “wage management initiative”), I was somewhat skeptical. I thought it couldn’t possibly affect any of the truly highest-paid workers; it would only affect the people on the front lines.

Whadd’ya know, I was right. Anyone making a measly 51 cents or more per hour over their arbitrary cutoff amount was invited to leave the store. This leaves the newer and lower-paid employees to handle customers. So in a way, CC has sacrificed the big fish and left the little fish alone.

Battlestar will battle on

Ah, it’s like manna from heaven.  Battlestar Galactica has been renewed for a full 20 episodes next season, plus a two-hour movie.  The original was a standard 13-episode order.  I guess it proves that somebody over at NBCUniversal is more interested in quality than in just counting eyeballs.  Or maybe they’re just hoping to see Jamie Bamber naked… or turning gay.  Either way, it’s a good thing.  Fox already has the LCD crowd.

Dell considering its Linux options

Not only are the folks at Dell considering their Linux options, but they are asking for your input (again). First came IdeaStorm, where the cry for Linux was so loud that Dell felt compelled to respond. Now we discover that the cry was so loud that they are considering more than just one or two distributions for factory installations on Dell PCs.

We’re not just talking the business-oriented OptiPlex and Latitude series anymore. They’re also including Inspiron, Dimension, and the high-powered XPS line in the survey.

You can weigh in on your support for Ubuntu (hint, hint) by visiting http://www.dell.com/linuxsurvey and filling out the survey. Although Dell lists Ubuntu as a community-supported distro, business-minded folks should remember that it’s a hybrid: Ubuntu has commercial support available, and thus should be included in both the commercial and community categories. Other choices include SUSE (but not OpenSUSE), RedHat, and Fedora. Go ahead and cast your vote for any of these (pick Ubuntu!), or use the “Other” option and use a write-in candidate.

If you’re not an Ubuntu fan, you should still vote for your favorite. It’s more important that Dell receive good information about the real desire for factory-installed Linux options — without requiring any Microsoft products — than that any particular distribution gets a vote.

Just in case anybody at Dell happens to read this post (or similar posts elsewhere), allow me to give you a quick pat on the back for listening to your customers and responding to our desire for real choice. You have a real chance to set the industry pace here; don’t waste that opportunity!

edit:  The Dell survey is open until March 23.

I have nothing against the cast and crew of The Black Donnellys

It’s true.  I harbor absolutely no ill will toward the cast and crew of The Black Donnellys on NBC.  I’m sure it’s a fine show, and I’m sure that they’ve all put a great deal of heart and talent into creating said fine show.

I’m still pleased that the show appears to be quickly failing.  NBC’s failure to stand by Studio 60 means that I’m perfectly delighted to note that viewers have left the new show far more quickly than they left poor, strugging 60.

I think the message is fairly clear:  it’s the time slot, stupid.  The answer, obviously, would be to sandwich Studio 60 (or TBD) between the successful Howie Mandell’s “What the hell is in the briefcase, darling?” and the surprise hit Heroes.  Unfortunately, both 60 and TBD are well-made adult shows, and airing them at the earlier time would mean the necessity of sanitizing them for a less-sophisticated, childlike audience.  Obviously we can’t have that.

If I have to sit through another fucking (lack of) talent show because the networks can’t be bothered to allow the creative types to do any work, I swear I’ll be buying a big gun and climbing to the top of the tallest building in town for some target practice.  Obviously, this doesn’t pertain to Fox, which abhors creative projects, preferring lowest-common-denominator talent shows.

Face it, NBC:  maybe you’ll have to settle for quality over quantity.  Or maybe you haven’t noticed your own ads?